The Mad Dog âGrowlâ âApril / May 2006 Page 1 - Delta Virtual Airlines

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asked the attendant if she had any plastic wings for my kids. She promptly leaned into the cockpit and asked the Captain. He was more than happy to reach into his bag and retrieve some wings. While doing so he asked with a smile, “Are these really for your kids or for you?” I replied, “These are actually for my kids, but I’m an aviation enthusiast as well.” He smiled broadly and waved me up to the currently vacant First Officer’s seat. The Flight Attendant happily put my carry on bag in the galley area as I made my way into the seat. Remember to always be polite and courteous. Keep in mind that a cockpit visit is a privilege and not something “they” owe you because you hold a boarding pass for that flight. Express the fact that you are an aviation enthusiast and have a deep interest in commercial aviation. Sometimes it’s as simple as striking up a friendly conversation with one of the pilots as he waits at the gate. That’s actually what happened before the Orlando flight I mentioned earlier. The First Officer was reviewing the weather report at the gate area. I politely introduced myself and asked him about his predictions on the smoothness of the upcoming flight. Always keep in mind that they are “on the job”. I’ve never met a pilot that was rude or didn’t want to simply say hello. But make sure you aren’t getting in the way of him performing his job responsibilities. Sometimes a simple, “would you mind if I took a quick peek at the flight deck” works. If you get an unfavorable response, simply thank the pilot anyway and wish him a good flight. Don’t be a pest and begging does not help your cause. You never know, he may not be able to offer a quick look prior to the flight, be he may allow it once you arrive at your destination. The Captain seemed equally as excited about me being up there as I was. Once he discovered that my aircraft knowledge was a little greater than the average passenger, he was eager to discuss some of the more technical aspects of the 737 and went over the planned route which included a souvenir print out of the flight plan for the evening. We began discussing the world of VAs and FS when the First Officer returned with his dinner carry-out bag in hand. The conversation continued and the FO informed me that he was a former Delta MD-88 pilot. Needless to say, I was quite excited by this revelation and would have liked to spend more time chatting with him as well. Unfortunately, it was time for me to head back to my seat…way back to my seat. From the absolute first row of seats to the last row of seats. But not before the FO filled in as photographer for the evening and snapped a memorable shot. Finally, use your kids as an excuse if you have them with you. ☺ Regardless of whether or not you were granted access to the “front office”, always be sure to thank the flight crew for safely getting you from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. Not being a pilot, I really don’t have a first hand experience as to the daily life of a commercial pilot. Although, through conversations and written accounts, I have learned that the life of a pilot can be difficult and grueling. In many cases, it is a thankless profession. Make sure you show them that there are many of us who do appreciate what they do every day…and don’t forget about the cabin crew too! Unfortunately, flight deck visits have become a rarity due to security issues. But, from my point of view, such visits offer airlines a very positive customer relations opportunity and one that makes such airlines my first choice when planning trips. I’m often asked, “what’s the trick?” I don’t believe there is a trick, just some common sense guidelines you should follow if you ever desire to make such a visit. The Mad Dog “Growl” –April / May 2006 Page 8
Training Info From the Pro By: Larry Foltran Terry and I were surprised to receive a very unexpected e-mail in April (Terry actually received it, but he forwarded it to me ☺). The note came from Mr. R. Winston Whitlock Jr, MD-88/90 Flight Training Procedures Instructor for Delta Air Lines, in response to a recent Water Cooler Post. After receiving the go ahead from Terry, I decided to post Mr. Whitlock’s insight in the newsletter. I’m sure you’ll find it as educational as I did. In the Mad Dog, the easiest way to execute a manual descent, rather than the FMS is to use vertical speed. When given the new altitude use the pitch wheel, which is always armed. Slowly pitch the a/c to about 1500-2000FPM and let the a/c descend for passenger comfort. You don't want to float them in the aisles. FMS is great, especially if the area is busy (NE corridor) but I prefer manual descents. The FMS always wants to use the most economical airspeed V/S combo which might not be what ATC wants. Long cruise descents or crossing restrictions known in advance, fine but manual descents give me better control. The autothrottles will reduce power to maintain the desired V/S. Then push IAS which will "snapshot" the current airspeed into the former V/S window. The throttles should go to CLMP. The a/c will descend at the current cruise airspeed and with the throttles in CLMP (computer lockout manual power) you can then change your rate of descent with the throttles. Bring the throttles back to idle and watch the "green banana" on the nav display. Using the CLMPed throttles, put the banana about 5 miles shy of the E/D point (end of descent) which will allow you to get down a little early and then slow down. Be sure to update your command speed to whatever speed you want the A/C to assume when it levels off. As you approach your new altitude (usually about 2000 feet prior) either use IAS to reduce your airspeed or press V/S and reduce the vertical speed component. At ALT CAP, the a/c will resume the command speed selected. If descending to below 10,000 feet, most pilots will use IAS and V/S together. If descending in a manual (not fms) descent at cruise speed (IAS), set 240K in the command window. This gives you a 10K buffer. You can always speed up a bit. At about 13,000 feet, start slowing the aircraft down using IAS. ONLY if you might descend below 10,000 at above 250KIAS, then switch to V/S or hit altitude hold to keep from getting a "write down this phone number" from ATC. As you approach the airport, your goal is 10,000 AGL, 30 miles and 250KIAS. Slats can be extended at 280KIAS as well as FLAPS 11. Spoilers are NOT authorized with flaps or gear extended. Most ATC will not let you slow down until you are within 5 miles downwind. I will extend slats just to help with the drag as I get within 15 miles and need to come down and slow down. Once I get below 10,000, then I use V/S only and command speed bug. For 130,000lb aircraft, I suggest 210KIAS downwind (or LONG final) with slats extended. Base leg, flaps 11 and 185, on long final you can, if ATC will let you, flaps 15 and 165 but I prefer to keep the speed up. At glide slope alive - Gear down/ flaps 15 and speed 155. 1/2 dot to glide slope, flaps 40, command speed which is vref+5K if the autothottles are working. Final will be at about 137 or so. R. Winston Whitlock, Jr. Chairman's Club 2004 MD88/90 Flight Training Procedures Instructor Delta Air Lines, Inc. I would like to thank Mr. Whitlock once again for taking the time to write in and offer this very unique opportunity to learn from a professional Mad Dog pilot. I sincerely hope he will offer his expertise in the future. I’m sure I speak for all of us in saying that we always welcome such insight and are eager to learn more about how the real pilots fly this amazing aircraft. When climbing or descending using IAS, think of the IAS window as the "going to" airspeed and the command speed as the "after you get there" airspeed. Always plan on updating the command speed. The Mad Dog “Growl” –April / May 2006 Page 9
Page 1 and 2: The Mad Dog “Growl” -April / Ma
Page 3 and 4: MD88/90 Program News New MD-88/90 M
Page 5 and 6: Only 180 more C-17 planes remain on
Page 7: Flight Deck Visits By: Larry Foltra
Page 11 and 12: To counteract this, you will need t
Page 13 and 14: I was fiddling with the throttles a
Page 15 and 16: Flight Spotlight - CVG to YYZ by: L
Page 17 and 18: unways, because I landed on 23. As
Page 19 and 20: • Flt Controls, “TEST” - Pilo

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The Mad Dog âGrowlâ âApril / May 2006 Page 1 - Delta Virtual Airlines