100 Reasons for a Happy Christmas.
I guess you could almost describe it as being a bit like a job really.. set the alarm clock, join the traffic, go to work, do your daily bits and pieces, and then when all is finished you drive home again. If one would refer to it as a job however, it really is without question the best job in the world..
Since the last update I learnt that my line training base was to be the Charleroi, in the French Speaking area of Belgium about 60miles South of Brussels. Whilst it wasn’t one of my immediate 3 choices, there was lots of good feedback floating around about the base itself in particular the friendliness of all the crew and pilots. However, on the downside it is rather a mission to get to from London with no direct flights and thus the most practical option for me was the train, thus I was treated to the pleasure of the Eurostar under the channel- on one of those most famous and glamorous train voyages from London to Brussels. On arrival I was then treated with more joy in trying to understand and make sense of the Belgian rail network, but thankfully the beauty of having one of these iphone contraptions signifies that to be honest.. you just tell it where you want to go.. and it takes you there- giving train times, platforms.. making things rather easier!
The following morning, I guess was similar to the first day of any job when you wake up.. rather terrifying but at the same time, just the most amazing drill of excitement. It was pretty daunting walking into the crew room for the first time, especially amidst the buzz of the 5am morning ‘rush hour’ but I must say that everyone was so friendly and welcoming into the base which did make it much easier. Having done as much of the paperwork as possible, the captain arrived- carried out a brief and then the next minute we were setting up the aircraft while in the corner of my eye.. I could see my first passengers boarding the aircraft. For my first day, the captain was fantastic, a really nice chap and extremely relaxed on the flight deck making the whole experience much easier & have no doubt that will be flying with him again later on in Line Training. With the checks complete, pushed back, taxied out to the hold to see the centre line racing away to the horizon and then ‘you have control’. Throttles to 40%, then to/ga and we were off- the first commercial flight was underway! With passengers on board the added weight is certainly noticeable when you rotate, but it really is just the most fantastic feeling as you climb away watching the altimeter soar upwards and the houses disappear below. Being my first flight, the Norwegians were clearly having a good day and decided to kindly change the approach from an ILS to an NDB.. which was just marvellous news signifying that my first approach was to be a non precision.. I guess welcome to the job really- but a fantastic experience. Its amazing how much easier an NDB is when you have Lnav and Vnav as opposed to flying the seneca!
I think the biggest thing which I’ve taken from my first week here now is simply that I have loved every single minute of it so far. Yes the hours can be anti-social, and it is extremely hard work.. but the view from that window is just priceless.. As well as Olso, I returned to Larnaca for the first time since the Legendary CCF camp to Akrotiri in 2008.. A long flight but with breathtaking scenery out of the window, crossing the Italian Alps, Macedonian Coastline, passing directly over Athens and then towards Turkey over the Greek Islands before getting descent into Larnaca. It was nice also to be radar vectored in from the South of the Island, allowing the most beautiful view of Akrotiri and all the surrounding area which triggered a lot of the memories from those fantastic 10 days. On top of Larnaca, I was back in Provence and Marsailles at the end of the week.. Marsailles a being really nice, short trip- yet I had been warned by Mr Wood for a rather complicated approach and again I wasn’t disappointed.. Perhaps the most challenging thing being the 4 Degree glide onto R31 and the runway looks very different when coming down a 4 instead of the standard 3.
There is no doubt it has been the most fantastic week gone by, and I only hope that it continues that way really. Leading up to christmas I can expect Riga, Krakow, Las Palmas and Tangier.. All of which am really looking forward to which should make for some fantastic flying.
For now though however, two days off has brought with it some welcome time to relax.. Yesterday I trekked across to Brussels and had a look around the fantastic little christmas market over there, as well as to check out the various sights… All the little ways to get into the xmas spirit but it was such a delight to see all the little stalls and chocolate shops. A quick mention however also to say a massive congrats to all of my 100′s in FTE now who have just graduated it goes quickly eh? I was absolutely gutted to have missed the ceremony but was delighted that Captain Tonna could be there to record and share the gossip back in the UK!
So from a Cold, Snowy Belgium I’ll leave it there.. and wish everybody a fantasticly Merry Christmas. For as long as I can remember, the ambition of flying a jet on commercial operations has driven the persuit of that very cause. This week has brought with it that very result, and it has been without question the best Christmas Present that perhaps I will ever have. I will come back with another update before the New Year…
All the Very Best
A
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