04-26-2024, 06:29 PM
Its what you don't know that ..............
Or, who'd a thunk it. The unknown, unexpected or 'different' is that which creates the grey hair. The giddy-up at Washington at prime example; cleared for take off; paying attention to anything but another aircraft pulling out in front: that Tokyo collision - aircraft parked in the touchdown zone for another example. Many tales untold; but it is the ''unexpected; out of hard won habit - which, IMO is the most dangerous. I can put together a litany of 'tales' where that 'unexpected' element caused some serious outrage, not to mention grey hair and a need for Ale. There is however, one which stands out from the dozen or so cases I could elaborate; all completely unexpected and unpreventable; but with thanks to Murphy for not being on board, we live to tell the tale to anyone interested. Or; Click here .
I have, over the decades, had a few 'close encounters' and probably a story for each event, weather, mechanical, combinations of both- but, they were all within 'my' control; the truly scary ones are those over which you have no control - non whatsoever. Indulge me for a paragraph; I shall construe a tale which, even now as I remember it (deeply ingrained) still makes me wonder about how truly (really) safe we all are; at any tick of the clock.
T'was a gin clear day; pleasant flight back over the great waters; aerodrome in sight at 30 - no traffic - gentle breezes, not a bump in sight - routine. Routine all the way to mid final, stable approach, sensible speed, in the groove descent rate; checks complete; nothing to do but paint it onto the runway and head for the coffee pot. A light aircraft (C210) was charging down the parallel taxiway at a fast clip; (assumed) parachute ops (no door). Us, full flap, fully loaded and committed. The 210 literally 'smoked' around the right angle to the holding point and got moving from about 30 knots somewhere near the centre-line. I am at about 200'; full flap, power back and only have my cautionary few knots up my sleeve; 600 fpm ROD reducing. 20 seconds - loads of time; gear up and around we go. It was almost as if this aircraft was attached by magnets to my left engine nacelle; As I climbed he climbed; as I turned, he turned, I headed to the 'off-side' of the circuit (just a bit so I could keep it in sight0 - but bugger me; there he was stuck like a limpet to my left nacelle; FO was nearly going spare trying to call this magnet - strict radio silence. Happily my climb rate far exceeded the 210's - but it was a close run thing for while; the pilot was wearing a blue jumper, green socks and the ashtrays were full. I kid you not; Eventually he achieved his altitude and buggered off - it took us 12 minutes to return to short final on the nominated runway. No one on the ground knew anything.
Back to the point; even in the most routine, benign circumstances; you never, not really know how a flight will end, not until you are in the pub talking about it. Complacency and routine and 'habit' are basic tenets of Murphy's Law; well that and the god's own fools.
Or, who'd a thunk it. The unknown, unexpected or 'different' is that which creates the grey hair. The giddy-up at Washington at prime example; cleared for take off; paying attention to anything but another aircraft pulling out in front: that Tokyo collision - aircraft parked in the touchdown zone for another example. Many tales untold; but it is the ''unexpected; out of hard won habit - which, IMO is the most dangerous. I can put together a litany of 'tales' where that 'unexpected' element caused some serious outrage, not to mention grey hair and a need for Ale. There is however, one which stands out from the dozen or so cases I could elaborate; all completely unexpected and unpreventable; but with thanks to Murphy for not being on board, we live to tell the tale to anyone interested. Or; Click here .
I have, over the decades, had a few 'close encounters' and probably a story for each event, weather, mechanical, combinations of both- but, they were all within 'my' control; the truly scary ones are those over which you have no control - non whatsoever. Indulge me for a paragraph; I shall construe a tale which, even now as I remember it (deeply ingrained) still makes me wonder about how truly (really) safe we all are; at any tick of the clock.
T'was a gin clear day; pleasant flight back over the great waters; aerodrome in sight at 30 - no traffic - gentle breezes, not a bump in sight - routine. Routine all the way to mid final, stable approach, sensible speed, in the groove descent rate; checks complete; nothing to do but paint it onto the runway and head for the coffee pot. A light aircraft (C210) was charging down the parallel taxiway at a fast clip; (assumed) parachute ops (no door). Us, full flap, fully loaded and committed. The 210 literally 'smoked' around the right angle to the holding point and got moving from about 30 knots somewhere near the centre-line. I am at about 200'; full flap, power back and only have my cautionary few knots up my sleeve; 600 fpm ROD reducing. 20 seconds - loads of time; gear up and around we go. It was almost as if this aircraft was attached by magnets to my left engine nacelle; As I climbed he climbed; as I turned, he turned, I headed to the 'off-side' of the circuit (just a bit so I could keep it in sight0 - but bugger me; there he was stuck like a limpet to my left nacelle; FO was nearly going spare trying to call this magnet - strict radio silence. Happily my climb rate far exceeded the 210's - but it was a close run thing for while; the pilot was wearing a blue jumper, green socks and the ashtrays were full. I kid you not; Eventually he achieved his altitude and buggered off - it took us 12 minutes to return to short final on the nominated runway. No one on the ground knew anything.
Back to the point; even in the most routine, benign circumstances; you never, not really know how a flight will end, not until you are in the pub talking about it. Complacency and routine and 'habit' are basic tenets of Murphy's Law; well that and the god's own fools.