Words fail me!! 'armless pilot?
Discussion
I wouldn't be speechless at all for a variety of reasons -
i) it was an airliner with a co-pilot
ii) it is perfectly possible to work a control yoke with one hand
iii) lots of pilots successfully fly aircraft with missing limbs (Douglas Bader anyone?)
Apart from the sudden realisation that the limb had come loose, I would have thought that there was no real problem of significance at all.
i) it was an airliner with a co-pilot
ii) it is perfectly possible to work a control yoke with one hand
iii) lots of pilots successfully fly aircraft with missing limbs (Douglas Bader anyone?)
Apart from the sudden realisation that the limb had come loose, I would have thought that there was no real problem of significance at all.
Eric Mc said:
I wouldn't be speechless at all for a variety of reasons -
i) it was an airliner with a co-pilot
ii) it is perfectly possible to work a control yoke with one hand
iii) lots of pilots successfully fly aircraft with missing limbs (Douglas Bader anyone?)
Apart from the sudden realisation that the limb had come loose, I would have thought that there was no real problem of significance at all.
But not throttles and yoke at the same time according to the article!!i) it was an airliner with a co-pilot
ii) it is perfectly possible to work a control yoke with one hand
iii) lots of pilots successfully fly aircraft with missing limbs (Douglas Bader anyone?)
Apart from the sudden realisation that the limb had come loose, I would have thought that there was no real problem of significance at all.
Eric Mc said:
I wouldn't be speechless at all for a variety of reasons -
i) it was an airliner with a co-pilot
ii) it is perfectly possible to work a control yoke with one hand
iii) lots of pilots successfully fly aircraft with missing limbs (Douglas Bader anyone?)
Apart from the sudden realisation that the limb had come loose, I would have thought that there was no real problem of significance at all.
Well in that case I respectfully ask that you re-read the article which invalidates arguments i) and ii) and as far as I am aware, DB did not fly commercial airliners.i) it was an airliner with a co-pilot
ii) it is perfectly possible to work a control yoke with one hand
iii) lots of pilots successfully fly aircraft with missing limbs (Douglas Bader anyone?)
Apart from the sudden realisation that the limb had come loose, I would have thought that there was no real problem of significance at all.
In his later life he certainly flew civilian aircraft with co-pilots. He was a corporate pilot with Shell Aviation and flew Doves and Herons.
I did read the article (and listened to the news reports on the radio) and as far as I can see at no point in the proceedings was the aircraft or its occupants in any serious danger.
I did read the article (and listened to the news reports on the radio) and as far as I can see at no point in the proceedings was the aircraft or its occupants in any serious danger.
jagracer said:
Eric, the only thing that puzzles me is why it was a reported incident. As a layman I would find this more amusing than shocking and no big deal.
Exactly.I think the reason that it was investigated and reported on is that there is a possibility that it COULD have been more serious and the report will alert crews to being aware that this could happen and that any pilots using prosthetics should perhaps ensure that everything is screwed/strapped on properly
Eric Mc said:
I did read the article (and listened to the news reports on the radio) and as far as I can see at no point in the proceedings was the aircraft or its occupants in any serious danger.
I would suggest conditions enabled the outcome to be favourable - The moment the prosthesis became detached there was a significant increase in risk to which the only mitigation was the Pilot's quick wittedness.The Article said:
While he had thought about getting his co-pilot to take control, the time available and the challenging conditions meant his best course of action was to move his right hand from the power levers on to the yoke to regain control.
"He did this, but with power still applied and possibly a gust affecting the aircraft, a normal touchdown was followed by a bounce, from which the aircraft landed heavily," the report found.
The AAIB reported that the captain had said that in future he would be more cautious about checking the attachment on his prosthesis as he may have dislodged the latching mechanism.
He also said he would brief his co-pilots about the possibility of a similar event and that they should be ready to take control at any time.
"He did this, but with power still applied and possibly a gust affecting the aircraft, a normal touchdown was followed by a bounce, from which the aircraft landed heavily," the report found.
The AAIB reported that the captain had said that in future he would be more cautious about checking the attachment on his prosthesis as he may have dislodged the latching mechanism.
He also said he would brief his co-pilots about the possibility of a similar event and that they should be ready to take control at any time.
Ooo that's embarrassing, I wonder what the crew room banter will be like after that 
I feel a bit sorry for the bloke, I've never heard of prosthetic arms for pilots, legs yes. Good on the airline and him though and I hope he's back on the line.
I will say there is a safety issue here...
Only once (that was enough) have I had to take control from a co pilot in the late stages of landing. He had let it get too far out of shape moments from touch down and we were running out of runway fast. The jet had lost too much energy, as such it's the only time (bar the simulator) that I have had to use max thrust and full back pressure on the stick simultaneously to avoid the nose gear hitting first. Scared the s
te out of me as it pitched over.
A nose first landing is not a good thing....The jet did hit the runway, firm but not hard before we sailed back into the air. I had to call engineers as I thought that it may have been a "3 pointer".
Sobering.
I feel a bit sorry for the bloke, I've never heard of prosthetic arms for pilots, legs yes. Good on the airline and him though and I hope he's back on the line.
I will say there is a safety issue here...
Only once (that was enough) have I had to take control from a co pilot in the late stages of landing. He had let it get too far out of shape moments from touch down and we were running out of runway fast. The jet had lost too much energy, as such it's the only time (bar the simulator) that I have had to use max thrust and full back pressure on the stick simultaneously to avoid the nose gear hitting first. Scared the s
te out of me as it pitched over. A nose first landing is not a good thing....The jet did hit the runway, firm but not hard before we sailed back into the air. I had to call engineers as I thought that it may have been a "3 pointer".
Sobering.
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