Jumpseating!

We now have a few weeks between the LST and base check, and so in addition to spending the time to relax, I’m also going to make good use of it by sitting in the jumpseat!  Though, it has been simulated, we haven’t actually seen a real operation from A to B, so I think observing a few will really consolidate and review what we’ve done on the type rating.  In addition, I’ve been continuing to study to keep current, by practicing my memory flows, checklist responses by recording myself reading a checklist and responding, then checking, reading the FCOM and other documents such as the operations manual.

A couple of weeks ago, I was jumpseating my friend’s flights out of Stansted.  We went to Skavsta (Sweden), Pisa (Italy) and Sevilla (Spain).  There’s a lot more management required in line flying, and of course the paperwork!  I got to do the walk-around with my friend and was shown what to look for and check, to ensure the aircraft is in a safe condition to fly.  This was quite useful since we’ve not yet been shown the walk-around and though we will be soon, it was nice to get a heads up on it.  I also got to help with the paperwork, and other operations.  In the simulator, we mostly concentrated on the SOPs and handling, with some, limited simulation of talking on the radio, working with cabin crew, dispatcher, etc.  Jumpseating really gave me a good opportunity to see how the whole team works to get a flight from A to B smoothly.

The day started by checking in and printing out the necessary information such as the flight plan, weather and other bits of paperwork.  We read through all this and highlighted certain areas and made the required calculations and filled in the paperwork.  This took up to an hour (especially since I was being explained how it all worked!).  Once the Captain arrives, the crew brief together and go through all the paperwork.  Once this is done, the cabin crew and flight crew have a briefing, and when ready, the flight crew walk to the aircraft and start working in the flight deck.  Meanwhile, the cabin crew prepare the cabin and when ready board the passengers.  The dispatcher hands the Captain the loadsheet, which are the mass and balance calculations for the aircraft and includes passenger numbers.  If the aircraft is being fuelled, the fueler will come aboard to give the receipt to be signed off.  If we had any issues prior to dispatch, we also have the engineers at hand for help.  Once the doors are closed, and clearance is received from ATC, the Captain asks the ground crew to start the push-back and then when cleared, the engines are started, and off we go!  There’s a real time pressure, so everything must be slick and efficient, but above all, safe.  Nonetheless, we found that we arrived ahead of schedule or on time, so things seemed pretty relaxed.

The jumpseating will ease the transition into line flying!

Yesterday, I took the opportunity to jumpseat out of Luton as well.  It was nice to see another base and see how it was like at a smaller base.  I’ll get plenty more opportunity to do some jumpseating after my base check, which will be soon!