Calm Under Pressure: This is Why I Fly BA
Back to Forum- This topic has 76 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 20 Nov 2013
at 04:41 by IanFromHKG.
-
- Author
- Posts
- Skip to last reply Create Topic
-
VintageKrugParticipantImpressive recording of the BA38 777 crash at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Note how calm Peter Burkhill, the Captain, is during his exchanges with Air Traffic Control:
6 Jun 2013
at 09:19
Guest_PosterParticipantXuluman – 06/06/2013 09:40 GMT
I do not think this poster understands airline operations.
Given the circumstances, the stress in the pilot’s voice was commendably restrained, but I would not describe it as a calm.
But for the grace of God……
6 Jun 2013
at 09:58
openflyParticipantVK how do you know it was the Capt on the r/t? It could well have been the F/O….or even the third flight deck member…..
As someone else has mentioned, this is a strange subject to raise now. Especially in the light of the failings surrounding the A319 incident a few days ago!
6 Jun 2013
at 10:03
XulumanParticipantThere are only three transmissions from the BA038 on the video.
An extreme situation, and one that understandably created panic. This is not an example of remaining calm, but of the effects of stress during an emergency. Quite the opposite to the thread title.
The controllers do however need to be applauded for their reaction.
6 Jun 2013
at 10:31
Guest_PosterParticipantXuluman – 06/06/2013 10:31 GMT
Perhaps the worst psychological aspect of BA38 was the lack of options available for the pilots and the lack of thinking time, it was literally a matter of reducing the flap setting and hoping they had enough energy to make the runway.
If you contrast this incident with the USAir that lost both engines after the bird strike out of La Guardia, Sullenberger had the time (and knowledge/skill/experience) to consider the options and make a reasoned decision and his voice reflects that, in the ATC tapes.
The common aspect of both ATC tapes is the commendable reaction by the controllers in London and New York.
6 Jun 2013
at 10:38
VintageKrugParticipantThe pilot never lost his job, he took voluntary redundancy.
Willie stated at a Shareholder’s meeting that “I’d like to have him back”, and that’s exactly what happened; he now flies 777s.
6 Jun 2013
at 10:49
TimFitzgeraldTCParticipantThat may be the case in black & white but BA’s treatment of him sounded very poor. Gagging orders, internal snipping, trying to undermine him and damaging his integrity. Not what I would expect from a world class airline or organisation!
6 Jun 2013
at 11:18
VintageKrugParticipantIt wasn’t the airline/corporate who were treating him poorly, undermining him and damaging his integrity.
There was, however, as you say, an appalling internal campaign against him. Can you guess who orchestrated such anti-pilot vitriol?
The airline – and Willie Walsh himself – was more than happy to offer him his job back.
6 Jun 2013
at 11:22
superchrisParticipantVK, on the defence of BA’s safety record are we??
Would be interesting to hear the tape from the Oslo flight as I suggest this wouldnt be so calm when the reality of the situation dawned of a major engineering balls up.
6 Jun 2013
at 11:27 -
AuthorPosts
