I’m typing today’s post at the Hong Kong Airport, awaiting my flight to Singapore. I had such an incredible trip over here I had to write about it first thing – even though I’m a bit jet lagged.
How to visit an Airplane Cockpit
In order to become an Airline Captain you need to sit in the Captain’s Chair. So the real question is, how can you sit in the Captain’s Chair?
“Would you like to visit the cockpit,” Captain Mike asked.
I nearly wet myself.
I had just boarded the plane and the Airline Captain was going down the aisles introducing himself. We had about 30 minutes until departure so he casually offered me the opportunity to go upfront. This is the dream for every wannabe pilot (that and sitting in a plane and hearing the announcement over the PA, “is anyone a pilot” and then becoming the hero and landing the plane because the pilot was ill a la the movie Airplane, but I digress).
When I was in high school I took flying lessons. I actually flew an aircraft, all by myself with no one else in the cockpit, before I got behind the steering wheel of a car. It was a nerdy thing to do I know. I never finished my license and it’s one of my biggest regrets; an adventure for another day. So an opportunity like this is a dream come true.
So, how do you get inside the cockpit of an airplane? Well, you need an invitation first. And then you need to accept it. I suppose you could always ask the airline captain if you could visit. But being invited sounds way more hip. Oh, and the airplane needs to be on the ground and at the gate. They don’t let you in the cockpit when the plane is flying.
What is the Cockpit of a Boeing 747 Like?
Just like you would imagine, there are lots of buttons. I promised the co-pilots (there are 3 others) that I wouldn’t touch any of them. The chair is comfy and the yoke quite small for controlling one of the world’s largest jets. The cockpit of a Boeing 747 is located on the upper deck, restricting visibility somewhat. You have to remember, most other aircraft only have one floor, so when the wheels touchdown you are quite close to the ground. But on the 747, you are much higher, so pilots needs to remember that, otherwise they may touchdown faster than they are prepared for.
I chatted with the two other members of the flight crew that were sitting there. We spoke about the Golden Age of Flying as being just a fleeting memory. Being a pilot isn’t like what it used to be, but the office space is one-of-a-kind.
What’s the most difficult thing about flying a Boeing 747? The both looked at each other and said nothing. These guys are professionals. They’ve been flying so long they don’t worry about that stuff. I asked how many hours the guys have logged and they don’t keep track anymore. Thousands of hours. I suppose you reach a threshold and its not worth counting.
Where do Pilots Sleep on Long Flights?
On these long-haul flights (Chicago to Hong Kong was 14 hours), the planes are equipped with a 4-person flight crew. Two are flying at any given moment and two are sleeping.
Where do pilots sleep on these long trips? There is a crew rest area just behind the Captains chair. They rotate in and out during the flight.
There was a list of questions I could have asked but I was star struck in a way. I could barely contain my excitement. I was like a kid in a candy store. Except the kid was 28 years old and the candy store was the control deck for the envy of all other airplanes in the world.
I’m hoping to have a chance to visit the cockpit again and finish my “Questions for a Pilot” list. But I’d like to know from you, comment with the questions you’d like to ask a pilot and if I get the chance, I’ll ask them for you!
Today’s Lesson
When someone offers you something you want. Don’t hesitate. Jump on the opportunity, it only knocks once.
I’ll see you out there…! And next time you’re flying, listen carefully to the announcements, Captain Ben could be at the controls.
Visit the adventures with ben online store for travel ebooks
Loading ...
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Pinterest
When I was a little kid I use to get asked into the cockpit all the time! I once even got to be in the cockpit for takeoff and my sister got to be in the cockpit for landing on that same flight and they let her do the landing gear! That was in the early 90′s though… but very awesome!
If I thought about it I would say I was invited in more times when we were in mid-flight than when we were on the ground at the gate.
I’ve always dreamed of taking flying lessons, I’m envious of you, it’s just so expensive!
Cailin recently posted something special..Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Travel Yourself!
Sigh. Times have changed. But what a cool experience Cailin. I recently looked up what it would cost to get a private pilot’s license – between 9-13k dollars! It was about 4-5k when I started. Most of the increase was due to fuel.
Ben, I love that smile! My mom was a Flight Attendant for many years for TWA & along with occasionally getting to actually help the FA’s serve, mom often knew the flight crew, so we’d be invited to the cockpit to meet them. I too enjoyed the excitement of sitting in the captain’s chair once, my brother the co-pilot, and on another occasion, my brother helped them co-pilot punch in the flight route – glad we made it where we were supposed to!
I’m not a flyer, but those memories are ones I treasure, and if I’m remembering right, our smiles were just as big as yours! It truly is a thrill.
Rori, Mom will appreciate that smile comment. I can’t even tell you how many times she reminded me to wear my headgear in high school. I guess all the pain of braces and retainers was worth it. Ya, those golden days of kids in the cockpit during flights are long over, but what a great memory. It’s funny how the little things stand out in our minds years later. That’s why we got to have as many adventures as possible!
Cool post. Once in a lifetime kinda opportunity.
A high school pilot….
Thanks Jeff. I thought it was cool at the time. I still is. I envisioned it being my conversation starter at cocktail parties when I got older. So far, I haven’t used it as an opener and tested it’s interest.
Hey Ben. I always wondered where the pilots rested on long OTW flights. Thanks for finding out for me. Do you have to sit in either business or first class to get the opportunity to visit the pilot’s cabin?
Cynthia, I believe different planes have different configurations for sleeping quarters. In the 777, I think there is a closet in the front of the plane, where in the 747 it’s in the cockpit. You don’t necessarily need to be sitting in first/ business class, but the offer was given only because we had lots of time to waste while economy was boarding. Typically business and first board first. So if you have the opportunity to board early, ask the Flight Crew and maybe you’ll get lucky. Plus, the crew didn’t have to wait for any paperwork. Sometimes the crew is busy with their computers and so they don’t want distractions while they’re doing their final checks. Let me know how it turns out.
Looks like SO much fun! Very jealous. You’d make an awesome Captain Ben! Have a great trip
Thanks. It was way cool to sit in the chair, surrounded by buttons, switches, dials, and everything else that makes that hunk of metal fly. Someday I’ll be Captain.
Now this is definitely a cool adventure.
I’d probably exercise no boundaries and ask pilots about scariest experiences in the air.
Enjoy Singapore!
Will do if I get the chance. Thanks Tandem World!