Arun Gode

Inspirational

3  

Arun Gode

Inspirational

Familiarization Flight.

Familiarization Flight.

6 mins
341


It was the age when only Air India was dominating in the aviation field in India. For safe aviation services to each customer who pays a lot of money for it. There are many agencies that pay valuable services to aviation behind the curtain. It is perhaps not known to many traveling passengers by air and the common man. They only book their tickets and go for security check-up before boarding. When they reached their destination, just pick up their luggage and proceed for their onward journey. One of the important agencies among them in aviation services in aviation meteorological services from India Meteorological department provided to it round the clock. Before proceeding for taking off any scheduled flight, the pilot of the flight takes meteorological briefing documents from the meteorological office at the airport and discusses prevailing, expected weather on the route. Without this, they are not permitted to take off their aircraft from the airport. That flight plan contains all meteorological forecast information of the route between two destinations. Besides this, an alternate forecast of two airports for emergency landing either due to technical fault or very worst weather at the desired airport. Passengers are always briefed by the pilot about weather information from time to time in the flight mode. If there is any worst weather during flight or at the time of landing, the pilot will warn the passenger to tie their belts and life safety jackets. The weather information of airports is continuously transmitted to air control traffic which is then retransmitted to all airports and en route and over skies planes in-flight information region. Just above the ground level up to one kilometer. The winds are not so strong, but they become stronger and stronger as we move above the ground levels vertically. Different flights are allotted different flight levels so that there should not be any collision between two flights. The pilot has to follow the allotted flight level. So he requires the winds in that region. Tailwind supports flight navigation and saves time and fuel whereas headwind does not support navigation. It requires more time and consumes more fuel. Accordingly pilot takes the decision of fuel payload as per aviation forecast. The presence of Thundery weather and icing due to supercooled water on aircraft bodies may cause damage to aircraft in flight. Low visibility and crosswind may lead to skid the aircraft out of the Runway.

          

To verify the accuracy of the forecast given to the pilot on some occasions between two destinations. An aviation meteorological officer is deputed under a Familiarization flight program with the pilot in his cockpit. There is a dog-eat-dog selection process in the department. Senior aviation expert officer is being deputed by the head of the region from the recommended names .


It was an opportunity for me to go for such an adventurous Familiarization flight program. I was extremely excited due to this golden chance. I had to choose the route to undertake the Familiarization flight program. Absences make the heart grow fonder. Since there was my school friend in Chennai, I decided to use this opportunity to meet with him. Out of sight, out of mind. I could not meet with him for the last many years. I got along with him during our school days. when I gave him this surprising news, he was extremely pleased with this news. He ordered me to stay with him only. Ins and outs in black and white about my schedule were sent to him. As per the approved office program, I went to Mumbai. I reached my office at the airport. Flight scheduled to Chennai was early in the morning the next day. I stayed in the office. I took the flight plan forecast of the same flight with me. Then I reached to pilot office in the Mumbai airport. I informed a concerned officer about my Familiarization flight. He asked me to wait for some time. when both the pilots of the scheduled flight came there, the concerned officer made our meeting. Then pilots asked me to follow them. When we reached in flight, he introduced me to the chief air-host. Later she took me to my seat. She told me that she would come again when the pilot would order her to call me. After some time she approached me. She took me to the cockpit. All passengers on the flight were surprised to know about me. Who was that gentleman going into the cockpit? where nobody ever allowed except pilots.


There was a seat just fitted on the backside of the entrance get of the cockpit. The Pilot himself unfolds it. He requested me to seat over it. Then I discussed the flight plan with both pilots of the route. Then we were making a tally of meteorological data with the different meters fitted in the system showing actual reading in the flight at different levels. He told me about how useful is meteorological data during the flight in operation. He told me that you had given CAT (clear air turbulence i.e weather event ) at this particular spot. They are bound to alert and adjust and control the bumpiness experienced by the plane. It helps us to counter the impact of it on planes so that aircraft should be safe from damage in flight. Since he was aware of the CAT phenomena, passengers were already informed to tie their belts. They experienced very little jerk due to CAT. They could control flight very safely and sharply. I said to them that our forecast was as right as rain. They saw me eye to eye. Then there was a time for breakfast. The pilot called the air host. Asked her to serve breakfast to me and themselves. She took away me to executive class. She asked me what I would prefer either veg or non-veg, I asked her for non-veg. she was continuously watching me and requesting me for any more items. Finally, she offered me a coffee at my request. I enjoyed it till it lasts. Finally, we reached Chennai airport In the morning. She announced that let the officer first get down. Then all passengers should follow me. This was a very wonderful, respectful experience for me as well as all passengers.


I went to my friend‘s home. He was anxiously awaiting me. He and his wife were very eager to see me. Then she served me a south Indian special breakfast prepared by her. While enjoying a tasty, healthy breakfast, we were remembering our old days and happened events of our past life mutually together. He has already planned for an outing. He booked the taxi for a day. We went to see various famous places within the city. We come back late evening. The next day I went to the airport with his due permission. I had to repeat the familiarization flight program in a similar way from Chennai to Mumbai. Then I followed the same procedure for Chennai to Mumbai Familiarization flight program. When I reached Mumbai, I completed all official formalities at the Mumbai office after the completion of the mission. The next day I came back to my native city as per the scheduled tour. This was a very memorable office tour during which I Killed two birds with one stone.  


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