The PilotsEYE.tv 10th Anniversary Episode – No. 18 "Licence to Fly – Flight School with a Seaside View" joins SWISS fleet chief for a visit to their Florida pilot-training-facilities.
In celebration of its ten-year anniversary, PilotsEYE.tv dedicates this newest and longest entry of the series (2: 30h running time + 60min bonus) to the education and training of those that have made the documentary series into such a success: the pilots.
Fans of the series may already be familiar with flight captain and SWISS fleet chief Thomas Frick from the episode "Shanghai – Engine Overheat", in which PilotsEYE.tv was able to document a real emergency for the very first time. In their latest episode, PilotsEYE.tv accompanies their old acquaintance on a four-day-trip to the United States.
Following an eventful flight across the Atlantic, Cpt. "Thomi" and his charming copilot Jennifer Knecht, are picked up by the chief instructors of SWISS air academy and treated to a "Beach run", a low-altitude flight along the Miami beach on their way to Vero-Beach.
Before joining them on their visit with the next generation of SWISS pilots, however, the audience is in for a special treat, with the unique chance to witness the entire pushback process from the perspective of the front landing gear, followed by super-slow-motion shots of the take-off and landing in Zurich, Switzerland.
Small opening – big impact: will it stop the flight?
Who would have thought, that the exhaled air of the passengers could be put to a constructive use before being jettisoned from the plane? Prior to escaping through a special flap, the accumulated airflow – as an additional cooling agent – is led over the numerous instruments in the dashboard of the cockpit. But an error message indicates the flap could not be closed. Can the plane even take off like this.
ETOPS planning – emergency procedures above the Atlantic
When flying over land, alternate airports in the case of emergencies are always within acceptable reach, but crossing the Atlantic entails several hours of flying "feet wet", nothing but water all around. Emergencies, however, do not care about such niceties, and copilot Jenny explains the importance of ETOPS planning for just these kinds of situations. The Extended Range Twin Operations allow two-jet aircraft to distance themselves several hours of flight time from the nearest airport without increased risk.
Emergency over Bermuda – Delta 676 in jeopardy
"PAN – PAN – PAN!" The emergency call of a nearby Delta Airline flight bursts right into the middle of a relaxed dinner over Bermuda, and instantly the mood in the cockpit changes – the Delta colleagues were at the same flight level flying and in close proximity. While trying to contact the DL676, Captain Frick also informs ground control of the possible emergency. A look at the primary flight display shows just how close the ailing aircraft is.
Miles High Choir – "Happy Birthday" in the cockpit
"When the cockpit suddenly ring out with the singing of a flight captain and a flight attendant, the reason can really only be a birthday." Copilot Jenny celebrates her 26th birthday on the outward flight and is presented with a birthday cake – its candle flame in the form of a mint leaf – and a truly "heavenly" duet.
Sky, ski or boat – Jet pilots out of their usual element
On the morning of the return day, the crew still has a few hours left to take advantage of the legendary, turquoise sea along Miami Beach. Thomi and Jenny use the opportunity to jet along the waves – in the truest sense of the word, as they each take command of both a jet ski and jet boat. Full throttle ahead!
Two years of training for two very special wings
The visit to Miami’s most famous flight school holds special significance for Captain Frick. "It feels a bit like coming home," comments Thomi. "Everywhere I look, something reminds me of my own training 30 years ago." The students understandably take advantage of their boss’s visit and pepper him with questions, specifically concerning their first deployment pattern and when they will switch over to long-haul flights. "Just be patient about the long haul – the more short distance flights you do, the more take-offs and landings you can log in a short time," is just one of the many tips the top SWISS pilot has to offer for his future colleagues.
Small plane – long checklist
"Who’s still going to the cockpit, today?" – Immediately, all hands are raised, the eyes of the students lighting up. Every one of the fledgling aviators still has to perform their "daily rounds", take-offs and landings. But there is only time for one of them to have the Boss himself as a mentor in the backseat, and it’s the prospective traffic pilot Raphaele who gets to benefit for a full hour from the extensive experience of SWISS’s No.1 pilot. The complete 60 min test flight in a Piper Seminol, with all checklists and commands, is also available as bonus material.
The Flight Path to Miami
Outbound: Zurich (CH), Geneva, Lyon (FR), Rochefort, Atlantic Ocean, Freeport – Bermuda, Miami (USA) 8088km (4367NM)
Return: Atlantic Ocean, Helston (UK), Guernsey, Jersey, Paris, Basel, Zurich, 7904km (4268NM)
Adrenaline Rush – Traffic Alert
In human affairs, "coming closer" is usually accompanied by positive emotions. In aviation, it is the exact opposite. Such an "unwelcome" aerial approach is always followed by the "Traffic Traffic" warning blasting from the cockpit speakers, denoting an aircraft on a collision course. Those two words, in turn, are inevitably followed by an immediate burst of adrenaline and an increased heart rate. The audience has a chance to observe first-hand, how quickly the aviators regain their composure once the initial moment of shock has passed, and work through all the regularly practiced procedures to take any necessary countermeasures.
A perfect pairing – in the cockpit and on the commentator’s seat
Once again, both pilots were able to preview the finished movie, and their personal comments and background information on the depicted events never fail to deliver another special treat for all fans of the series. The entertaining but equally informative character of the commentary, and the obvious joy, the pilots take in describing their own work, are enticing reasons to watch the film for a second time with audio track 2 enabled.
The PEFB – Full PDF disclosure for aviation enthusiasts
For everyone interested in „reading along" with the film, PilotsEYE.tv offers all relevant documentation, including handwritten documents, as a free download. From the flight path to weather charts to all the vital radio calls: the „PilotsEYE Flight Briefing" is available as a PDF @ http://PilotsEYE.tv/downloads
The Wallpapers - screen art for free
The most beautiful pictures from the film, specially enhanced for the computer screen, are available to download for free at: http://PilotsEYE.tv/downloads
Picture Selection:
TAILORED - HEIDILAND - PRESSGREEN - SHEEPCLOUDS - SQUEAKED - HOTCHOCOLATE - CANDYFLOSS - YOURPLACEORMINE - FTLAUDERDALE - BERMUDAH - WEIGHTING - GRASSHOPPER - SWISSMILE
On our own account - PilotsEYE.tv celebrates its 10th birthday
"When on September 25th, 2006, the first flight with our cameras in the cockpit took off from Munich to San Francisco with Cpt. Jürgen Raps on the helm, and marked the beginning of our pilot episode, we were all of us quite nervous and uncertain. But it worked out fine, and on the very first attempt," recalls series producer Thomas Aigner the first, cautious steps over ten years ago.
"In fact, we were doubly blessed, as the quick sale of our debut over the internet allowed us to instantly engage with cockpit fans and flight enthusiasts all over the world. And today, we proudly celebrate our 18th film, counting over 15 million views on our PilotsEYE.tv YouTube channel.
"The results of our first major online survey proved equally positive. When asked, what attributes most accurately describes our productions, a majority of the 1000 participants said: PilotsEYE is authentic (1), informative (2), likeable (3).
"And the Spiegel.tv broadcast numbers on the weekend of Dec. 3, 2016, with over 170,000 views, proved to us that even one of our older productions (A380 "The last flights of JR") can draw a record audience. Apparently, PilotsEYE productions offer quite timeless stories of modern aviation.
"I would like to share the joy of this 10th anniversary with all the pilots, airlines and their employees, and thank them for their commitment and support. Just like I want to thank all our fans, who faithfully provide us with passionate feedback and encourage us to get even better with every single film. And last but not least, I am grateful for all the public praise, that continues to help us grow our circle of fans with each passing day.
"You give us our wings."
