Backcountry Pilot • Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

A general forum for anything related to flying the backcountry. Please check first if your new topic fits better into a more specific forum before posting.
15 postsPage 1 of 1

Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

I thought some of you may be interested in what an airline pilot experiences during their recurrent training. At American Airlines that is every 9 months at our a Flight Academy in Texas.

We have the normal classes of security, human factors that analyzes recent carrier incidents, systems review for our respective aircraft, and a flight manual brief class that reviews the legality of various approaches.

After the classes are complete, we move to the simulator portion of the training. This is comprised of a 2 hour brief with a simulator instructor and then 4 hours in the simulator itself.

We practice Engine Failures, Engine Fires, Cargo Fires, Flight Control and Landing Gear malfunctions, Loss of Generators, Unreliable Airspeed and Flight Instruments, Low Visibility Approaches w/300' RVR, Single Engine Approaches and even more fun, Single Engine Go-Arounds.

Here is a picture of the Boeing 767-300ER we used for the above practice. Notice that the simulator is in motion and the bridge is up.

Image

The following day is the actual Check Ride itself with an FAA Designated Check Airman. This includes a 2 hour Oral that covers Systems, Legalities, Operations, etc, etc, etc...............And you better know the answers.

Next is the actual simulator check itself. The first 2 hours we did RNAV Approaches, Wind shear and Terrain Escape Maneuvers, Unreliable Airspeed, Maximum Crosswind Landings, etc.

The next 2 hours we were to fly a flight from KSLT to KDEN. This entire portion of the check ride was performed as if we were actually on the line with normal distractions like passenger problems, fueling problems, restricted cargo, icy runways, low visibility, etc.

While on the line most flights go quite smooth, but on our check ride that was not to be. We were given Anti-Ice Malfunctions, Severe Turbulence, a Cargo Fire, a passenger with a heart attack, Low Visibility at KDEN with a malfunction during the Approach which required a Go-Around, etc.

Below is a picture of the Boeing 757 simulator awaiting it's next victim. The Check Airmen is inside programming the computers in an attempt to make our lives miserable.

Image

Below you can see the inside of the simulator with the Captains and First Officers seat, and behind us is where the Check Airman sits and evaluates.

Image

Below is a picture after we Passed with the Check Airman in the center and my highly qualified and well prepared First Officer on the right. After 28 years of American Airlines Check Rides they are still a high stress event that can end a career. Showing up well prepared is the true key to success.

Image
MAU MAU offline
User avatar
Posts: 407
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 4:23 pm
Location: New Hampshire & Maine
Maule MXT-7-180A

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Holy smokes Rob, after reading that makes me want to retire early!

Actually Rob isn't being truthful with all of you, the worst part about recurrent training is not what Rob described above, its the deadhead flight to the training facility on a full flight, trying to stow your bags at the last minute, so you can snuggle into your middle seat, surrounded by screaming kids for 4 hours!

Kurt

PS Excellent write up Rob!
Last edited by G44 on Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
G44 offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 2093
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:46 am
Location: Michigan

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Nice write up!

Those boxes look similar to the ones I just finished 85 hours in... Probably the same company builds them, haha.

Congrats on the victory!
CamTom12 offline
User avatar
Posts: 3705
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:08 pm
Location: Huntsville
FindMeSpot URL: https://share.delorme.com/camtom12
Aircraft: Ruppe Racer
Experimental Pacer
home hand jam "wizard"

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

I go into the box next week for recurrent. the sound of the cooling fans when you walk into the bays just reminds one of stress!
Rezrider offline
Posts: 288
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:06 pm
Location: Four Corners

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

I don't envy you guys on this, although I think it would be an awesome experience. It would be tough to walk into knowing that you are about to run the aviation gauntlet of hell for commercial piloting.

I bet it would be so much more fun if your career didn't depend on it.
Crzyivan13 offline
User avatar
Posts: 1811
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:50 pm
Location: Ohio- OI27 Checkpoint Charlie
FindMeSpot URL: https://share.delorme.com/EvanDavis
Aircraft: 1957 Cessna 182A

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

This is not meant as a snarky post. I was wondering if there have been discussions regarding airport identification given the two incidents of a/c landing at the incorrect airport?
Headoutdaplane offline
User avatar
Posts: 526
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 5:21 pm
Location: Homer, AK
The winner is the person with the most stories when he dies, not the most gold.
www.belugaair.com

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Headoutdaplane wrote:This is not meant as a snarky post. I was wondering if there have been discussions regarding airport identification given the two incidents of a/c landing at the incorrect airport?


We review and discuss a plethora of incidents and accidents and forenscially find the route cause.

Had the pilots that landed at the wrong airports followed their Standard Operating Procedures and the FAA regulations, those unfortunate incidents may not have happened.

That being said, there is usually more to a story than what is being reported by the less than credible media.

We are human after all, and in some of these incidents I think : 'There but for the grace of God go I'.
MAU MAU offline
User avatar
Posts: 407
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 4:23 pm
Location: New Hampshire & Maine
Maule MXT-7-180A

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Headoutdaplane wrote:This is not meant as a snarky post. I was wondering if there have been discussions regarding airport identification given the two incidents of a/c landing at the incorrect airport?


I've noticed most of these off landings happen at night, hmm merely a coincidence?
Glidergeek offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 1937
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:02 pm
Location: Hesperia
Aircraft: 1968 P206C
DG 400

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

I'm sure this has already been posted somewhere, but I thought it would fit well here too.





All kidding aside, I have a lot of respect for you commercial guys, especially after seeing what you have to go through for recurrency. Thanks for the interesting thread.
RanchPilot offline
User avatar
Posts: 974
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:18 pm
Location: Wyoming
Experience is the knowledge that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

RanchPilot Facebook Community: http://www.facebook.com/ranchpilot777

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Nice right up. My Dad was friends with a retired TWA pilot back in the 80's. He took a bunch of his farmer buddies and my crop duster dad and me down to Kansas City and we toured the maintenance facility and got to go into an L-1011 simulator. The thing I remember most was those itty bitty bolts holding the 747 engine on. Dad eventually spread this TWA pilot's ashes with the spray plane over his duck hunting pond.
180Marty offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 2313
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 11:59 am
Location: Paullina IA

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Back in the pre 9/11 era we had all sorts of fun around midnight playing with sims. I remember getting big time airsick while an old time check airman put a DC-9-30 through a hammerhead, followed by a spiral, pulling out just above the infield, landing lights lighting up the hangars, pop over the top, lots of hard banking, slam down on the runway and high speed taxi to the gate...BRAKES!! ... pouring sweat and ghost white...wuff.. :-# There was also a lot of Tex Johnston style 747-400 fun :D Much more enjoyable when your job isn't on the line and you have a few hours to spend before the next scheduled crews start showing up.
BRD offline
User avatar
Posts: 1451
Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:15 am

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

G44 wrote:Holy smokes Rob, after reading that makes me want to retire early!

Actually Rob isn't being truthful with all of you, the worst part about recurrent training is not what Rob described above, its the deadhead flight to the training facility on a full flight, trying to stow your bags at the last minute, so you can snuggle into your middle seat, surrounded by screaming kids for 4 hours!

Kurt

PS Excellent write up Rob!


You are actually correct in this assessment Kurt.

I WOULD rather have a Dual Engine Failure, Explosive Depressurization, and a Massive Fuel Leak in the Cabin than to sit next to a screaming kid for hours on end.

Emergencies I handle fine. Screaming kids not so much.

By the way Kurt, I still expect a ride in your brand new Husky, and I just purchased the book about your famous Alaskan flying family, so an invite to your hanger for a beverage is in order.
MAU MAU offline
User avatar
Posts: 407
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2013 4:23 pm
Location: New Hampshire & Maine
Maule MXT-7-180A

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Rob,

I would be thrilled to give you a ride in the Husky and have you over to the hangar for a soda! Next weekend? March 1-6?

Kurt
G44 offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 2093
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:46 am
Location: Michigan

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

Ha! I'll leave all the fun for you youngsters. I took my last B747 PC in dec, 35 years is enough. Looking forward to flying where I want when I want and not have to report to anybody. It was a fun ride, flew B727,737, 747 , 757/767, DC8 and L1011. Typed in all of 'em. That was a good accurate description of training.
Kevin offline
Posts: 170
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 9:14 am
Location: Indiana

Re: Engine Failure, Cargo Fire, and a Heart Attack

We go in 4 times a year on the C5 in the Airforce. [-X [-X The sim profiles are for sure brutal!
AvidFlyer offline
User avatar
Posts: 1351
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Fairfield
Experimental Avid Flyer STOL 582 Rotax

DISPLAY OPTIONS

15 postsPage 1 of 1

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

Latest Features

Latest Knowledge Base