Boeing 747 Cockpit Video landing Hong Kong Kai Tak Rain IGS (1998)

Diverting because of medical or crew emergencies is a skill every pilot has as top of the mind awareness from the very first flight he/she takes some friends up for a flight with their brand new licence & wings, up to B744 level.

Everybody loves clips of "old" Kai Tak which is why I have chosen this clip but as a reminder of the skill level required if you have to divert your flight path.

In Aerowinx this week I started out flying YSSYKLAX01 but threw in an emergency diversion while east of the Australian mainland but where to go Fiji (NFFN) or the military strip of Tindal (YPTN). Nadi is closer but may have a Tropical Cyclone, while Tindal is CAVOK. Which to choose, I went with Tindal for comfort.

Feeling a surge of self-esteem we changed course I headed in that direction, until;Aerowdinx with its` crisp detail & excellent visuals collapsed the FMC  (Flight Management Computer). Well- I don`t have the required visual charts & I could continue to YPTN and do the figures but felt some internet charts & calculations were eating into the flight continuing safely & appropriate situational awareness.

So what did i learn?
1. Situational awareness is more than a concept if the FMC fails.

2. It might be better to take the more "difficult" approach if it`s closer

3. Allowing Aerowinx to throw situations at you is extremely realistic

So let me ask:
1. If you`ve flown the real B744 what diversion airports do you choose even in training? What criteria do you use?

2.What`s the most challenging approach you`ve had to do because of a diversion?

3. What are the real-life procedures when the FMC fails in the cockpit.

Have an enjoyable weekend, I have to vote in OZ so can expect a sausage sizzle & an amount of fund-raising close to my voting space.it happens all over our nation.

May all your flight diversions be safe ones,

Neil