Observation flights: A great experience!!

Heya!

Last weekend I made two observation flights with Thomas Cook. There's one word to describe them: Amazing!! They were great and I look forward to do more observation flights and even more, I look forward to start my career as an airline pilot! Really, this is the best job you could get. I mean, you're given a plane to fly, and you get paid for it! :-)

These two observation flights showed me what it's really like to be an airline pilot and they were also very motivating. My first flight was on Saturday night to Girona. I arrived at the crew room at around 8pm and was given the flightplan, weather information and Notams. The crew had not yet arrived so I had time to go through the papers. Soon after, cabin crew started to arrive and everyone was very friendly. I felt quite at ease immediately. The First Officer of my flight then arrived and we went through the flightplan and papers together. The Captain arrived shortly afterwards. The flight crew was very friendly and they kept telling me to ask any questions I would have which was of course very encouraging. We then took the crew bus, passed through security and then took another bus to the plane. In the cockpit, I watched as the First Officer entered the flightplan into the FMS. Anyway we took off at around 2200 and all I can say is that it was a great experience! I also had the headset on so I listened to all radio communications going on. We flew towards France, over Paris and the Captain told me to take his seat! I was like...."wow... first observation flight and I'm sitting in the Captain's seat!" The First Officer asked me to try and enter the return flight plan into the FMS, which I did with his help of course. Mid-way through the flight it was dinner time. Anyway we started our descent (where I was back in the jump seat of course ;-) ) and soon landed in Girona. The whole flight was WOW and all the crew were really friendly and I got along quite well with them. The turnaround wasn't quite long and after some further preparations we were taxiing again to the runway for our return flight. Back in Brussels, surprisingly enough it was cloudy! But it was cool descending through the clouds, and it were you can really realise how fast you'd be flying! We landed back in Brussels and after the shutdown checks we took the bus back to the crew room. Overall it was one great experience. Below is a picture of the aircraft I flew on (OO-TCI) (thanks and credit to the photographer and Airliners.net)

My next flight was to Lourdes on Monday morning so I had to wake up at 3am! I arrived at the crew room and once again was given the flightplan, weather and notams and started to read through them. The crew arrived shortly and once again they were very friendly. I went through the flightplan with them. We then took the crew bus to the security checkpoint and then to the aircraft (OO-TCP). The Captain asked we whether I want to observe the cockpit preparation or perform the walkaround with him. I decided to see the walkaround. Surprisingly enough... it was raining!! Anyway, we took off at about 6am. During the cruise, I really enjoyed talking to the crew and they answered any questions I had. The captain also told me about his training, and I also heard some stories be has been through during flying. The weather at Lourdes was rather cloudy but I could see the Pyrenees mountain tops sticking out of the clouds. Below the clouds, the view was amazing! Anyway, we landed at Lourdes and then started the preparations for the return trip. Turn-around was a bit long, but soon we were on our way back to Brussels. Ater descending through the typical Belgian clouds, we landed in Brussels airport and that was the end of my second observation flight. It was another amazing experience and it was all motivating for me, and ye, I want to fly!!

I would like to thank all the crew of both flights, both flight crew and cabin crew, who made these observation flights as best as they could. I would like to thank the flight crew for showing me what a typical flight would be like and for also answering my questions and sharing their experience with me throughout the flights. Thanks a lot!!

As for the rest, over here things are going well. Today I have a demo sim session in the Boeing 737-800 as part of the instrumentation course. I'm really looking forward to it! I also got my Gas Turbines progress test result and it was ok. Next week I have the second Air Law test so I've got quite a lot to study this week. I still don't know whether I have any FNPT-II sim sessions this week. Anyway, I'm off to start preparing for today's sim session in the 737.

I would also like to wish my girlfriend the best of luck during her stay in Egypt. You're in my mind ;-) and I hope to see you in August!! Miss you!!

Till next time... bye bye