BA at Vegas - 777 on fire

[Ex-Ascot]

Per, OK I'm talking aircraft not ships but on the handful of occasions I have had problems including two accidents my crew were outstanding. We are talking training and discipline.

[Boac]

Ex-Ascot -

Where is Flying Lawyer. It would be nice to see him here.

Very unlikely, but his 'other persona', Bronx and Heliport might turn up.

[Capetonian]

Not wishing in any way to belittle what Captain Henkey did, but htf do you land an aircraft before it's taken off :

Captain Chris Henkey, who was once also a pub landlord in Reading, Berkshire, was praised by passengers for bringing his burning plane down safely.
The hero British Airways pilot Chris Henkey was on one of his final flights before retirement when he saved 170 lives by safely landing his burning plane, it has emerged.

No 'narrowly avoiding a crowded primary school as it skimmed low over the rooftops with thousands of gallons of explosive petrol on board' at least.

[500N]

Cape

Exactly.

"it has emerged" because some stupid reporter is, as usual trying to sensationalize the whole thing
when, IMHO just saying what he did should be enough because he and the crew did damn well.

[Woody]

Wow, the failonline has been working overtime, as they seem to have interviewed lots of people , including his ex wife, present girlfriend and lots of neighbours, I feel left out as I used to play cricket with him and drink in his pub, was a bit scary because of his scars caused by a car crash, but did well, as expected last night, hope he enjoys his retirement .

[500N]

Woody

I reckon the media goes so far overboard now it isn't funny.

And the Daily Wail being a good example of it.

[boing]

I'm not really superstitious but I never told anyone I was on my last flight (on any aircraft). Just pushing your luck.

I was in flight ops in RNO when I met a 747 Captain friend of mine. As he checked his work for the month he called me over and said "Look Boing, this is my final flight. I have one more on the schedule but I'm not flying the last one, this is it." Remember the 747 that had the cargo door blow out on departure from Honolulu. Never announce your final flight.

.

[500N]

I just realised looking at the Video that neither OVER WING exits were used which are
normally initiated by the passengers after the usual checks out the window etc.

Looks like the system worked, then again, the CC tend to be pretty direct in the briefing
to passengers that sit there, you are never in any doubt as to what to do/not do !

[Pinky the pilot]

Never announce your final flight

I will always remember something I once read referring to the above quote;

There are only two absolutes in Professional Aviation.
One day you will walk out to your Aircraft knowing that it is your last ever flight as Pilot-in-command of an Aircraft.
One day you will walk out to your Aircraft not knowing that it is your last ever flight as Pilot-in-command of an Aircraft.

Sobering, isn't it!

[probes]

I've always been impressed by the calm the announcements/communication is made:

Mayday Mayday. Speedbird 2276 requires fire services.

[Ex-Ascot]

Probes, this is how it works, you don't have a job as a pilot (captain) with a highly professional company without staying calm even when your moustache is on fire. Training and experience.

[probes]

Probes, this is how it works, you don't have a job as a pilot (captain) with a highly professional company without staying calm even when your moustache is on fire. Training and experience.

yep - that's what's impressive about it!
Saying it as someone who's been in minor trouble (compared to 'crafts) that still included a life in real danger. I didn't scream or anything, but I didn't have to act in a split second either.

[rgbrock1]

Probes, this is how it works, you don't have a job as a pilot (captain) with a highly professional company without staying calm even when your moustache is on fire. Training and experience.

Unlike a certain FO on a certain AF-447 flight.

[Rwy in Sight]

RGB,

Your french bashing is unacceptable . . However I am still intrigued how a pilot with sailplane experience could froze and stall the plane.

Ex-Ascot I wonder if your expression to describe grace under pressure can be used by guys not having a mustache. A serious question, given in the sim you know there is no real problem (just the examiner) how do you teach to stay calm despite the fire?

[Sisemen]

It seems that the Captain has felt that he ought not to push his luck and has announced his retirement one flight early!

[Ex-Ascot]

RG that was lack of experience. Did he have a mustache?

RIS my old friend, we will discuss sim rides over our next beer. Any professional pilot here will tell you that you get really locked into a scenario. You belive that it is real. They can even pump smoke onto the flight deck.

Personally I think that all simulators are all badly maintained. Every time you try to fly the dam thing something goes wrong.

[Dak Man]

My guess is an uncontained compressor failure.

"Examination of the material recovered from the runway found several pieces of the high pressure compressor spool (approximately 7-8in in length)."

[angels]

ExAscot -

Did your moustache ever catch fire? Do tell!

My music master at school set his beard on fire lighting his pipe once, it was an absolute hoot!

PS - Does anyone know the background to that hideous jacket Captain Henkey is wearing in the photos the press have been showing of him?

[stuart]

Found it for you angels.

Captain Chris Henkey is pictured wearing the jacket and tie of the children’s rugby charity Wooden Spoon.

[Ex-Ascot]

Angels, not on the flight deck but I limit myself to three cigars a week and often set fire to it trying to light a stub.