Mar 12, 2018, 6:03 am
Last edit by: george77300
NEW NOVEMBER TRAINING FLIGHTS
26 Nov (Tues) to 29 Nov (Fri) on BA456/457 and BA464/465 (Total 16 Flights)
Ding Ding, The next A350 training flight with FTers in NOV. will be:
26 Nov:
457: george77300
———————————————————————————————————
The Oct. A350 familiarisation/training flights dates to MAD (Madrid, Spain) from London Heathrow (LHR) are below; The Aug. training flights are now complete and the calendar for dates the A350 flew in Aug. is in the First post below as an archive.
Oct. 2019 A350 Schedule: (first published 20/08/2019) AT RISK OF CANCELLATION! BOOK WITH AVIOS ONLY AT THIS STAGE IF YOU ARE ONLY FLYING TO TRY OUT THE A350.
Ding Ding, The next A350 training flight with FTers in Oct. will be:
2 Oct:
Oct. 2019 A350 Schedule: (first published 20/08/2019) AT RISK OF CANCELLATION! BOOK WITH AVIOS ONLY AT THIS STAGE IF YOU ARE ONLY FLYING TO TRY OUT THE A350.
Ding Ding, The next A350 training flight with FTers in Oct. will be:
2 Oct:
465: courtster, george77300
5 Oct.
456: plunet +1, Thomas PL +1
464: MrMutton, WoodleyBeacon
465: MrMutton, WoodleyBeacon
6 Oct:
464: Pack
465: Pack, plunet +1
7 Oct:
457: davm666
NO A350 TRAINING FLIGHTS AFTER OCTOBER 7TH. (7TH IS THE LAST DAY!)
If you wish to join in, please post your name directly into the wiki or in the thread and someone will add you. Format for new days or flights:
There is quite a bit of information in post 1 where a FAQ has been written to answer most questions you may have, please read that first! If you notice something missing or an error, please post and this will be added or corrected.
Updated to Post #1394
464: MrMutton, WoodleyBeacon
465: MrMutton, WoodleyBeacon
6 Oct:
464: Pack
465: Pack, plunet +1
7 Oct:
457: davm666
NO A350 TRAINING FLIGHTS AFTER OCTOBER 7TH. (7TH IS THE LAST DAY!)
If you wish to join in, please post your name directly into the wiki or in the thread and someone will add you. Format for new days or flights:
There is quite a bit of information in post 1 where a FAQ has been written to answer most questions you may have, please read that first! If you notice something missing or an error, please post and this will be added or corrected.
Updated to Post #1394
BA A350-1000 training flights meet-ups thread
Mar 14, 2018, 2:57 am
#91
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Like before BA will be carrying out short training flights to get the required number of sectors. Watch out for the usual suspects.
Mar 14, 2018, 3:53 am
#92
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: 59K
Posts: 2,301
The 350 is effectively a variant of the 380 (5 day conversion course) and many of the initial pilots will be on the 380 prior to 350 introduction. I think it’s a big assumption that there will be any sustained short haul ops. Operating the Frankfurt on the 380 actually slowed down the rate of training, sending aircraft to chateauroux was far more effective from a flight crew training point of view. The Frankfurt operation was good for cabin crew but with the 350 being just another big twin there shouldn’t be any need to replicate this part of the operation.
Mar 14, 2018, 4:58 am
#94
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Starbucks Gold,
Posts: 624
Only issue would be how soon after wheels up does the bar run out; I think it was about 100 minutes on the A350 to HEL on the way to TLL with 12 other FTers..!
Mar 14, 2018, 5:30 am
#95
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,899
Why not? I think it would be great! Push the trolley down the aisle throwing gin and champagne out left right and centre, lots of people who enjoy flying, and who are excited to be with you for a couple of hours. Party! Much rather than than a bunch of grump DYKWIA-types who are rude and surly.
Only issue would be how soon after wheels up does the bar run out; I think it was about 100 minutes on the A350 to HEL on the way to TLL with 12 other FTers..!
Only issue would be how soon after wheels up does the bar run out; I think it was about 100 minutes on the A350 to HEL on the way to TLL with 12 other FTers..!
Mar 14, 2018, 6:54 am
#97
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,357
Given BA pilots flew with Qantas before A380 introduction which is a totally different authority/licencing system, flying with IB wouldn’t actually be that difficult. Thomson pilots flew with BA (on the 777) and Virgin pilots flew with Thomson during 787 introduction.
The 350 is effectively a variant of the 380 (5 day conversion course) and many of the initial pilots will be on the 380 prior to 350 introduction. I think it’s a big assumption that there will be any sustained short haul ops. Operating the Frankfurt on the 380 actually slowed down the rate of training, sending aircraft to chateauroux was far more effective from a flight crew training point of view. The Frankfurt operation was good for cabin crew but with the 350 being just another big twin there shouldn’t be any need to replicate this part of the operation.
The 350 is effectively a variant of the 380 (5 day conversion course) and many of the initial pilots will be on the 380 prior to 350 introduction. I think it’s a big assumption that there will be any sustained short haul ops. Operating the Frankfurt on the 380 actually slowed down the rate of training, sending aircraft to chateauroux was far more effective from a flight crew training point of view. The Frankfurt operation was good for cabin crew but with the 350 being just another big twin there shouldn’t be any need to replicate this part of the operation.
They may even do this to help raise the marketing profile and do a 'media' day or something similar so will remain optimistically realistic for now.
Great to see the enthusiasm for an FT seating session!
Any other bits that may factor into the A350 short haul training being done?
So far: ARN/MAD/FRA are choices. Looking like 2019 for when...would be interesting if they do tie this into any 100 years of BA press / marketing. (hope so!)
As to crew enjoying/being repelled to the point of changing shifts: a mixed bag...some will love it and thrive on this, some will want to avoid it...we have both types on the FT forum (long live diversity)...I can see both sides to be honest. As a pax it can be great fun if the crew are interested and able to interact, but equally, there have been times when crew were trying to do nice things and some FTers published things they were asked not to (including pics) or simply the crew didn't have time (due to training or other factors) so some FTers may have felt left out or let down (unfairly to the crew)...so, maybe we'd get lucky and have a crew that embraces an aviation mad group of FTers and try where possible to make the trip that slight bit more memorable/special but equally, the thrill of a new plane and simply flying should be enough along with the enthusiasm of the fellow FTers.
And 100 minutes to drink the bar dry is no record I can promise you...for those so inclined, you can do this far quicker
and still not impact the good vibe and time of those that do not drink or find other aspects more enjoyable, again we are a diverse bunch! And you may find that the last bottle of champagne that one gets handed causes other FTers to later post and complain! (rightly so as they didn't get any! My apologies again for that situation at the time...I'll do more drinking in the lounge this time so sparing you on the plane... )safe travels everyone.
Mar 14, 2018, 6:55 am
#98
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,667
My one and only A380 flight was on a BA plane operating a LHR-FRA rotation during the initial familiarity training. With only circa 150 pax on board and probably 25% of the usual fuel load I recall the plane seemed to shoot off the runway with the engines barely above idle (am sure this was not the case in reality).
Given my long-haul flying days are long over I will try and get an A350 flight on BA if they operate short-haul ops for a while during EIS
Given my long-haul flying days are long over I will try and get an A350 flight on BA if they operate short-haul ops for a while during EIS
Mar 14, 2018, 2:23 pm
#104
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,220
1) Whilst the A350s are due to replace 744s on a one for one basis, BA will want to maximise its return through fuel savings on some of its longer routes. For this reason, I see them displacing 77Ws which, in turn, will replace 744s on routes like SAN, DEN or PHX. I also rule out SIN-SYD (initially) in case of tech issues at an outstation.
2) As we know, the A350 will feature a new ClubWorld seat, and for this reason they will likely deploy it on premier routes and where they face competition, for example. Another reason why you won't see them in SAN or PHX!
3) It is likely, in my opinion, that the A350 will feature fewer than 16 seats in F; perhaps 10 or 12. Anecdotally, I am aware that F redemptions are easier to come by on both PVG and NRT routes. Hence, the A350!
Of course, I could be completely wrong!!