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Blue_Tires

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11. Do you miss the concept of a flight engineer?

Mon Apr 2, 2012, 10:07 AM

Apr 2012

Last edited Mon Apr 2, 2012, 01:24 PM - Edit history (1)

Did you appreciate another set of eyes? Or did you think it non-essential, or that it could only add to confusion during a crisis? (maybe I already asked you this...)

and I swear; last question: Do you still fly recreationally?

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57 replies

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Highlight:

First test flight on Boeing 727. [View all] trof Mar 2012 OP

What is "grease one on?" Blue_Tires Mar 2012 #1

A really smooth landing. trof Mar 2012 #3

Yeah, they had to drag out the elevated platform for engine maintenance. trof Mar 2012 #6

Actually the #2 engine wasn't bad to work on IMO Populist_Prole Apr 2012 #31

Interesting story about the 'S' duct, the L-1011, and the DC-10. This may be a bit long... trof Apr 2012 #43

I've read some people in the industry say Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #44

I guess i'd agree. n/t trof Apr 2012 #45

Very plausible. Always thought that was a bizarre way of mounting the center engine Populist_Prole Apr 2012 #46

I can't believe how quickly they were getting the plane stopped even on a wet runway. pa28 Mar 2012 #2

A couple of well-detailed sim videos -- Love the worn, "survivor" look... Blue_Tires Mar 2012 #4

Boy, that takes me back. I was F/E on the 3 holer for a while. trof Apr 2012 #49

As I understand it the 727 wasn't initially manufactured with an APU. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2012 #5

Didn't know that. Thanks. trof Mar 2012 #7

I also meant to ask: Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #8

Never flew the DC-10 trof Apr 2012 #9

Do you miss the concept of a flight engineer? Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #11

I began at TWA as a flight engineer. trof Apr 2012 #13

The concept the FAA is promoting is the box flies the plane from start to finish Major Nikon Apr 2012 #19

I read Michael O'Leary was harping about the same thing Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #24

Progress. trof Apr 2012 #40

Progress for some, regression for others Major Nikon Apr 2012 #42

If it means anything, I'm very sorry about what happened with the Icahn mess Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #26

I'll say this for Carl Icahn (grudgingly) trof Apr 2012 #39

All anyone really needs to know about Frank is... av8rdave Apr 2012 #55

Having a flight engineer was great! av8rdave Apr 2012 #54

For those who haven't seen it: Original launch brochure Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #10

Worked on them earlier part in my career Populist_Prole Apr 2012 #12

Wow so the auto-spoilers deployed with wheel rotation rather than "weight on wheels"? cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #14

Not dangerous at all. It's very common on other commercial airliners as well Populist_Prole Apr 2012 #15

Weight on wheels for autospoilers can actually be pretty dangerous av8rdave Apr 2012 #56

The rear airstairs had little winglets on them after DB Cooper.... TheMightyFavog Apr 2012 #16

We called it the 'Cooper switch' or 'Cooper lock'. trof Apr 2012 #20

I did some back research into that story Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #23

One of her relatives KT2000 Apr 2012 #17

Yeah, the military has gotten a lot of extended life out of the older frames Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #21

I've refueled from KC-135 many times. My first time was from a KC-97. trof Apr 2012 #22

Too slow for jets? But it has such a low drag coefficient and frontal profile!! Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #25

That's impressive KT2000 Apr 2012 #28

Most frightening thing I've ever done.* trof Apr 2012 #29

Love this - thank you KT2000 Apr 2012 #32

That's very gratifying. Thank you. trof Apr 2012 #35

This is a great great post! Thank you for sharing it petronius Apr 2012 #33

Thank you. trof Apr 2012 #36

That's amazing! Talk about a hairy situation... Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #37

A good tanker driver really helped. trof Apr 2012 #41

I have a refueling story for you, though I wasn't involved except on the maintenance end of it... cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #47

Yeah, it happens. Here's my refueling/midair collision story: (Warning, another long one) trof Apr 2012 #48

Another good one! Thanks KT2000 Apr 2012 #53

It could have been a lot more exciting if Tex Johnston had been captain Major Nikon Apr 2012 #18

I haven't seen that video in many years av8rdave Apr 2012 #27

Oh yeah...memories. trof Apr 2012 #30

TWA had a CV 880 TheCentepedeShoes Apr 2012 #34

Ha! That coulda been me! trof Apr 2012 #38

Thanks for making me feel like I was riding along, trof. Ptah Apr 2012 #50

Thank you, Ptah. trof Apr 2012 #51

I've been told that the B-52 was like a fly-rod; flexible and fluid. Ptah Apr 2012 #52

During my 30 years as a mechanic BlueCollar Apr 2012 #57