First of all where did I say "always"? I said most and if you look you will see that the data supports my position.
Granted, but I still think "most" isn't very accurate. I'd be interested to see a breakdown, maybe it is 60/40 or something similar, I'd be curious to know.
My company's rules would not allow me to attempt a landing with a 59kt crosswind component. If they did I don't think I would try unless I had a compelling reason to land (fire).
That wasn't the component, that was the gust. 60 degrees off the nose, base winds at 40 I believe, makes it around a 30 kt base crosswind component, 50 kt gust.
That said, I'd have thought twice about it as well.
If I thought the conditions were within legal and real limits I can't see a situation where the Fo should not be allowed to make the first attempt, unless: that person is still in training.
I can. Our F/O's aren't even allowed to TOUCH the controls for the first 6 months until they've been signed off by 3 Captains AND a check airman. For ANY phase of flight.
No, I'm not kidding, and it's usually warranted, sad to say, because of their inexperience.
Keep in mind that if you think they are too weak to handle the situation you are now effectively moving yourself into a single pilot environment. You had better not make a mistake, no-one will catch you if you fall.
Welcome to my world. This is the hardest I've ever had to work in my life. The last couple weeks have been nice, I've had guys close to upgrade and I've been letting them fly all the legs from the left seat.
Last month? Let's just say I spent the entire 2 weeks training them how to prep charts, READ charts, tune navaids (and when to tune) and program the GPS for the route, plus having to answer half their calls they missed.
Maybe that's skewing my take on this accident - plus the low-time airline pilot is a personal pet peeve of mine. I cringe when I have to get in the back of an RJ and the kid on the right looks about 15 and the CA looks about 80, weighs 290 pounds, and is chewing on his take-out McD's...
On a final note: When I was an instructor I waited as long as possible before I interfered. On the lear I waited less than on any other airplane.
Learjet: Easy to fly - Easy to crash
I asked one student what he thought it took to fly the lear.
With a heavy accent; "Razor sharp pitch control, split second decision making."
Agreed.
max powers said:
Hmmm me thinks we have a tool here
If you say so...
Or maybe you'd like to be the German CA at this point on administrative leave pending discipline/retraining/609 ride? 'Cause that's what would have happened here...
Personally, I'm not taking that chance. Your mileage may vary.
