Fun times at Skywest

Their response is known as startle factor. The guy probably had no idea what he was saying on the radio.

Indeed...tough to understand if it has never happened to you, but which we are all susceptible to.

At the non-NJC NJC this year, I'll show the recording of me nearly getting shot down by a SAM over Iraq in 2003 where I was surprised to find myself in a life-threatening situation. I also keyed the mic and let out a series of verbal farts that were about all I could eke out on my reduced IQ in that moment -- stuff which sounds totally idiotic at zero knots and 1G watching the recording back.
 
You're going to have to explain that one to me, since I have thousands of hours in that airplane, and can't imagine any reasonable profile that would include a speed of under 200 knots in the climb.
What's happening is that the companies are using smart CI. Makes sense- it saves fuel. In everything written about it, however, the pilot is reminded that they are pilots and if you get a smart CI number that you feel is not safe, DONT FLY IT!
The other issue is that these numbers are, I believe, based upon use of auto throttle- which of course the CRJ series do not have. It would not take much while flying at these low smart CI numbers to get a rapid decrease in speed to the point where you have no choice but to lower the nose.
Finally I'm sick of pilots saying "it's the company's fault". You're a freaking pilot for crying out loud. Act like one.
(That last rant is not aimed at you ATN).
 
Indeed...tough to understand if it has never happened to you, but which we are all susceptible to.

At the non-NJC NJC this year, I'll show the recording of me nearly getting shot down by a SAM over Iraq in 2003 where I was surprised to find myself in a life-threatening situation. I also keyed the mic and let out a series of verbal farts that were about all I could eke out on my reduced IQ in that moment -- stuff which sounds totally idiotic at zero knots and 1G watching the recording back.
Probably sounds like the recording of me on guard while, as I was flying by a Patriot missile battery in Kuwait, Kuwait air defense came up on guard and says "Aircraft squawking #####(my squawk), this is Kuwaiti Air Defense, identify yourself immediately or you will be fired upon." I think I actually mentioned Allah in my plea to them not to launch a flaming telephone pole at me.
 
I know you are. I just wanted an excuse to get up close to a U2 since the meetngreet fizzled.

Bad ass photo.

Saw one VERY up close in a hanger at Hickam back in the 80's while repairing a 135's engine that we suck a bunch of Wake Island fowl into. So freaking cool.
 
Saw one VERY up close in a hanger at Hickam back in the 80's while repairing a 135's engine that we suck a bunch of Wake Island fowl into. So freaking cool.

I was gonna post a couple shots I took of the Dragon Lady at Hickam earlier this year, but the only ones I can find are what I took of the rental Mustang we were using as a mobile chase car.

EDIT: Here's a pic of a Deuce and a Hertz Penske GT Mustang mobile out at Hickam.
017FB95B-E2BA-4193-BB19-ABDF973B850B_zpsfvalplnj.jpg
 
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What's happening is that the companies are using smart CI. Makes sense- it saves fuel. In everything written about it, however, the pilot is reminded that they are pilots and if you get a smart CI number that you feel is not safe, DONT FLY IT!
The other issue is that these numbers are, I believe, based upon use of auto throttle- which of course the CRJ series do not have. It would not take much while flying at these low smart CI numbers to get a rapid decrease in speed to the point where you have no choice but to lower the nose.
Finally I'm sick of pilots saying "it's the company's fault". You're a freaking pilot for crying out loud. Act like one.
(That last rant is not aimed at you ATN).
When I flew the RJ at OO, I remember getting cost indexes of .63 sometimes. Both me and the FO would look at each other and roll our eyes thinking, yeah like were really stupid enough to do .63 in this thing. Without knowing too much about this incident, my hopes are someone wasn't stupid enough to do .63 or any low speed at high altitude.
 
Probably sounds like the recording of me on guard while, as I was flying by a Patriot missile battery in Kuwait, Kuwait air defense came up on guard and says "Aircraft squawking #####(my squawk), this is Kuwaiti Air Defense, identify yourself immediately or you will be fired upon." I think I actually mentioned Allah in my plea to them not to launch a flaming telephone pole at me.
Just remember try not to sound like a Texan when saying Allah akbar. It's more like Allaa Aackbarrrrrrrrrr (too much?) :)
 
Probably sounds like the recording of me on guard while, as I was flying by a Patriot missile battery in Kuwait, Kuwait air defense came up on guard and says "Aircraft squawking #####(my squawk), this is Kuwaiti Air Defense, identify yourself immediately or you will be fired upon." I think I actually mentioned Allah in my plea to them not to launch a flaming telephone pole at me.

Sometimes I like the ALR-69. Sometimes it's just better to not look at it.
 
I was gonna post a couple shots I took of the Dragon Lady at Hickam earlier this year, but the only ones I can find are what I took of the rental Mustang we were using as a mobile chase car.

Kinda redundant, yeah?
 
When I flew the RJ at OO, I remember getting cost indexes of .63 sometimes. Both me and the FO would look at each other and roll our eyes thinking, yeah like were really stupid enough to do .63 in this thing. Without knowing too much about this incident, my hopes are someone wasn't stupid enough to do .63 or any low speed at high altitude.
I would have to double check my old charts but I don't think that Mach in and of itself would be a problem. The problem would be that without auto throttles the PF would have to be on the ball and paying attention at all times. In theory that sounds great and I'm sure some will jump up and down and say a pilot should always be paying attention. But on day four of a trip blocked at 25+ hours... well, I'm a realist.
 
Just returned from the school house for annual good times. Not surprising, this topic is all the rage.
 
So, what's the hot scuttlebutt, then?

Aside from reminding folks about simply flying the plane and to do "pilot stuff" can't really say much else. Some discussions on root causes, culture, high altitude ops and a bit of finger pointing along with some ire toward the feds for overreacting. I personally don't mind the low end speed restriction (never flew the lower econ speeds anyway), but the altitude portion is craptastic.
 
Aside from reminding folks about simply flying the plane and to do "pilot stuff" can't really say much else. Some discussions on root causes, culture, high altitude ops and a bit of finger pointing along with some ire toward the feds for overreacting. I personally don't mind the low end speed restriction (never flew the lower econ speeds anyway), but the altitude portion is craptastic.
If a speed command is unsafely (or unrealistically) low, do not fly it.

What's unsafe or unrealistic? That's up to the guys in front, of course. (I don't drag-ass in bumps, and I don't gum up the works, even if the airplane is "perfectly capable" of dragging ass. Taxi slower.)
 
Aside from reminding folks about simply flying the plane and to do "pilot stuff" can't really say much else. Some discussions on root causes, culture, high altitude ops and a bit of finger pointing along with some ire toward the feds for overreacting. I personally don't mind the low end speed restriction (never flew the lower econ speeds anyway), but the altitude portion is craptastic.
What's up dude. Where's the airstream these days?
 
If anyone is curious, the "parting gift" from Jeremy Peterson before he "returns to the line" is to turn off the SAPA forums in the middle of a pay vote.
 
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