It’s the SELCAL (Selective Calling) feature of HF radio communications. Rather than having to have the volume turned up and listen to atmospherics and static all the way across the Atlantic, for example, when ATC wanted to ‘chat’ they would ping the SELCAL code and a buzzer/bell would go off in the cockpit, prompting the crew to turn the volume of the HF radio up.

Love this thread! I learn something new (pretty much) every time I come here!

What is the logic to the SELCAL code that is allotted to a particular aircraft? (Assuming there is some... there usually is in aviation!)

rb211.

Its a random 4 letter code. It activates a bing bong chime similar to the cabin crew chime and an amber light illuminates.
Flying across the middle os Siberia one night we got a call, when answered it was engineering suggesting we operated the No2 engine at flight idle for the rest of the flight as they predicted it would fail in the next few hours. Very reassuring.
Fortunately it lasted until landing at London.

That's wonderful stuff - impressive to hear about the theory, but even better to know that it works in practice.

Back in the day, HAECO had a building the size of an aircraft hanger, with one wall covered in TV monitors with a couple of dozen guys watching the performance of the airborne aircraft.
Fast forward to today, it is a couple of guys in a small room with a computer terminal to do the same job.

Fantastic, thank you for your explanation.

Was there ever a time when JNB had four pilots on board? If there was, could a flight still have been operated legally if one of the pilots had gone sick before departure, leaving only three who could fly? (Ignoring, for these purposes, union agreements about crewing levels.)

I’m not a pilot but I think the answer is yes and yes.

Can I Help You is correct.
With captains discretion LHR-JNB could be operated by 2 pilots.

Thank you very much, both of you!

Hello! Was wondering if anyone in BA's fare department lurks here?

I asked a similar question in the Newquay thread a few weeks ago. I'm looking to book NQY->(LHR/LGW)->UVF for Feb next year. I can do so for EDI/GLA/MAN etc, but not NQY as there are no suitable fares in the system.

I have tried with the multi-city tool as well.

When would it be reasonable to expect these to be added? Will they be added at all - I wouldn't want to wait forever and then the flight fills (half term next Feb already looking a little busy!) In the worst case, I'll book as two separate PNR, but in these times it would be a little foolish to do so. Is there anyway an agent can put a request through for one to be added? (I did ask a BA Holiday agent who said 'no').

LF

This is a known, ongoing, issue, due to the fares not being loaded, as you say. No date for a fix, probably very low down the priorities at the moment!

Question for ATC. I notice today that both runways were in use - 27R for landing and 27L for takeoff.
How hard will it be to go back to dual runway high intensity operations when they return?
As pilots and cabin crew have to maintain recency on their aircraft type, will there be time spent in the simulator to get back into the routine?

Following a timetable change, I need to rebook a BA Holidays flight. BA Holidays are currently on a 45 minute hold time, and have been all week. When I tried the flight only option, I was told they could not make the change and transferred me.
Do BA still maintain ticket desks in Terminal 5 where I can do this when I am there this week?

One for the pilots. How do the COVID-19 cargo flights work when some countries are quarantining or prohibiting non-nationals from arriving? Do inbound crew fly out with the outbound crew? Do they sleep on board when landing or return within a few hours?