Post by Dutch Owen on Oct 16, 2012 8:16:33 GMT -5
Most of the stories I post here are near-disasters or problems overcome, I thought I'd post something a bit more "normal".
Last night I was doing a final check on the new FCDU and took it out for a PAX run from Fairbanks (PAFA) to Pitka (PAGA) and back.
Fairbanks was in a blizzard with driving snow and pressure so low I nearly got carpal tunnel adjusting the altimeter - 29.24 (that's 990 MB). Visibility 1/2 mile at best and taxiways so slick we had to taxi verrrrry slow. Nice takeoff and we broke out into bright sunlight.
The cabin crew got to work fast on the service, with 146 PAX on a one-hour hop, but they got it done with time to spare.
On the descent towards Pitka we transitioned from the front and the pressure climbed up to near normal. If ATC was really the nice guys they claim to be they'd have told me about the altimeter change before they bitched about my altitude...ah well.
Nice easy visual approach to Pitka (an uncontrolled field) but I was my usual over-cautious self and extended the downwind too much. Result: one lousy minute late! One! Lost points to that.
Did a lazy turnaround (I love GSX with its trucks and people swarming around the A/C loading and doing things.) Loaded up another big load (143) and off again, right up over the GAL VOR about two miles from the runway and back towards the blizzard.
Weather reported below company minimums in Fairbanks. Divert was authorized, but I figured the PAX were being nice to me so I'd give'em a chance to get into their destination rather than all the way down to PANC. Save the company money too. I should get a bonus.
Straight-in approach to 1L (RC will vector you straight in, unlike default which will insist on vectoring you way out and back in again). Engine anti-ice on. Clouds were so dark I had to turn on the floods to see all the instruments. Visibility zero.
The Maddog took us in on the beam perfectly. I don't trust its autoland (it once nearly killed us by banking sharply during the flare) so I never use it. Got the rabbit right before MDA. Took over and cruised in for a gentle, perfect landing. PAX applause after we exited the runway -- always nice to hear!
Enjoyed the music while slowly rolling to the gate (I have replaced the standard elevator music with stuff more to my taste.) The PAX were glad we were assigned to a gate with a jetway ... Acme will often stick us out in the boonies of the airport with a bus puttering nearby. "Frugal" they say. "Cheap" I say.
Very nice score in very difficult conditions. All in all a very satisflying feeling. And the FCDU performed without a serious hitch.
I hope you enjoy this hobby as much as I sometimes do. I'm glad FSCaptain is a part of that.
Dutch
Last night I was doing a final check on the new FCDU and took it out for a PAX run from Fairbanks (PAFA) to Pitka (PAGA) and back.
Fairbanks was in a blizzard with driving snow and pressure so low I nearly got carpal tunnel adjusting the altimeter - 29.24 (that's 990 MB). Visibility 1/2 mile at best and taxiways so slick we had to taxi verrrrry slow. Nice takeoff and we broke out into bright sunlight.
The cabin crew got to work fast on the service, with 146 PAX on a one-hour hop, but they got it done with time to spare.
On the descent towards Pitka we transitioned from the front and the pressure climbed up to near normal. If ATC was really the nice guys they claim to be they'd have told me about the altimeter change before they bitched about my altitude...ah well.
Nice easy visual approach to Pitka (an uncontrolled field) but I was my usual over-cautious self and extended the downwind too much. Result: one lousy minute late! One! Lost points to that.
Did a lazy turnaround (I love GSX with its trucks and people swarming around the A/C loading and doing things.) Loaded up another big load (143) and off again, right up over the GAL VOR about two miles from the runway and back towards the blizzard.
Weather reported below company minimums in Fairbanks. Divert was authorized, but I figured the PAX were being nice to me so I'd give'em a chance to get into their destination rather than all the way down to PANC. Save the company money too. I should get a bonus.
Straight-in approach to 1L (RC will vector you straight in, unlike default which will insist on vectoring you way out and back in again). Engine anti-ice on. Clouds were so dark I had to turn on the floods to see all the instruments. Visibility zero.
The Maddog took us in on the beam perfectly. I don't trust its autoland (it once nearly killed us by banking sharply during the flare) so I never use it. Got the rabbit right before MDA. Took over and cruised in for a gentle, perfect landing. PAX applause after we exited the runway -- always nice to hear!
Enjoyed the music while slowly rolling to the gate (I have replaced the standard elevator music with stuff more to my taste.) The PAX were glad we were assigned to a gate with a jetway ... Acme will often stick us out in the boonies of the airport with a bus puttering nearby. "Frugal" they say. "Cheap" I say.
Very nice score in very difficult conditions. All in all a very satisflying feeling. And the FCDU performed without a serious hitch.
I hope you enjoy this hobby as much as I sometimes do. I'm glad FSCaptain is a part of that.
Dutch
