OP INION
Ask the pilot Our undercover captain reveals what it’s like to fly for a living
Would you fly the Boeing 737 Max now it has returned to the skies?
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Te aircraſt suffered two total losses with a significant number of deaths. For that reason, neither Boeing nor the Federal Aviation Administration would have allowed it to fly again until all of the issues had been resolved and it had undergone extensive simulator and flight testing without further incident. If I think back over the years, this
situation is not unique. In 1952, the De Havilland Comet entered service with BOAC. Within two years it had suffered three aircraſt losses. It was found that the square-shaped passenger windows contributed to excess metal fatigue, resulting in an explosive decompression caused by structural failure. Te aircraſt was grounded and redesigned with oval windows. Tereaſter, it operated successfully until its retirement in 1997. I also remember when I was a
first officer back in 1996 on the Boeing 747 Classic when a TWA aircraſt of the same type I was flying crashed 12 minutes aſter take-off from New York, with a loss of 230 lives. It was discovered that an electrical short circuit had caused fuel vapour in one of its tanks to explode. From that moment on, we had special procedures implemented to
MAY/JUNE 20 2 1
avoid a further recurrence until the problem had been fixed. Te point I am making is that aſter any
incident, particularly the loss of an aircraſt, a thorough investigation always follows. Only when they are certain beyond all reasonable doubt that the situation is resolved will normal operations resume. So would I fly the B737 Max? Yes, without hesitation.
Do you ever worry about the computer systems on board aircraſt?
Onboard computer systems have greatly enhanced the safety and efficiency of airline operations
Te automatic/computer systems are placed on an aircraſt essentially for three reasons. First, to make the management of the aircraſt systems more effective. In the case of a system failure, rather than the pilot having to refer to paper checklists in an attempt to diagnose what has occurred, the computer will do it for him and automatically
display the procedure to be followed on a screen. Tis avoids incorrect actions being taken owing to a wrong
diagnosis and enhances the safety Second, computers assist the pilot,
of the operation.
particularly during periods of high workload where important decisions may need to be made. Allowing the automatics to fly the aircraſt creates thinking time for the pilots to formulate
a plan of action, resulting in a more considered and safe outcome. Tird, the systems provide maintenance
information to engineering to identify and rectify issues in a timely manner. However, as we all know, computers do
have limitations and at times don’t always behave as we might expect. In these cases, the pilots will use their judgment and, when considered necessary, will revert to manual flying and procedures. I have flown a whole spectrum of
commercial aircraſt, from those with basic computer systems to the high-tech airliners of today. Tese computers, in my opinion, have greatly enhanced the safety and efficiency of airline operations. Tis is reflected in the statistics showing a steady decline in the number of fatal crashes.
Is it true that pilots have to eat different meals from each other on board?
For most of my career, that has been the case. In recent years, this rule has been relaxed and we are now able to eat the same. It was felt that it was highly improbable that both meals would be defective bearing in mind the stringent measures in place in relation to food preparation. Tere are, however, guidelines for what
we should avoid eating and drinking in certain countries before we fly, such as avoiding some types of seafood or drinking only bottled water, for example. BT
If you have a question you’d like to ask our pilot, email
talktous@businesstraveller.com
bus ine s s tr a v el ler .c om
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