Kasper 14 Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 It is never easy coming in as a replacement pilot. You do not know the route, fly with an unknown crew, barely have time to prepare and you got to make it on time because others are depending on you to get the job done. When you are flying in place of a fine writer like Jessica in the ATWC - that adds to the pressure. You'd better do it right! So while I am no Jessica and my 737 is no Lenore off we go to Lanzarote. The B737-800 waiting to get to Lanzarote It all began on the morning of the 7th. Mikael was calling "We need a replacement pilot right about NOW. We have a stranded 737 at Rabat and it needs to go to Lanzarote. Can you make it?" Not being anywhere in the neighborhood that would not be easy, but I could use the flight time in a 737 - I was up for the simulator ride shortly - so I said "Sure, when does it have to be in Lanzarote?" The answer Wednesday was not very comforting. Between getting to Rabat and leaving for Lanzarote that would leave me exactly zero time to prepare for the Baby Boeing. Having spend a lot of time in propliners and the A320 lately that would leave me depending on my fading memories and the skills of the rest of the crew. I sure hoped the copilot was half decent! The first thing I noticed when getting to Rabat was: No Brett! Since I needed the baton quickly to avert the rowdy pax stripping the interior of the plane that was an issue. So I called in some favors from the locals and sure enough Brett was found in a shady place clinging to the Baton. After the locals talked Brett into releasing the Baton they dropped it off and I could make the 737 ready to leave. Since the plane was temporarily parked 'out of the way' I had no external power and I did the whole preflight on APU power. Not the standard procedure since you burn extra fuel but we had little choice. Luckily the copilot had done the flight planning and preparation. I only had to check the calculations and order the fuel. The loadsheet Then we could finally tell the crew to get the pax seated - we were ready to go, and judging from the noise from the cabin: not a minute too soon! We had a long way to taxi but finally we were ready to take-off. The tower gave permission and off went. I always stand in awe of the power of the modern passenger jets, and this time was not different. The amount of power and the acceleration is just staggering! Climbing out After hand flying the jet up to 10000 ft it was time to let the auto pilot / auto throttle do it's thing. I was very relieved that the had flying worked out OK. The copilot looked happy giving every indication that I did all right - for a replacement pilot. Of course she was comparing me with her regular captain and I knew I would not win that comparison. But I felt pretty happy myself and settled in for the short period of auto flight. Cruising Everything went alright and with a little touch of speed brake the descent to Lanzarote was perfect. And then I took control for the landing and that was not so good. I made the rookie mistake of disabling the auto pilot without disabling the auto throttle. Now in the A320 I fly regularly that is not an issue. You just pull back to idle and the AT disengages itself - NOT so in a Boeing! Coming in much to fast I had to go around and then the copilot said: "Would it be a good idea to set the speed for the AT or disengage it?" She had a mischievous smile that said: Amateur! And all my warm cozy feelings were gone in a hurry. Go Around! But I decided to really nail the manual landing the next time, and to my amazement I did! On the center line The smile grew less mischievous and I felt I regained some ground. Anyway it was very good training for the simulator. Now I just have to hand the Baton to Brian and I can head home to study the 737 books. I'll need it! Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Godden 934 Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Kasper, Nice last minute pick up. A great story to fit the situation and some great shots with a beautiful landing to wipe the smiles of the smug faces of the "virtual crew". Cheers Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,285 Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Excellent story and pic's Kasper. A big thanks goes out to you for filling in and doing such a great job on the flight. At least you finally showed the co-pilot how a real pilot does a flyover before landing in an unfamiliar airport. Hope to catch up with you later on during the challenge. I feel bad about not getting to meet you. I'm not sure but I think they spiked the 'one' drink I had. Plus I was told your locals cleaned out my wallet. The bar was nice enough to give me a complimentary picture, although it got a little scratched at the bottom somehow. Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Godden 934 Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Great landing, Kasper. That's like having the last laugh. @ Brett - It doesn't look like your landing on the barroom floor was quite so good, but at least you managed to not lose the baton. John Link to post Share on other sites
Quickmarch 488 Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Great flight Kasper, I'm sympathetic as the PMDG 737-800 is currently occupying a lot of my time. I've finally got it through my head to hit the "Z" key at 1000AGL. Those go arounds sure take a lot of time (plenty of time to eat the crow). Well done filling in for Jess and finding the baton. Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Great flight Kasper, and thanks for stepping in with short notice. Actually I will be picking up the baton instead of Brian since he's currently busy giving his grand kids candy and encouraging their bad behavior (that's what grandparents does, isn't it ) Link to post Share on other sites
rosariomanzo 545 Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Very nice flight and commentary! Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Great flight Kasper! Link to post Share on other sites
DaveLeafNiles 0 Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Great story and good flying! Kind regards, Dave Link to post Share on other sites
UKJim 502 Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Great flight - I have the opposite problem than you; my regular planes are the Boeing's so I am used to the autopilot, FMC etc etc - I have recently purchased the Airbus X Extended and I can do everything apart from getting the autopilot to follow the altitude set on the FMC. I need to look further into it sure it is a user error Superb story telling and nice screens - I love the styling of the 737 with winglets but my favourite is the 736! It's like a go-kart how you can 'whip' it about Take it easy Jim Link to post Share on other sites
J G 927 Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Well done for stepping in so quickly! Great job in both the flying and the for saving the batton. It is luck those bad guys didn't know what they almost had! Link to post Share on other sites
Kasper 14 Posted October 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Aww Brett, I didn't know they had to convince you in that way! Sorry mate - next time we meet I'll buy you a beer! Micke I'll be waiting in the Airport Bar, 'sipping' a Carlsberg (the only beer on tap). Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted October 11, 2013 Report Share Posted October 11, 2013 Only Carlsberg on tap!!! Oh, the humanity... Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,487 Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 Well saved Kasper! A super PIREP, there will be a little extra in your pay packet this month, Ah, what the hell you can have it now..EXTRA Cheers... Joe Link to post Share on other sites
jaydor 345 Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 Loved the story, loved seeing Brett in his usual position, good to see I am not alone in the go around's. Thank you Kasper.. Link to post Share on other sites
rob16584 42 Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 Thanks for stepping in Kasper Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,010 Posted October 13, 2013 Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 Great Kasper, well done for stepping into the breach and getting down safely. Typical picture of Brett at the end too. Link to post Share on other sites
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