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May 10, 2010

Pilots Like Captain Dave Are Why You Can Nap During Takeoff

Flight Level 390: Ascent from Paradise
Sterile cockpit procedures are in effect as I mentally review the engine failure tactics for a max loaded A321 on a warm day. For the tenth time, I pick up the weight and balance form and re-read it asking myself if it looks correct. Does it make sense? Yeah, it looks good. When we are number five, I ask the co-pilot to light-off number two. The APU will stay ON for this take-off providing cooling air for the passengers, so that we may use all of the engine bleed air for thrust.

Both engines turning, checklists done, flight attendants and pax are alerted that we are next for the runway. I remind the co-pilot that he is flying a 321 with a very long fuselage... Watch the rotation rate. It sounds ridiculous, but when the crew is liable to fly a 319, 320, and 321 on the same trip, it helps to vocalize the type of aircraft at the end of the runway.

The tower controller clears us for take-off....

Posted by Vanderleun at May 10, 2010 3:10 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

I'm a great admirer of competence and all, but I think the reason I nap during take-off is the lack of oxygen in the cabin overcomes my primitive brain's panic mode.

Posted by: Western Chauvinist at May 10, 2010 4:48 PM

If you auger into the ground, the guys in front do it first.

Not surprised that the competent ones keep that first in their minds.

Now me - I like to have a window seat so I can watch the take-off run, look during the flight and landing.*

I have watched Holy Dearborn while descending to Detroit Metro - there's the Rouge Plant, City Hall, Fordson High School (dad taught there), Christ Episcopal Church (baptized there) Dearborn High School (Alma Mater) House on Claremont, house on North Franklin (parent's former houses) The house I owned on Stephens Street...

*Many criticized GWB for landing on the Abraham Lincoln in an S-3 Viking. Me? My thought was 'that lucky sob got to tailhook on a carrier! If I was POTUS it wouldn't just be tailhook but also catapult launch!'

Why not? The pilots' have to get their training in anyhow.

Posted by: Mikey NTH at May 10, 2010 5:52 PM

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