Dl/nw Dc-9

[lookin4better]

I would bet ALL pilot hiring will be done by Delta in ATL, regardless of where the pilots might be needed.

 

[glasspilot1]

How do you plan you descents without a VNAV box? I heard that in the DC-9 autopilot, you have to manually level off at each altitude. How much of a pain is that?

In the 727 I used the "3 for 1" method. Multiply the altitude to lose by 3 to get the miles to get down. Lets say you need to lose 20,000 ft. 20 times 3 is 60, start down 60 miles out. Now this is crude, it doesn't factor in head or tailwinds but it's a start.

Most of our 727's (TWA) did not have an alt capture. You just watch it, the non-flying (excuse me, "monitoring") pilot calls out "one to go", it's not a problem when that's what you have!

 

[Browntothebone]

In the 727 I used the "3 for 1" method. Multiply the altitude to lose by 3 to get the miles to get down. Lets say you need to lose 20,000 ft. 20 times 3 is 60, start down 60 miles out. Now this is crude, it doesn't factor in head or tailwinds but it's a start.

Most of our 727's (TWA) did not have an alt capture. You just watch it, the non-flying (excuse me, "monitoring") pilot calls out "one to go", it's not a problem when that's what you have!

WOW! That's sounds pretty archaic. I'm glad nowdays most airliners have a box that can do all that stuff for us.

 

[dispatchguy]

The -9 is a real airplane - the FMS is the grey matter between the flying pilot's ears...

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

It's not that tough

How do you plan you descents without a VNAV box? I heard that in the DC-9 autopilot, you have to manually level off at each altitude. How much of a pain is that?

The DC-9 still has CADCs and you put the vertical speed wheel in the detent and it levels of on altitude just fine.

 

[airplane wizard]

How do you plan you descents without a VNAV box? I heard that in the DC-9 autopilot, you have to manually level off at each altitude. How much of a pain is that?

Imagine that....a pilot actually having to fly the plane.

 

[Browntothebone]

Is it true that you have to fly real NDB approaches in the DC-9?

 

[GogglesPisano]

Imagine that....a pilot actually having to fly the plane.

I'd rather read the newspaper.

 

[Sedona16]

I'd rather read the newspaper.

Here Here. Spent almost ten years flying "real planes" that were harder to fly and about the same automation as the nine. If somebody thinks its cool to fly "real planes", let them....especially if they are from NWA.

 

[NuGuy]

I'd rather read the newspaper.

Wow, nice PR...especially on a public forum.

Nu

 

[StopNTSing]

WOW! That's sounds pretty archaic. I'm glad nowdays most airliners have a box that can do all that stuff for us.

Well, consider that as pilots our only real value-added to our companies is our airmanship and judgment. Airmanship has been in steady decline ever since those boxes 'that can do all that stuff for us' began showing up, and a little more judgment seems to get taken away with every revision to the FOM. Someday we won't be needed at all...:crying:

 

[FBN0223]

I'd rather read the newspaper.

What's he talking about?

 

[d.fitz]

NWA hires while DAL displaces.... interesting.

No one said NWA wasn't displacing... Ask me in a few weeks, I'll let you know.

 

[d.fitz]

How do you plan you descents without a VNAV box? I heard that in the DC-9 autopilot, you have to manually level off at each altitude. How much of a pain is that?

It requires constant attention. I, for one, don't think it's all that fun.

 

[FmrFreightDog]

It requires constant attention. I, for one, don't think it's all that fun.

I, for one, do. I actually like flying instead of pushing buttons. I will leave the -9 the day they displace me off of it. Until then, I will happily fly that airplane around the eastern US for three or four (sometimes five) legs a day knowing that this is, more or less, my last chance to actually be a pilot and fly an airplane instead of program it. Call me crazy, but I somewhat enjoy an airplane that I have to manage instead of vice-versa. I like the fact that I know how to make a 40 year old autopilot fly smoothly. I like the fact that when I land I can hit 1.6 EPR in reverse just by the sound of the engines.

I came from button-pushing. I jumpseat with button-pushers. I appreciate the automation and the ease it brings to the job. But for now, and for the foreseeable future, I like being given the opportunity to actually fly a damn airplane. When they're gone and I get kicked off the thing, I can push buttons with the best of them, but for now I'd rather fly.

If you want to push buttons for a living, more power to you. I won't be gunning for your spot post SOC. You can push buttons to your heart's content (unless, of course, they don't open a DC-9 base in ATL... then all bets are off. I'll happily push buttons for a living if I get to drive to work!!!)