Recently a question was raised as to how long flight crew work a day. Well I guess it would therefore be justifiable to write the following…

Firstly, let me explain that all pilot licence holders are bound by regulations not to fly when affected by fatigue. As a professional pilot licence holder, we do have the privilege of calling in sick when we are really not fit to fly. In training school, we are taught Human Performance and Limitations, which is in essence a crash course for a Medical Degree!

As an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holder, the airline is responsible for guidelines known as Flight Time Limitation (FTL) scheme for its crewmembers to avoid fatigue and thus ensuring crew are well rested prior to each flight duty. As a guide, the Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) 371 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom is the document most airlines adhere to. The CAP 371 was published after much study was made with regards to fatigue in flight crew. It provides a set of work pattern for flight crews and flight attendants designed to prevent the onset of fatigue. From the CAP 371, airlines then work out a set of working patterns.

Factors affecting our working hours include the number of sectors (flights) we do that particular day, as well as the reporting time of that particular day. From there, there is a something called ‘earned rest’ whereby the crewmembers must be given this rest period before the onset of the next duty period. Confused yet? 



(read more...)

I am into photography, and when I was asked to take more pics to accompany my blog entries, I was more than happy. However, if I were to walk around with a big DSLR in my uniform, one might think that I am not into my job (come on, photography is my hobby!!!).

These pics were taken with my only alternative (a lousy 2MP phone camera - on offline during cruising, of course!). At times like these....I MISS MY CAMERAS!

Let's let the pictures tell you what I saw....

(looking right)

(looking left)
(read more...)