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Old Nov 30, 2016 | 11:13 am
  #2289  
Heathrow Tower
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Join Date: Nov 2011
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Originally Posted by Globaliser
Another log question, if I may?

A few weeks back, I boarded a 744. We pushed back and taxied towards the departure runway, and then stopped - for a worryingly long time. And then we returned to stand where the engineers tried for a couple of hours to find the problem, but were unsuccessful before we ran out of time and the flight had to be scrubbed for the night.

It was a different aircraft the following evening.

As we got moving under our own power on the first attempt, does it count for an entry in my log?

The irony is that the first aircraft was one of the three remaining 744s on which I have not flown. I suppose my other question is whether I can now cross it off that list because I now have what counts as a "flight" - but I expect that that may be a matter of philosophical controversy.
Globaliser,

I was taught on my first few weeks of ATC training in my Air Law classes that the legal period of a flight begins when the aircraft first moves under its own power after the flight crew have boarded with the intention of flight. I know the definition has change subtly over the years.

Hang on, I'll have a look.

Aha!

CAP393 Air Navigation Order 2016 Page 12
Meaning of “in flight”

3.An aircraft is deemed to be in flight —
(a) in the case of a piloted flying machine, from the moment when, after the embarkation of its crew for the purpose of taking off, it first moves under its own power, until the moment when it next comes to rest after landing;
So I say it was within that definition.

However, given that it never 'landed', there would probably be arguments over when the flight ended! Perhaps once the return to stand had been decided upon, as the aircraft is no longer moving for the purpose of take off?
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