Right seat captain stories

[Twinpilot]

If I misinterpreted your post I apologize. I don't think I totally missed your point though. The point I was wanting to make was that your FO could have probably just pointed the aircraft at the runway and landed it but the systems got in his way and he could have used some help. I know our SOP requires us to program a visual approach in the FMS, back it up with an ILS if it's available, and in training they promote the idea of using the autopilot until almost a short final. This puts the new guys at a disadvantage because they are trying to get a feel for the jet as well as get a handle on managing all the systems.

Maybe that guy had it coming because he was trying to act like he knew what he was doing when he didn't.

No prob! You're exactly right though...systems of a sophisticated jet get in the way sometimes. I had the same problem when I started. It becomes very easy to forget it is still, at the end of the day, just an airplane. Good things to remember if your autopilot ever craps out in cruise flight, with the FAA on board, 50 people behind you, and 800' OVC and raining at destination! I was the FO then, and the Captain I was flying with wouldn't touch the controls. Scared me...I don't want to put someone else in that position, or leave them where they could eventually find themselves in that position. (Needless to say...Fed was quite happy!--Captain was pissed!)

 

[flyboyike]

Sorry dudette, but I'm old enought that your mom might have been one of my fluffers before she settled down with your dad.

In fact, you still have your DC-6 type, don't you?

 

[Long Time Gone]

Typical FO argument. And it's totally wrong. You're a CA because you went through the training to be one - and many don't make it.

How about "You're a CA because your number came up and you made it through the training." It's definitely not "You're a CA because your company felt that it was your time."

 

[rustypigeon]

No prob! You're exactly right though...systems of a sophisticated jet get in the way sometimes. I had the same problem when I started. It becomes very easy to forget it is still, at the end of the day, just an airplane. Good things to remember if your autopilot ever craps out in cruise flight, with the FAA on board, 50 people behind you, and 800' OVC and raining at destination! I was the FO then, and the Captain I was flying with wouldn't touch the controls. Scared me...I don't want to put someone else in that position, or leave them where they could eventually find themselves in that position. (Needless to say...Fed was quite happy!--Captain was pissed!)

I must be missing something. Is there a problem flying without an autopilot with 800 ovc and rain?

 

[Twinpilot]

I must be missing something. Is there a problem flying without an autopilot with 800 ovc and rain?

Not at all!!! I love doing it...however, the point was that the Captain I was flying with that trip had become so dependent on his automation that he wouldn't...or couldn't, I don't know. Of coarse, to his defense, he was one of those guys that somehow made it through training. Now I'm the Capt, and I can say I learned a lot from that guy. That is, continue trying to get better each leg. Point being, we're all pilots first, and should keep up that practice. Not become dependent and forget about all the training we went through to get here.

 

[Raskal]

No prob! You're exactly right though...systems of a sophisticated jet get in the way sometimes. I had the same problem when I started. It becomes very easy to forget it is still, at the end of the day, just an airplane. Good things to remember if your autopilot ever craps out in cruise flight, with the FAA on board, 50 people behind you, and 800' OVC and raining at destination! I was the FO then, and the Captain I was flying with wouldn't touch the controls. Scared me...I don't want to put someone else in that position, or leave them where they could eventually find themselves in that position. (Needless to say...Fed was quite happy!--Captain was pissed!)

Captain "wouldn't touch the controls"? He'd rather you fly? What the hell? Is there more to this story?

Either something's missing here or this guy should not even be in the air. I can't think of a single person, including crappy pilots, who would've done what you describe. So, anything you forgot to tell us?

 

[Twinpilot]

Captain "wouldn't touch the controls"? He'd rather you fly? What the hell? Is there more to this story?

Either something's missing here or this guy should not even be in the air. I can't think of a single person, including crappy pilots, who would've done what you describe. So, anything you forgot to tell us?

Nothing missing, he just shouldn't be in the air...This is some missing actually, he did go back for more training after that flight, against his will.

 

[Raskal]

Nothing missing, he just shouldn't be in the air...This is some missing actually, he did go back for more training after that flight, against his will.

Well, I guess that's what was missing...hopefully he got the message.