Airplane Review (Boeing 747-400) by a Pilot : A first for Team-BHP!

delhi2009 · 6th April 2009, 19:30

Although offtopic, here's a funny side to flying these big machines, i found some interesting ATC Conversations have included here for everyone to have a good

*******
From an unknown aircraft waiting in a very long takeoff queue: "I'm absolutely bored!"

Ground Traffic Control: "Last aircraft transmitting, identify yourself immediately!"

Unknown aircraft: "I said I was absolutely bored, not absolutely stupid!"
*******

A DC-10 had come in a little fast and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down.

San Jose Tower Noted: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able.

If you are not able, take the Guadalupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport."
*******

Tower: "TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 degrees."

TWA 2341: "Center, we are at 35,000 feet.

How much noise can we make up here?"

Tower: "Sir, have you ever heard the noise a

747 makes when it hits a 727?"
*******

The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one's gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them. So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways 747, call sign: Speedbird 206.

Speedbird 206: "Frankfurt, Speedbird 206! Clear of active runway."

Ground: "Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."

The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.

Ground: "Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?"

Speedbird 206: "Stand by, Ground, I'm looking up our gate location now."

Ground (with quite arrogant impatience):

"Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?"

Speedbird 206 (coolly): "Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark, --

And I didn't land." !!!!!!!!
***********

Enjoy !

delhi2009 · 6th April 2009, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by vijaycool

I have this silly doubt for quite some time. How you start these big engine? Does this have any starter motor to turn the engine main shaft? How the engine will start from ground without high air pressure from the compressor. 10 tonnes per hour of fuel. Wondering how large the fuel pump is

Here you go

: HowStuffWorks "How do they start jet engines on airplanes?" .

Starting of a DC-3

YouTube - How to start a DC-3

MudMover · 6th April 2009, 20:27

A pilot's review is always a good read. Nice to hear from you flyboy747 and thanks for sharing your experience.

I too wanted to be a pilot (in the IAF) but couldn't do so due to medical reasons, so now I'm a big flight-sim freak and 'fly' every other day till the early hours (much to my wife's distress!)

!! I feel Flight-sim gaming is pretty good for building mental discipline and quick decision-making unlike the usual car race games. I think it's had a positive influence on my driving as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyboy747

As one of my first instructors had told me – never let an airplane take you to a place where your mind has not gone 5 minutes before..

Very true in driving as well as per my experience, except that in driving I feel your mind just needs to go about 5-10 seconds ahead.

cherishk · 6th April 2009, 22:28

With so much sophistication in place and since much of the plane is computer controlled I wanted to know where human interference is must - i mean can airplanes run without pilots?

Stratos · 6th April 2009, 23:02

Awesome review! The Boeing 747-400 has always been my ultimate favorite. Even today, when the A380 somewhat dwarfs the 747, I still prefer the 747. I live in San Jose and we do not get any heavies here other than the DC10,MD10/MD11,767 and A300 Cargo. But there are rare times when a couple of 747-SPs land and they are worth seeing!

Thad E Ginathom · 7th April 2009, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

... ...An auto pilot just like any system can fail sometime

I'm sure we all remember Otto Pilot needing to be re-inflated in the film, Airplane!

Excellent thread. Gripping stuff. I'm looking forward to more.

Can we have more about takeoff please?

abhinav.gupta88 · 7th April 2009, 01:01

An Amazing review.
I have played Flight Simulator X and flying a plane is not as easy as it seems.
Kudos to you.
Cheers!

rods2580 · 7th April 2009, 10:05

Hello Flyboy, thanx for sharing the experience, you must be getting a lot of rush everytime you get in there. Yes some pictures would be wonderful to see.

palioman · 7th April 2009, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajesh Rawal

awesome stuff man! as sideways mentioned me too wanted to be a pilot but thanks to me being extra brilliant in pcm subjects(managed to get only passing marks) could never realize my dream

all i do now is fly as a passenger in the economy class.lol

Hey ,you don't have to be brilliant to be a pilot !
all you've got to do is pass your tenth, nowadays it's 12th..probably a graduate in science is a plus, but not necessary.
Qualification requirement 1. Lots of money for the lessons, though some flying clubs in India fudge on this.
2. An influential person to allow a window of opportunity..probably a father as captain or some honcho in the airlines or political connections.
A Commercial pilots license is the bare minimum accquired after 200 flying hours, earlier it was 250.
I hate to be a party pooper but, being a pilot does not, repeat ,does not require above average IQs..just average.
Before anyone flames me, I am qualified on the Boeing 777.
But I just loove cars, and bikes.

flyboy747 · 7th April 2009, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by palioman

Hey ,you don't have to be brilliant to be a pilot !
all you've got to do is pass your tenth, nowadays it's 12th..probably a graduate in science is a plus, but not necessary.
-------------------------
Before anyone flames me, I am qualified on the Boeing 777.
But I just loove cars, and bikes.

@palioman.. very well said.

raul · 7th April 2009, 20:24

I know on a day to day basis as a profession it could probably be just another day at work for pilots but for those of us who wanted to become pilots but didn't/couldn't the wanderlust, going to so many new places, which motivates it and the excitement of planes and flying will never die, even though becoming a pilot may not quench these desires in the way we had envisaged, so its nice to get these perspectives from flyboy.

I don't necessarily thing being a pilot is great or requires a lot of intelligence but its what I wanted to do once and its great to read the review and the other titbits. A very good thread for folks like me.

Thad E Ginathom · 7th April 2009, 20:30

palioman, I don't doubt much of what you say, you're the man with the experience, but I think you under-rate your own abilities.

Maybe it is not as delicate a job as being a heart surgeon, but he has only one life at a time in his hands.

OK, so maybe flying a plane is something one can learn and practice, like driving a car, riding a bike, or sailing a boat, but there is no way I am going to kill 300 people if I make a mistake taking the car out of the drive, and when I used to sail a bit, I sometimes used to think that the navigation that I might hum and hah about for a few minutes (numbers were never my strong point) has to be done by a pilot in seconds.

So I'm still cheering for the pilots!

SkyCougar · 7th April 2009, 20:51

I was initially surprised to see this thread but then as an aviator really appreciated all subsequent posts. An aircraft review would actually entail no mean detailing and bring a lot of technical stuff to fore but hats off by keeping it simple.

Flying and driving have one thing in common, you can't mix drinking in either. 12 hrs is the rule.
Safe driving and happy landings.

harry10 · 7th April 2009, 21:52

Awesome!
Logging in after 4 days so a bit late in the read up but worth every line!
There were many things i didn't know about 747 and flying.
Thanks everyone for the inputs.
Like many others being a pilot was a dream couldn't accomplished due to weak eyesight but glad to see the review from a pilots view.
Thanks and cheers!

P.S- Completely agree with you Palioman.

madhokritesh · 7th April 2009, 23:20

This is turing out to be One of the Best Threads on TBHP. Go on guys.

6th April 2009, 19:30	#91
delhi2009 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 114 Thanked: 24 Times	Although offtopic, here's a funny side to flying these big machines, i found some interesting ATC Conversations have included here for everyone to have a good ***** From an unknown aircraft waiting in a very long takeoff queue: "I'm absolutely bored!" Ground Traffic Control: "Last aircraft transmitting, identify yourself immediately!" Unknown aircraft: "I said I was absolutely bored, not absolutely stupid!" *** A DC-10 had come in a little fast and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down. San Jose Tower Noted: "American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Guadalupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to the airport." *** Tower: "TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 degrees." TWA 2341: "Center, we are at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?" Tower: "Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?" *** The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one's gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them. So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways 747, call sign: Speedbird 206. Speedbird 206: "Frankfurt, Speedbird 206! Clear of active runway." Ground: "Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven." The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop. Ground: "Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?" Speedbird 206: "Stand by, Ground, I'm looking up our gate location now." Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): "Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?" Speedbird 206 (coolly): "Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark, -- And I didn't land." !!!!!!!! ********* Enjoy ! Last edited by Jaggu : 6th April 2009 at 20:22. Reason: Language used, please go through forum announcments. thanks
	(1) Thanks

6th April 2009, 22:28	#94
cherishk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 94 Thanked: 0 Times	With so much sophistication in place and since much of the plane is computer controlled I wanted to know where human interference is must - i mean can airplanes run without pilots?
	() Thanks

6th April 2009, 23:02	#95
Stratos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,609 Thanked: 1,449 Times View My Garage	Awesome review! The Boeing 747-400 has always been my ultimate favorite. Even today, when the A380 somewhat dwarfs the 747, I still prefer the 747. I live in San Jose and we do not get any heavies here other than the DC10,MD10/MD11,767 and A300 Cargo. But there are rare times when a couple of 747-SPs land and they are worth seeing!
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 01:01	#97
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	An Amazing review. I have played Flight Simulator X and flying a plane is not as easy as it seems. Kudos to you. Cheers!
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 10:05	#98
rods2580 Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 7 Thanked: 0 Times	Hello Flyboy, thanx for sharing the experience, you must be getting a lot of rush everytime you get in there. Yes some pictures would be wonderful to see.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 20:24	#101
raul BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pune Posts: 920 Thanked: 372 Times	I know on a day to day basis as a profession it could probably be just another day at work for pilots but for those of us who wanted to become pilots but didn't/couldn't the wanderlust, going to so many new places, which motivates it and the excitement of planes and flying will never die, even though becoming a pilot may not quench these desires in the way we had envisaged, so its nice to get these perspectives from flyboy. I don't necessarily thing being a pilot is great or requires a lot of intelligence but its what I wanted to do once and its great to read the review and the other titbits. A very good thread for folks like me.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 20:30	#102
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 10,999 Thanked: 26,417 Times	palioman, I don't doubt much of what you say, you're the man with the experience, but I think you under-rate your own abilities. Maybe it is not as delicate a job as being a heart surgeon, but he has only one life at a time in his hands. OK, so maybe flying a plane is something one can learn and practice, like driving a car, riding a bike, or sailing a boat, but there is no way I am going to kill 300 people if I make a mistake taking the car out of the drive, and when I used to sail a bit, I sometimes used to think that the navigation that I might hum and hah about for a few minutes (numbers were never my strong point) has to be done by a pilot in seconds. So I'm still cheering for the pilots! Last edited by Thad E Ginathom : 7th April 2009 at 20:32.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 20:51	#103
SkyCougar Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	I was initially surprised to see this thread but then as an aviator really appreciated all subsequent posts. An aircraft review would actually entail no mean detailing and bring a lot of technical stuff to fore but hats off by keeping it simple. Flying and driving have one thing in common, you can't mix drinking in either. 12 hrs is the rule. Safe driving and happy landings.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 21:52	#104
harry10 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 2,713 Thanked: 3,624 Times View My Garage	Awesome! Logging in after 4 days so a bit late in the read up but worth every line! There were many things i didn't know about 747 and flying. Thanks everyone for the inputs. Like many others being a pilot was a dream couldn't accomplished due to weak eyesight but glad to see the review from a pilots view. Thanks and cheers! P.S- Completely agree with you Palioman. Last edited by harry10 : 7th April 2009 at 21:53.
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 23:20	#105
madhokritesh BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Thane Posts: 334 Thanked: 4 Times	This is turing out to be One of the Best Threads on TBHP. Go on guys.
	() Thanks