Passenger-landing plane's pilot dies

Jimbuna · 10-09-13, 05:13 AM

This is the sort of thing you usually see in a movie

Quote:

A pilot who fell ill at the controls of his plane forcing his passenger to land the light aircraft has died, police have said.
The man collapsed in the cockpit of the plane after taking off, leaving the "inexperienced" passenger to make an emergency landing.
The plane landed at Humberside Airport under the guidance of instructors called in by air traffic controllers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-24457031

Herr-Berbunch · 10-09-13, 06:56 AM

5 miles from me.

I don't think it'd be too difficult for someone as a quite-regular-passenger-with-some-handling-experience as he to land it during the day if push came to shove - which it obviously did, but at night is a whole new ball-game.

Betonov · 10-09-13, 08:03 AM

I guess anyone with a cool head and common sense could land a plane with the help from instructor.
But not many people have a cool head and common sense

GoldenRivet · 10-09-13, 08:50 AM

Anyone who flies with me regularly learns the basics - thats all there is to it.

passenger briefings should always include seatbelt use and door opening and closing procedures this is obvious to us... but how many pilots brief passengers on symptoms of hypoxia if it is to be a flight at higher altitude? how many brief them on the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? that they should alert you to how they are feeling? and how to disengage the heater when its a cold day and the heater will be used?

As pilots with a regular passenger who flies with us very frequently it is a great idea to get them comfortable with how to switch the transponder code, how to set a frequency into the radio and how to set up the GPS to go directly to an airport, these should pretty much be the first lessons a regular passenger learns. they are simple steps that most would find as easy as using a smart phone, but to a lay person it can feel like a big deal to learn how to properly do these things not only is it a great confidence builder to move into "hold the yoke for a moment" - but they are potentially important life saving skills in an emergency that sees you incapacitated.

"hold the yoke for a moment"... that has often times ultimately provided the regular passenger with the knowledge of how to hold altitude, climb, turn, descend and control speed with pitch and power changes.

they dont have to be an ace of the base, but arming them with this minimum knowledge you accomplish two things.

1. you now have a hell of a co-pilot that you can enjoy flying with on a different level

2. you give them a fighting chance should anything happen to you the pilot as more than an unseen illness can incapacitate you.

when i was instructing regularly back in the day, i used to offer a course to spouses, it was about 10 hours of flight time and concentrated mostly on aspects related to Climb, descent, turns, landing and GPS navigation if applicable. The passing criteria was basically that us, and the airplane had to survive the landing.

i only had a hand full of takers over the years, but any pilots here on the boards might consider asking a CFI if he or she offers something similar. a story like this drives it home.

best to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Platapus · 10-09-13, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

when i was instructing regularly back in the day, i used to offer a course to spouses, it was about 10 hours of flight time and concentrated mostly on aspects related to Climb, descent, turns, landing and GPS navigation if applicable. The passing criteria was basically that us, and the airplane had to survive the landing.

I think that is a great idea. Even if the "insta-pilot" never has to use any of those skills (and that's the idea), they will have an appreciation of what the pilot (their spouse) is dealing with.

In the military flying club I got my learnin at, there was a similar program for pilots and ATC. Pilots would be invited to observe ATC and ATC people would be invited to ride along. It gives people on both sides an appreciation on what the other does. It was eye-opening.

Having an appreciation of what other people you interact with is a good way of understanding their viewpoints.

And best of all, after walking that mile, you get to keep their shoes!

GoldenRivet · 10-09-13, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

And best of all, after walking that mile, you get to keep their shoes!

It makes you much better at your own job as well

Tchocky · 10-09-13, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

In the military flying club I got my learnin at, there was a similar program for pilots and ATC. Pilots would be invited to observe ATC and ATC people would be invited to ride along. It gives people on both sides an appreciation on what the other does. It was eye-opening.

This should be encouraged as much as possible.

I like to see pilots visiting us for familiarisation sessions, and I know it really helps me to ride up front and see things from the other side whenever I fly. This was last week in Amsterdam, got to ride in a SAS MD82 before they retire them all!

Any sort of visit is an eye-opener.
Pilots tend to be amazed at the amount of traffic in the sector, and controllers are shocked by the endless checklists and cross-checking that goes on. It's easy for pilots to think they are the only ones in the sky (at least until the Approach crowd gets their hand in!), and it's just as easy for controllers to think the pilots do nothing but wait for the Voice of God to give them instructions. We forget they have other things to do, and they forget we have other aircraft to take care of. A bit of experience across the frequency helps everyone get along

Schroeder · 10-09-13, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

I guess anyone with a cool head and common sense could land a plane with the help from instructor.
But not many people have a cool head and common sense

It's not that easy when you do it for the first time. I was pretty nervous and I had an instructor with me (who also did corrections on my final approach/touch down during the first 10-15 landings or so otherwise the plane would have been in for a new undercarriage

). So I wouldn't call it a small feat to land that thing on your fist try.

Jimbuna · 10-09-13, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

It's not that easy when you do it for the first time. I was pretty nervous and I had an instructor with me (who also did corrections on my final approach/touch down during the first 10-15 landings or so otherwise the plane would have been in for a new undercarriage

). So I wouldn't call it a small feat to land that thing on your fist try.

I doubt I'd get in a two-seater....a four seat chopper was bad enough

Schroeder · 10-09-13, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I doubt I'd get in a two-seater....a four seat chopper was bad enough

In calm weather they fly smoothly.

10-09-13, 06:56 AM	#2
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	5 miles from me. I don't think it'd be too difficult for someone as a quite-regular-passenger-with-some-handling-experience as he to land it during the day if push came to shove - which it obviously did, but at night is a whole new ball-game. __________________

10-09-13, 08:50 AM	#4
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	Anyone who flies with me regularly learns the basics - thats all there is to it. passenger briefings should always include seatbelt use and door opening and closing procedures this is obvious to us... but how many pilots brief passengers on symptoms of hypoxia if it is to be a flight at higher altitude? how many brief them on the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? that they should alert you to how they are feeling? and how to disengage the heater when its a cold day and the heater will be used? As pilots with a regular passenger who flies with us very frequently it is a great idea to get them comfortable with how to switch the transponder code, how to set a frequency into the radio and how to set up the GPS to go directly to an airport, these should pretty much be the first lessons a regular passenger learns. they are simple steps that most would find as easy as using a smart phone, but to a lay person it can feel like a big deal to learn how to properly do these things not only is it a great confidence builder to move into "hold the yoke for a moment" - but they are potentially important life saving skills in an emergency that sees you incapacitated. "hold the yoke for a moment"... that has often times ultimately provided the regular passenger with the knowledge of how to hold altitude, climb, turn, descend and control speed with pitch and power changes. they dont have to be an ace of the base, but arming them with this minimum knowledge you accomplish two things. 1. you now have a hell of a co-pilot that you can enjoy flying with on a different level 2. you give them a fighting chance should anything happen to you the pilot as more than an unseen illness can incapacitate you. when i was instructing regularly back in the day, i used to offer a course to spouses, it was about 10 hours of flight time and concentrated mostly on aspects related to Climb, descent, turns, landing and GPS navigation if applicable. The passing criteria was basically that us, and the airplane had to survive the landing. i only had a hand full of takers over the years, but any pilots here on the boards might consider asking a CFI if he or she offers something similar. a story like this drives it home. best to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. __________________

10-09-13, 08:03 AM	#3
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	I guess anyone with a cool head and common sense could land a plane with the help from instructor. But not many people have a cool head and common sense