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ppragman · February 13th, 2008, 09:25

Interesting thread so far. Here's my $.02

As for flying the prof's, it depends. If you have no other reason to fly different than the profile than you want to, then, welllllllllll......that might not be the best reason. However, if you have a rationale for it, that makes good common sense, then fly how you need to fly. Don't mindlessly follow any profile or technique. Understand why, and if you have to adjust accordingly.

For example:

Our company specifies 180KIAS (be1900) in the climb up to 10K then maintain 500fpm all the way up to the flight levels. However, if you climb at 180Kias on a day where its warm enough for icing (alaska) then you won't make 10 grande. You'll have so much ice on the wings after climbing at about an average of 1200fpm that several captains who strictly adhere to the profs have had to turn back.

The book minimum speed for icing is 160Kias. When I penetrate a layer on an icy day, I pitch for 160 so I can get through in about half the time and don't have to fight it. Is it safe? yes. Is it professional? yes. Does it stray from the company procedures....yes.

That being said, I'm a FO. If the captain wants to pitch for 180, more power to him, but I get a little jervous and nerky with all the ice building up and our performance rapidly dropping off.

What I'm saying is "use your head!" Don't just do things for "#####s and giggles," but you are still pilots and are entitled to some say about the operation of the airplane while you're at the wheel. Safety first, company money second, personal desires third.

February 13th, 2008, 09:25	#34
ppragman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Anchorage Posts: 673	Re: How airliners climb Interesting thread so far. Here's my $.02 As for flying the prof's, it depends. If you have no other reason to fly different than the profile than you want to, then, welllllllllll......that might not be the best reason. However, if you have a rationale for it, that makes good common sense, then fly how you need to fly. Don't mindlessly follow any profile or technique. Understand why, and if you have to adjust accordingly. For example: Our company specifies 180KIAS (be1900) in the climb up to 10K then maintain 500fpm all the way up to the flight levels. However, if you climb at 180Kias on a day where its warm enough for icing (alaska) then you won't make 10 grande. You'll have so much ice on the wings after climbing at about an average of 1200fpm that several captains who strictly adhere to the profs have had to turn back. The book minimum speed for icing is 160Kias. When I penetrate a layer on an icy day, I pitch for 160 so I can get through in about half the time and don't have to fight it. Is it safe? yes. Is it professional? yes. Does it stray from the company procedures....yes. That being said, I'm a FO. If the captain wants to pitch for 180, more power to him, but I get a little jervous and nerky with all the ice building up and our performance rapidly dropping off. What I'm saying is "use your head!" Don't just do things for "#####s and giggles," but you are still pilots and are entitled to some say about the operation of the airplane while you're at the wheel. Safety first, company money second, personal desires third.