Lufthansa Pilot to co-pilot, forgetting that the frequency was open: "We used to come up the Thames, and turn over here for the docks…."
Voice on frequency: "ACHTUNG SPITFEUR"
Is there a certain “geek” factor needed to want to be a pilot?
The other day, we noted an article in Air Facts Journal about why there are so few female pilots but some of the comments posted to the original article brought up an interesting idea: The geek factor required to be a pilot. Specifically, commenter Joseph, a software engineer with a whole collection of large and small gadgets and tools, posted:
However there is a certain Geek mindset required to do software engineering (I’m not talking about dumb T-shirts and cargo pants, but the attitude). And lets be honest pilots are as much geeks as computer programmers when it comes to the attitude, they are just though of as more macho I suppose.
Joseph then wrote that the geek mindset is off-putting to girls. Moreover, aviation comes with a feeling that one must “accept and become part of the lifestyle to succeed in the industry.”
On the hand, Bobby, a 35 year pilot and self-proclaimed computer geek responded by writing that most of the macho pilots he has known were not computer geeks at all as they only thought about airplanes and flying 24/7.
Joseph then replied by writing that aviation geeks has the same core personality as computer geeks but its just with a different technology. He then added that:
They live and breath their work and hobby, they are defined by it. The problem is when one is both a computer and aviation geek. Finger points at myself when I say that. Aviation is a life style not a hobby or a career, its not something you go in and do 8 hrs and leave each day, at least if its something you want to succeed in.
Commenter Maureen added that she and most of the other female pilots she knows have been or are into hobbies like needlework, knitting, quilting, etc. which also require the same amount of attention to detail that is required to assemble models. She also added that she and many of her fellow female pilots are also geeks with plenty of electronic toys and other combustible engines such as motorcycles, tractors, atvs etc.
Hence, what do you our readers think: Is there a certain “geek” or perhaps another quality or mindset needed to have a passion for aviation or perhaps its all left up to chance?
Revisiting why there are so few female pilots
Richard Collins of Air Facts Journal has recently revisited the old question about why there are so many more male pilots than female pilots. In fact, Air Facts Journal has pointed out that male pilots, both in general aviation as well as in the commercial airline space, now outnumber females by a 94 to six margin (plus or minus a little).
We have covered this subject a few times in the past (see Teaching women to fly, What are the training barriers for female pilots? and Why aren’t there more female airline pilots?) with some commenters pointing out that airlines used to hire ex-military pilots while balancing marriage and childcare with pilot careers have kept female airline pilots in the secondary seat.
Meanwhile, Richard pointed out that he believes women are better pilots than men because they take fewer chances and treat airplanes less roughly. Moreover, he noted that the personality traits that tend to lead to accidents are mostly male but then again, there are so few female pilots that their influence on accident statistics is minimal.
Concerning why there are so few female pilots, Richard wrote that:
Could it be that females are not attracted in number because they take one look at male pilots and think, “Yuk, I don’t want to be like that.” It is my opinion that we males have created a fraternal bond in flying that largely excludes females.
He then asked what we can do to make females feel more welcome in aviation in general and already, the post has generated a number of interesting comments from readers – including one that pointed out that motorcycling was once an exclusively male activity but “now you go into a bike shop and half the customers are women.” That particular reader pointed out that it was the motorcycling culture itself that allowed this to happen plus women themselves also decided that “to h@ll with public opinion, I’m going to do it…”
Hence, what do you, especially any UK or Europe based readers think about women in aviation? Specifically, what if anything might be holding back women in UK or European aviation and more importantly, what can be done about it?
Failure to land at the closest airport proves fatal
General Aviation News will often reprint accident reports from the US’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), including one dated January 2010 about an accident involving a Beech B60 in Madison (Alabama) that caused two fatalities.
Apparently, 15 minutes after take-off at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the Beech B60’s right engine experienced a catastrophic engine failure with the nearest airport suitable for landing being about 10 miles away. Instead of flying to this nearby airport, the pilot instead decided to return to the departure airport which happened to be 30 miles away.
He did not make it. The aircraft crashed and burned three miles from the intended airport for the emergency landing.
An accident investigation uncovered a 5 1/2- by 6-inch hole in the top right portion of the crankcase and that the No. 2 cylinder of the right engine had separated from the crankcase during the flight. In addition, two No. 2 cylinder studs were found to have fatigue fractures along with a portion of the right side of the crankcase plus some of the cylinder hold-down studs exceeded the manufacturer’s specified length.
It had also been 50 hours and 8 months since the aircraft had its most recent annual inspection plus the right engine had not been overhauled for about 1,425 hours and it was 455 hours since the No. 2 cylinder was removed for the replacement of the six cylinder studs.
Nevertheless, the probable cause of the accident was ruled the pilot’s failure to return to the closest airport after a catastrophic engine failure due to fatigue cracks and separation.
How far behind me is that 737…?
Posted on BusinessBalls from R Dillon:
A controller at the Nashville, Tennessee airport told me about an incident from several years ago when he cleared a Cessna 172 (4 seater small aircraft) for landing.
As the Cessna turned to final approach, an airliner called in ‘over the marker’ (5 miles from the airport). The Cessna was about a half mile from the runway, and the controller knew he could land and clear the runway well before the airliner would land, so he cleared the airliner to land as well.
A few seconds later, the Cessna pilot asked the controller: "How far behind me is that 737?"
Before the controller could respond, the airline pilot keyed his mike, and in a deep bass voice said: "Don’t look back!…"
Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) pull #32: Splashdown in the Bahamas
The Cirrus Owners & Pilots Association (COPA) website has a detailed account of the recent Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) pull #32 when Dr. Richard “Dick” McGlaughlin and his daughter Elaine were forced to make an unscheduled “landing” on water in the Bahamas.
Dick, a medical doctor, and his wife were on their way to Haiti to deliver medical supplies when the engine suddenly stopped at 9,500 feet over water. He managed to get to within 2 miles of Andros Island before given two choices: Ditch in the water as slow as practical or deploy the parachute system.
It was noted by COPA that the survival rate for a conventional ditching is over 90% but some still end up perishing due to exposure or drowning – meaning its important to have good survival and rescue equipment on board. It was also noted that there has been five Cirrus parachute deployments over water with generally favorable results except for concerns about back injuries and just how quickly everyone can exit the aircraft.
Dick ended up getting impatient and pulled at the 2,300 foot level rather than his intended 2,000 foot level but nevertheless and lucky for him and his wife, the rescuers reported seeing his parachute from about eight miles away while their tiny life raft was just a speck on the ocean. Both were uninjured – despite the harder than expected impact on the water.
In other words, the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System worked again but COPA concluded that pilots should still anticipate the need to use the CAPS in an emergency by practicing its use in a simulator and to carefully consider what survival and rescue equipment is carried for the conditions being flown through or over. It was also noted that pilots should pull early while over water to allow for plenty of time to prepare for the splash down and more importantly, to get out of the aircraft.
More pictures and details of the mishap and the rescue are available on the COPA website.
