BrunoSBGR From Brazil, joined Jun 2005, 36 posts, RR: 0 Posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 13105 times:
Hey everyone,
I was just navigating through the top views from last 24hs and came across this picture of a KLM MD-11 taking off.
Marinus (the photographer) asks in his remarks "what is the pilot doing?".
Judging by his position, I would guess that the 1st officer is flying the plane, and
the pilot is reaching for the gear handle to raise it (the plane just took off, and you can see that the gear bay is still closed).
Since the gear handle is kinda "far" from his seat, the pilot has to stretch a little bit to reach it, what explains his....hum.......position.
Chqdispatch From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 50 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 13031 times:
Jaxs170 From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 99 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 12909 times:
That would be unusual from my experience for the guy in the left seat to reach across and get the gear, though granted I do not know the exact layout of the MD-11 flight deck (but on a Boeing it would be unusual). Radios or, as was said earlier, adjusting the instruments/auto-pilot settings is probably the answer (or possibly taking off right into the sun and ducking behind the glare shield).
BrunoSBGR From Brazil, joined Jun 2005, 36 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 12859 times:
Quoting Jaxs170 (Reply 3): That would be unusual from my experience for the guy in the left seat to reach across and get the gear, though granted I do not know the exact layout of the MD-11 flight deck (but on a Boeing it would be unusual). Radios or, as was said earlier, adjusting the instruments/auto-pilot settings is probably the answer (or possibly taking off right into the sun and ducking behind the glare shield).
The MD-11 cockpit layout is similar to Boeing/Airbus cockpits. The gear handle is located on the right side, next to the system's screen(s) - forgot the name of that now....
When the co-pilot is flying the plane, the captain is responsible for adjusting instruments, retracting gear, flaps and make all the settings during all phases of the flight.
I agree that he could be adjusting instruments, but judging by the fact that the three-holer has just taken off and gear is not retracted yet, I guess he's reaching to retract it.
CALpilot From United States of America, joined Oct 1999, 995 posts, RR: 15 Reply 8, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 12499 times:
[quote=Jaxs170,reply=3]That would be unusual from my experience for the guy in the left seat to reach across and get the gear[/quote
Well Jax thats funny because every airliner I've ever flown from the left seat, I've had to reach across to grab the handle. In all of your experience which airplanes did you not reach for the gear?
PhilSquares From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 12216 times:
Quoting Jaxs170 (Reply 3): That would be unusual from my experience for the guy in the left seat to reach across and get the gear, though granted I do not know the exact layout of the MD-11 flight deck (but on a Boeing it would be unusual).
I don't know what Boeings you've flown, but all the one's I've flown from the left seat, it's a very long reach to get the gear handle.
On the 744, I have to release my shoulder harness to get the gear up!
Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Reply 12, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 12132 times:
Quoting PhilSquares (Reply 10): but all the one's I've flown from the left seat, it's a very long reach to get the gear handle.
All the airliners I've been on it's a VERY long reach: All the way up from Y class.
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4538 posts, RR: 26 Reply 14, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 12074 times:
He is definitely reaching for the gear handle. I have seen this in action on a 737...it is quite a reach for the captain. Because the aircraft apparently just lifted off and the gear is not yet retracted, we are looking at the very moment he should be raising the gear. Gear retraction is immediate and one of the first things taken care of after liftoff. So in regards to adjusting instruments, I seriously doubt it. My guess is 100% for Captain retracting the gear.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
SkyWestFan From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 179 posts, RR: 5 Reply 18, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 11646 times:
I think Silver1s right. Hes obviously not the FP this leg so that would make more than enough sense. Ive flown an MD-11 Level 4 sim and its quite a reach for anything in the cockpit.
FLY2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 10978 times:
If you look very closely, the forward gear doors look just slightly open, i.e. not completely flush with the fuselage. I say that proves that the gear is just about to start the up cycle.
XFSUgimpLB41X From United States of America, joined Aug 2000, 3958 posts, RR: 36 Reply 20, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 10975 times:
Definitely raising the gear. I make the same kind of motion when I'm reaching for the gear and it isn't near as long of a reach in the CRJ.
FSPilot747 From United States of America, joined Oct 1999, 3599 posts, RR: 14 Reply 22, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 8931 times:
Well based on the cockpit photo it looks like he's reaching forward for the gear. No need for an investigation..
65captin From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 94 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (7 years 11 months 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 8755 times:
BrunoSBGR...I dont see the similarity of MD-11 cockpits to Boeing and Airbus flightdecks.
If u look at the picture a few posts up the gear in dead-center of the cockpit.
Its within easy reach that does not require that kind of reach like the one of the KLM pic.
Personally I dont think he's reaching for the gear handle at all. Likely something feel on the floor.
65Captin
"Dont you ever say an unkind word about Morris Day and Jerome!"
25 AirWillie6475: He is definately not in the act of raising the gear. I just finished viewing a takeoff clip of a md11. The pilot didn't have to move his arm that much
26 FSPilot747: He's gotta reach forward to get the gear handle, doesn't he? More than one airline pilot who actually fly these things have said the same. What's the
28 Silver1SWA: Ugh, I seriously hate these debates on this site. The answer can be clear as day yet there's always a few that have to complicate things. A overhead p
29 65captin: U know what no sense in debating over it. I was just stating my 2 cents. Somebody shoot me!!!
30 NightFlier: Maybe he dropped something on the floor, like his pen. If the first Officer was flying chances are the Capt was handling all the radio communications.
32 Silver1SWA: Picking up a pen would be very insignificant compared to raising the landing gear given the situation this aircraft appears to be in at the time of th
33 Silver1SWA: This site has proven that even if the pilot himself came on here and told everyone what he was doing in the pic, it still wouldn't be good enough for
34 Vinceb1117: He's saying "Why does this glareshield smell so wierd!?"
35 Soaringadi: http://www.a340.net/ Go to this website, and download some of the cockpit videos.... yo'll see that when and if the f/o. is flying, the captain has to
36 Jumbojet: I second the big wet fart, though it might have been the 'burning brakes' fart and he was checking for skid marks
37 Emrecan: His back was aching and he was trying to relax
39 IL76: Again proof how a cheezy comment gets you lots of hits. He forgot to mention that the pilot didn't use bleach last time he washed his shirt. This guy
40 HaveBlue: CALpilot, I was just curious as to why you have VC10 twice on your Respected Users list? Oh, and nice post by the way
41 VS74741R: The forward gear doors are always slightly open while the gear is down, therefore it doesn't prove that the gears are just starting to be retracted.
42 Silver1SWA: Then the Captain should be busy monitoring instruments and calling out speeds rather than say...adjusting his seat, or reaching for a pen or whatever
46 BoeingATL: loved the humorous responses. . . mine? Who's gear is he retracting?
47 ACDC8: Maybe the C of G was too far aft ... (Sorry, just had to add my humour there as well)
48 Pilotaydin: maybe he wanted to know what it felt like to be a short captain during take off
49 CALPilot: Haveblue, I think I must have just pushed the enter button twice? Sorry
50 HAWK21M: Wont be surprised if he Visits Anet too. regds MEL
51 HighFlyer9790: I think the captain happened to see something so he wanted to get a better look. Or, he was just uncomfortable and wanted adjust the way he was sittin
52 Sean377: I'm not 100% certain he's reaching for the gear lever (although it would seem like a good time to be doing that). If you were reaching over to the rig
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