Based on the ACARS messages, there appears to be discrepancy of airspeed data on the AF flight. On FBW systems, airspeed is one of the key parameters used to calculate control surface deflections needed to maintain controlled flight (control gain lookup). Assuming that the pitot probes experienced icing, possibly iced at different times resulting in different readings, the flight control computers may be using wrong airspeed and mach number to calculate the control surface deflections. This may result in larger or smaller control surface movement than needed to maintain control (with turbulence upsetting stability continuously) at the actual flight airspeed, driving the aircraft out of control, and resulting in structural breakup.
end speculation//
One question I have for the pilots on this board is whether it's standard procedure to keep the pitot probe heater on all the time while the aircraft is in flight? Or do you only turn on the probe heater when there is probable icing conditions?
The Pitot tubes are automatically heated on todays modern aircraft. Some of the older ones required you to turn on a switch, but they remained heated throughout the flight until you landed. You don't turn them on and off during the flight.
__________________
These views are my own and do not represent the views of United Airlines or the ALPA.
The Pitot tubes are automatically heated on todays modern aircraft. Some of the older ones required you to turn on a switch, but they remained heated throughout the flight until you landed. You don't turn them on and off during the flight.
Thanks.. I guess it makes sense to tie the pitot heat turn on logic to WOW state.
Regarding AF447 possibly breaking up in the air, I seem to remember reading that one of the messages received from the A330 was that the flight management system was going into "alternate law" mode which implies that the normal flight envelope protections that AD described are turned off. Of course it's all speculation.
Fly a reputable major airline with experienced pilots, and you have a 99.999% chance of having a completely normal flight.
This is indeed the key.
My brother is a DL 767 Captain who has recently returned to flying status after being grounded for medical reasons. Even though he has over 10,000 flight hours, he spent 5 weeks in Atlanta in the simulator, and has to complete a series of domestic and international flights with a check pilot before he is back on unrestricted duty. I suspect UA, AA, AS, WN and other US flag mainline carriers have similar requirements.
I doubt every mainline airline flying today requires this level of training of its pilots, which is why I'm very particular about which airline I fly. Quite frankly, there are certain regional carriers I won't fly during certain seasons to certain locations, mainly because I don't trust that their pilots have the experience and training that their "mainline" colleagues have.
I'm with AD on the issue of outsourcing - I wish UA did less of it, and I'd gladly pay more for my ticket if they would.
Programs: AS MVP (withering away due to insane fares), UA, AA, AGR, NPS passport, Costco Exec
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UAX_Brasilia
Let's see how I do... (it's called the phonetic alphabet)
Alpha
Bravo
Charlie
Delta (Dixie in ATL for obvious reasons)
Echo
Foxtrot
Golf
Hotel
India
Juliet
Kilo
Lima
Mike
November
Oscar
Papa
Qubec
Romeo
Sierra
Tengo
Uniform
Victor
Whiskey
X-Ray
Red Sox
Zulu
Sorry to dredge up a post a few pages back, but I've been away from FT for awhile.
Thought I'd point out that I've seen a few variations of spelling and pronunciation in this alphabet:
I've heard that some of these variations are to make it easier for non-native English speakers to read, understand and pronounce the characters and numerals.
Of course, as far as I've ever heard, they're mostly actually pronounced by native English speaker pilots and controllers in their normal accent. I only recall one controller (in Anchorage, anyway) that ever pronounced "three" as "tree."
I only recall one controller (in Anchorage, anyway) that ever pronounced "three" as "tree."
I've heard several controllers use "tree" for "three". There's at least one at PHL. I also hear pilots use it all the time. Of course, I'm plugged into CH9 pretty much the entire time I'm onboard anyway (assuming it's on..).
I've heard several controllers use "tree" for "three". There's at least one at PHL. I also hear pilots use it all the time. Of course, I'm plugged into CH9 pretty much the entire time I'm onboard anyway (assuming it's on..).
I'm pretty sure that's just a technique some use. I have never used "tree" for three throughout my airline or 20 year military career.
AD
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These views are my own and do not represent the views of United Airlines or the ALPA.
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Actually, FAA's AIM actually lists the desired pronunciations for the phonetic alphabet (and numbers) in section 4-2-7. Of note to this is that the official desired way of saying 3 is TREE and of 9 is NINER. A few others have "non-standard" sounds as well.
A Alfa (AL-FAH)
B Bravo (BRAH-VOH)
C Charlie (CHAR-LEE) or (SHAR-LEE)
D Delta (DELL-TAH)
E Echo (ECK-OH)
F Foxtrot (FOKS-TROT)
G Golf (GOLF)
H Hotel (HOH-TEL)
I India (IN-DEE-AH)
J Juliett (JEW-LEE-ETT)
K Kilo (KEY-LOH)
L Lima (LEE-MAH)
M Mike (MIKE)
N November (NO-VEM-BER)
O Oscar (OSS-CAH)
P Papa (PAH-PAH)
Q Quebec (KEH-BECK)
R Romeo (ROW-ME-OH)
S Sierra (SEE-AIR-RAH)
T Tango (TANG-GO)
U Uniform (YOU-NEE-FORM) or (OO-NEE-FORM)
V Victor (VIK-TAH)
W Whiskey (WISS-KEY)
X Xray (ECKS-RAY)
Y Yankee (YANG-KEY)
Z Zulu (ZOO-LOO)
1 One (WUN)
2 Two (TOO)
3 Three (TREE)
4 Four (FOW-ER)
5 Five (FIFE)
6 Six (SIX)
7 Seven (SEV-EN)
8 Eight (AIT)
9 Nine (NIN-ER)
0 Zero (ZEE-RO)
I stand corrected, although I still can't remember ever having said "Tree" before, but then I'm old now and don't remember everything anymore The other ones I have used. Most ATC communications are just normal talking. If we need to enunciate more clearly, like an international flight with foreign controllers, I'll use the phonetic alphabet more.
__________________
These views are my own and do not represent the views of United Airlines or the ALPA.
The other ones I have used. Most ATC communications are just normal talking. If we need to enunciate more clearly, like an international flight with foreign controllers, I'll use the phonetic alphabet more.
