Category A380
10th Anniversary – QF32
My emotions are mixed today, being the tenth anniversary of Qantas flight QF32. With COVID-19 causing such widespread trauma, I have decided not to celebrate the event more than to acknowledge the team efforts to bring 469 passengers home safely to their loved ones. So I start this post, that I will expand over the […]
Australia Day 2016 – ICAO & RAeS – “Nancy-Bird Walton Lecture”
Update – 4 March 2019 I feel both surprised and proud. Today it was announced that the $5.3 billion Western Sydney Airport will officially become the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. The campaign to rename the airport started when I presented the inaugural Nancy-Bird Walton Lecture on behalf of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) at the International […]
Nancy-Bird Walton’s 100th Birthday Celebration
Update – December 2015 Many great airports are named after famous people. I propose that Sydney Badgerys Creek airport be named “Sydney Nancy-Bird Walton International Airport” in honour of Australia’s greatest aviatrix. Her airport would sit beside “Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport”, named after Australia’s greatest aviator. Click here to read more … Original Post […]
Technical Lessons from QF32
With my suggestions for the Industry Jaanus Torp writes: Hello Richard, I just finished your book and I might say that it is not suitable for before bed reading. Even though I had read the final report and knew the outcome, I was still quite wired by the masterfully written gripping drama. I have a […]
Technical – QF32’s Hydraulics, Apollo 13 and the “Fog of War”
Mike asks: Hi Richard, Having read your book QF32 and a number of resources available online, please let me ask one question regarding your video interview on youtube. During the interview, you talk about the decision whether to follow the ECAM instructions to switch off the ENG 4 hydraulic pumps (“5 and 6″), and how you […]
“Resilience at the edge of chaos” (My interview with Mark Bouris)
I enjoyed being interviewed by Mark Bouris this week about “Resilience at the edge of chaos”. We discussed issues ranging from the neuroscience of leadership to survive ‘Black Swan events’, to future technologies and how robots will impact business and employment. markbouris.com.au/episode-14-mark-bouris-podcast Mark’s Podcasts Mark’s fascinating podcasts are downloaded by about 275,000 listeners every […]
Airbus Pilots’ Eyes Only: Better Searching of Airbus FOCT Manuals (Ver 2, July17)
Nerd Alert! I compiled this blog in early 2008 for Airbus pilots and ground staff who need to access the Airbus FOCT manuals. It is written for those who wish to learn more about how to make full use of the impressive (but undocumented) search features in the Airbus FOCT. This blog has NO relevance […]
Why I am a Pilot
Why am I a pilot? It’s to give each passenger the safest and best experience possible on my aircraft – it’s to “Make Their Day” It’s not for the seven licence recertification tests that I must pass each year to continue in my profession. It’s not for the time and energy it takes to become […]
The Empirical Skeptic and Hacker
Version 10 – July 2016 Viewers of Air Crash Investigators program have asked me many questions including: Why didn’t we evacuate the A380 immediately after stopping on the runway in Singapore? What are my views about the Malaysian MH370 incident? My answers centre around how I gather, judge, store and use data. Empirical Skeptic I am […]
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