Clock, compass, flight plan, map and pen...
A scribble, signifying SFA. Just idle speculation here; the sort of casual discussion you'd have over a beer. Godley's glib waffle skims over the surface of the above event, but I wonder if there are not some 'deeper' elements associated being dismissed. But, this is only a casual, stray thought or two notion.
Deep within my tech library are a few of the old style 'lever arch' binders, covered in dust, they contain old flight plans, from back in the day when 'operational control' and full reporting was mandatory, I dug out and dusted off some of the early ones to check if memory served. Some of the aircraft flown had interesting fuel systems; nacelle tanks, pod tanks, tip tanks, even a nose tank in one venerable favourite (no names). I digress. The reverse side of the plans (almost without exception) are covered in 'notes' – calculation etc. and a 'fuel table' – Mains – ON 0100 – OFF 0135; 165 minutes / Aux ON 0135 – OFF 0230 – 10 mins – Nacelle tank transfer _ Left main + 60/ X feed 30. Just a record (accurate enough - in shorthand) to keep track of where, how much and how long; lest the noise cease. On the 'plan side' the note 'TX' is mostly aligned with a position report; report due @ 0232 so tanks change, position report and back to sleep. No (gods sent) GPS to assist, so the 'focus' was very much on paying attention to weather, track, fix, speed and time; which spun back to being very fuel aware. 'Situational awareness' they call it now.
I loved the first Omega system I ever used; Ground speed/ Wind etc. all without the slightest effort; wonderful; then the GPS even better, magical stuff. All there on screen, 75% reduction in the 'what if' equation, particularly at night on long legs, with a bit of weather around. Brilliant bit of gear. However, I wonder, is there a downside to this luxury? Just a small one, it could be successfully argued that the 'luxury' allows more time to pay attention to 'other' things like, switching tanks, or turning off the auto pilot to check the trim, or even looking ahead at the weather and contemplating 'what if' it gets worse and fuel available for any diversion? GPS can't do that for you. Sure it will take you to a diversion, but that is all it will do 'Go To' Kickatinalong – easy as. Just added 30 nms to the journey – fuel sufficient? You need to know, really, you do. Even a 'post it' note stuck on the dash – change tanks before lunch @ 0100 hrs....Mind you, running a tank 'dry' was an art form, guile, cunning and an intimate knowledge of the fuel system and engine 'personality' was a prerequisite.
Of course this is all stone age stuff; modern gear solves a lot of these 'matters aeronautical' – I just wonder if there is not a penalty in 'situational awareness' due to the lack of 'effort' (for wont of better) needed to keep things right side up. Don't know, just saying – Stray thoughts with second coffee.
Toot – toot.....
A scribble, signifying SFA. Just idle speculation here; the sort of casual discussion you'd have over a beer. Godley's glib waffle skims over the surface of the above event, but I wonder if there are not some 'deeper' elements associated being dismissed. But, this is only a casual, stray thought or two notion.
Deep within my tech library are a few of the old style 'lever arch' binders, covered in dust, they contain old flight plans, from back in the day when 'operational control' and full reporting was mandatory, I dug out and dusted off some of the early ones to check if memory served. Some of the aircraft flown had interesting fuel systems; nacelle tanks, pod tanks, tip tanks, even a nose tank in one venerable favourite (no names). I digress. The reverse side of the plans (almost without exception) are covered in 'notes' – calculation etc. and a 'fuel table' – Mains – ON 0100 – OFF 0135; 165 minutes / Aux ON 0135 – OFF 0230 – 10 mins – Nacelle tank transfer _ Left main + 60/ X feed 30. Just a record (accurate enough - in shorthand) to keep track of where, how much and how long; lest the noise cease. On the 'plan side' the note 'TX' is mostly aligned with a position report; report due @ 0232 so tanks change, position report and back to sleep. No (gods sent) GPS to assist, so the 'focus' was very much on paying attention to weather, track, fix, speed and time; which spun back to being very fuel aware. 'Situational awareness' they call it now.
I loved the first Omega system I ever used; Ground speed/ Wind etc. all without the slightest effort; wonderful; then the GPS even better, magical stuff. All there on screen, 75% reduction in the 'what if' equation, particularly at night on long legs, with a bit of weather around. Brilliant bit of gear. However, I wonder, is there a downside to this luxury? Just a small one, it could be successfully argued that the 'luxury' allows more time to pay attention to 'other' things like, switching tanks, or turning off the auto pilot to check the trim, or even looking ahead at the weather and contemplating 'what if' it gets worse and fuel available for any diversion? GPS can't do that for you. Sure it will take you to a diversion, but that is all it will do 'Go To' Kickatinalong – easy as. Just added 30 nms to the journey – fuel sufficient? You need to know, really, you do. Even a 'post it' note stuck on the dash – change tanks before lunch @ 0100 hrs....Mind you, running a tank 'dry' was an art form, guile, cunning and an intimate knowledge of the fuel system and engine 'personality' was a prerequisite.
Of course this is all stone age stuff; modern gear solves a lot of these 'matters aeronautical' – I just wonder if there is not a penalty in 'situational awareness' due to the lack of 'effort' (for wont of better) needed to keep things right side up. Don't know, just saying – Stray thoughts with second coffee.
Toot – toot.....