Posted on 02/01/2009 10:57:16 AM PST by txroadkill
The Allied Pilots Association, which represents American Airlines pilots, sent out this account Friday afternoon. Rather than repeat what the APA wrote, I'll provide it in its entirety:
The following is an exclusive account for our members from one of our pilots who was onboard US Airways Flight 1549 when the pilots made a successful emergency ditching into New York's Hudson River. First Officer Susan O'Donnell is a LGA-based 767 pilot. She resides with her family in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Susan is a former Navy pilot, hired at AA in February 1990. She has flown the 727, F100, A300 and now the 767.
The following is her account of the flight, the rescue and recovery response, as well as the support she experienced afterward. This is intended to give each of you a unique insight into the event. We also hope that the crew's tremendous effort to take care of each other and the nearly instantaneous support of USAPA and APA responders become "takeaways" for our pilots to use when faced with an emergency.
(Excerpt) Read more at aviationblog.dallasnews.com ...
I agree with you 100%.
My question is, how do we end up with almost 535 losers as members of Congress, tax cheats in the Cabinet AND an empty suit in the White House?
Comes from that Christian ethic, and of Duty, Honor, Country.
So... Navy pilots head for water? ; )
Lots of Air Force from my side of the family. We love them all.
Anyone surprised that he grew up in Texas?
No, they just land hard expecting the tailhook to slow them down ;^)
Funny, but no Navy aircraft mentioned unless the Navy flew F100's. Must be an oversight.
The Fokker F100 is medium sized airliner that is similar to the DC9/MD80/MD88.
“A few seconds later, there was a bit of smoke and the stench of burning bird that seemed to confirm my guess.”
Is there any technical explanation for how a pilot/passenger in first class, well forward of the motors, could under any circumstances recognize the smell of burning birds in a jet with forward momentum ?
I’m a bit skeptical of that one.
Yes, the starboard engine produces the air that flows through the cabin. The little spicket that blows air in you face comes from the engine.
Thank you sir.
PSA )
Remember the smile on the nose of the planes
After all your years flying, I have one question for you. What is more of a thrill for you, the take-off or the landing? And has your answer remained the same since you started flying? Thanks for a reply.
Bravo Sierra
Gotta watch those tailhook parties.
>> [a question for] QBFimi (Retired B-767 Captain)
Q:What is more of a thrill for you, the take-off or the landing?
The best rush for me has always been the landing, especially when breaking out of the clouds during a low-visibility approach. Later in my career, of course, on the Category III approaches, two pilots only watched the autopilot fly the thing; then when it touched down and you could barely see the runway, your thoughts were more like: “Where the hell is the taxiway?” (if it had snowed at the airport). Or “How am I gonna drive home in this?”.
One exception: The B-767-200 at the start of takeoff roll. The -200 had a guttural audio roar to it when takeoff power was first applied - it sounded like a manly-man’s testosterone rush - on steroids. Arg! ;o)
“Where do we find more men like this?”
In Sullenberger’s case, the Air Force Academy, but also USNA/USMA/USCGA.
That’s almost as good as a Peterus flipping a coin...
A few years ago, we were taking off from the Orlando airport with the kids after a trip to DisneyWorld. Plane getting up to altitude and hits some birds. Pilot quickly turned the plane around and we landed back at Orlando. He said we had a problem and must land now. Fire trucks and EMT's with lots of flashing lights were racing us down the taxiway as we landed on the runway. That really made us nervous.
We get off the plane quickly and just as we got back in the terminal, we look through the glass back at the plane and see the mechanics pull a huge dead bird out from inside the nosecone of the plane which was completely shattered with a big hole. It seems that the avionics are up in there and were rendered inoperable by the bird. I guess the pilot landed with VFR (sight only) and no instruments? Yes/No?
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