Geek in the Cockpit - Latest Comments

Re: It had to end at some point

plpope — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:38:41 -0000

Yesterday I was on a flight from Houston to Omaha and apparently the ground crew loaded too much fuel. Consequently, we taxied out to the end of the runway, but then sat off to the side while the captain ran the engines up to burn off the excess. We probably sat there about 15 minutes, and I couldn't help wonder why on earth didn't he simply fly lower or climb at a slower rate instead of making us sit there. Is this technique normal???

Re: “I flew with a bunch of nut jobs”

geekinthecockpit — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:39:05 -0000

I am not required to keep a cell phone. Reserves have to have some phone number on file for communication. It can be a cell phone, home phone or even a pager. Funny story, a few years ago a pilot bought a 1-900 number and used it for his contact. He MADE quite a bit of money from the company as there was no restriction in the contract stating he couldn't do it. He changed it after repeated request from the Union.

The company does not help pay for cell phones and thus I see them calling me (especially as a line holder) as a luxury for them. I use Google Voice to screen their calls anyway.

Re: “I flew with a bunch of nut jobs”

Daniel Evans — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:11:37 -0000

I have a question for you. Are you required to maintain a cell phone and if so, are you given an allowance for that?

Just curious. thanks!

Re: So close…but sick

Dave Willis — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:04:11 -0000

Hi there, sorry to hear you're a bit under the weather! You better make Saturday, no one ever believes you are sick on new year's eve!

Have a great new year and thanks for the great blog....

Dave from the UK

Re: Look…now with photos!

Daniel Evans — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:09:34 -0000

Nice pictures! Keep them coming. I'd call those mountains, but I'm an easterner.

Re: Making money

Krzysztof Dymicki — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:16:56 -0000

Oh my God! Such money in a month is great!

And you wrote than local passenger pilot is not very good paid job.

And many goods are even much cheaper there
than in my country!

PS.
As somebody stated for gasoline in Europe:
"I have money for gasoline, I only don't have f**ing 70% for taxes on it!"

Re: 2 days off

Paul Birkbeck — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:18:39 -0000

Hey so I used to be in the Navy and my wife didn't deal with it very well, is it very stressful being gone alot

Re: 2 days off

geekinthecockpit — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:23:39 -0000

Thanks, but my wife has zero interesting in blogging. She had a blog for a while and just got bored with it. Tech isn't her thing.

Re: 2 days off

Paul Birkbeck — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:18:44 -0000

Hey so I am interested in becoming a pilot also, my wife thinks it would be cool if your wife did a blog from a pilot wife's perspective. Love the blog by the way, my wife thinks I am crazy for checking your blog everyday lol

Re: Worn out

Dave Willis — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:38:39 -0000

Well I'm tired just reading.....!

Enjoy your break!

Dave from the UK

Re: Well played indeed

John-Paul Facey — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 04:16:22 -0000

Your going to love the A20...been using mine for 4 months and I love it. Will you be able to hook up your MP3 player and listen to music while you work?:)
Before I bought the A20 I was close to getting the Seinheiser digital, which also looks like a pretty sweet headset. I understand they are not TSO which is why I ended up going with the A20. Have fun!

Re: It had to end at some point

geekinthecockpit — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 08:14:54 -0000

Hi Dave,
I started on Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 when I was just 12 years old. I've been simming ever since. Love it!
Yes we use the onboard FMS/FMC to ESTIMATE landing weight. It's somewhat accurate, but we have to use real world/seat of the pants calculations as well. We might be assigned a specific arrival procedure but know we won't do the entire thing which affects fuel burn. I've had to put out the flaps and flight spoilers 100 miles out and descend early to burn off excess fuel. Sometimes being "green" and saving fuel hurts way more than helps.
Dispatch only gets involved when planning the flight. Once we are off the gate it's all up to us.

Re: It had to end at some point

Dave Willis — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:35:30 -0000

Hi there,

I've only recently found your blog and am enjoying your detailed descriptions of life on the line and in the cockpit!

I am a simmer and enjoy all the detail regarding altitudes, fuel and speeds etc - I have a question about your adjustment in altitude to bring the fuel/weight down to landing max, are you watching the forecast weight on the flight computer to know when you are on the money, is dispatch advising you or do you just make a best guess with paper and pencil?

As said, great blog...

Dave from the UK

Re: New headset on the way

Cody — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:08:03 -0000

I've had my A20's since earlier this year I think they're absolutely great. They do a great job and I really like the fit. The Citation Mustang I fly with my boss has Telex 850's. I don't like them at all. Lately I've just been bringing my Bose instead. Sort of overkill because the plane's so quite, but I like the fit so much better. Sounds weird but the 850's kill my head for some reason.

Re: New headset on the way

geekinthecockpit — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:17:27 -0000

Hmmm heavy isn't good. I like the passive ANR improvements over the Aviation....will be interesting.

Re: New headset on the way

duece19 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:21:38 -0000

Just got the A20 for use in a 737 and it is amazing! Somewhat heavy, but it´s so so quiet!

Re: It had to end at some point

Daniel Evans — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:05:27 -0000

It's nice to hear that you are having a relatively easy IOE. I enjoy the stories and am looking forward to more.

Re: Day one….not too shabby

Geek — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:11:45 -0000

On the new plane I will be in the top 1/3 of seniority. I am commuting right now ONLY for IOE. By getting my IOE in another base I will be done faster and thus be able to bid for a line for December and avoid reserve. My hotel cost for the trip are all paid for by the airline. I could have waited to do IOE in my base, but it would have meant more time sitting on the coach waiting for a slot to open and being on reserve in December.

Re: Day one….not too shabby

Richard Womer — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:58:50 -0000

So, this new plane... what advantages does it have for you? It seems you're still commuting.

Re: Another career changer Regional pilot blog

Don Rieck — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:08:17 -0000

I enjoyed reading his tales of training all the way through to training for the right seat. Unfortunately based on his last blog post from August it seems like he hung up his wings after busting his checkrides twice. It actually takes a lot of guts to walk away from something you worked so hard for, but based on his last blog post it was probably the right decision. Thanks again for the link - good reading.

Re: Holding….EFC 3-5 days

cedarglen — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:49:15 -0000

Yes! What else needs to be said? Just a resounding, YES!! Hang in there... -C.

Re: Check ride day

cedarglen — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:02:54 -0000

Congratulations! You will do just fine. Why? You have a great advantage over many others. You understand WHY your automatic airplane is doing what it is doing or reporting those strange error messages. You understand the systems and what those messages mean - in functional terms. Yes, I'm confident that you could fly your airplane without those autoMAGIC systems if necessary. How many pf today's jet drivers can make that claim? I'm looking forward to your end of training summary. -C.

Re: Questions Answered: What is a V1 Cut?

cedarglen — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:56:17 -0000

Excellent summary. For the rank novice, I'd add that the "V" is not an arbritray letter but means "Velocity" and in this case the measured rate of forward motion. For really simple folks like me, it is the Speedometer reading. Duh? I've heard a lot of experienced pilots also add very practical thoughts like: If you have a problem after "V1" remember that **you are still going flying,** so use some of that remaining runway to achieve a 'stable and secure' Vr or V2 speed before actually pulling back on the stick. Other enphasize both stable V2 and stable yaw correction before the Vr pull-back. In the end, it is one of the most critical periods of flight and the progression of events and pilot actions happen VERY quickly. Even the smartest of the very experienced (high-cycle) pilots consider it White Knuckle time and most look forward to simulator practice of these critical seconds. The really smart ones apparently have a plan for every second of the event and, as you noted, thoroughly brief their plan before the take-off roll begins. While I know that the major carriers frown on adjusting their official numbers, I've heard of some experienced captains that include their own fudge factor by adjusting the "V" numbers by a few knots, if only mentally. As everyone notes, there are few reasons to not fly after V1 so make it a good flight! Great post, thanks! -C.

Re: Questions Answered: What is a V1 Cut?

Matthias Künneth — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:24:30 -0000

got it. Thank you very much.

Re: The most unreliable jet in the world

Geek — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:45:52 -0000

Here ya go Matthias http://geekinthecockpit.com/ar...