Safety refreshers

It's hard to believe that my SEP course was already a year ago, but it was, and I earlier this week I got summoned back to the academy for a 3 day refresher... A really perfect way to end 10 days' leave at home.

The SEP refresher is slightly less drawn out than the initial course - lasting 3 days instead of 3 weeks - and comprises a written exam about the life saving gadgets which we have on board, a fire fighting drill, opening and shutting the door, jumping down the slide (which is great fun), swimming around in full uniform (which isn't fun at all), learning how to make proper announcements and talking about CRM (or how to avoid accidents).

First flight in 2 weeks tomorrow and I'm really looking forwards to flying again.

S.

Sinus infections

My only advice on the subject is to never, ever, ever get one. Ever. They are painful, unpleasant things which involve lots of anti-biotics, anti-congestants, hideous nose sprays and getting the inside of your face hoovered through a tube stuck down (or up?) your nose.

Needless to say I'm not working, just have enough energy to laze on the sofa and stare at the computer screen wishing the week would hurry up and end.

S.

Deaths, alarms and broken cameras

I had a very varied and interesting day today. I was called to fly to Sandakan then Shenzhen - a gruelling 11 hour duty day starting at 6 in the morning. This sector is notorious for ending late due to Hong Kong flow control.

The first event took place on initial approach to Sandakan. We were descending through a layer of light haze - about 5000ft above sea level - when there was an almighty BANG. Out of nowhere a rather large bird had smacked straight into the Captain's windshield... Well I think it was a large bird judging by the 50cm x 50cm red splat it left behind. The startling thing is we didn't see it come and had it ended up in an engine I think we would have spent the night in Sandakan. I now have a newfound respect for the strength of our windshields.

The second event took place en-route to Shenzhen, about half-way, was the master warning going off as the Captain and I were both busy daydreaming. I don't mind saying my heart and book both made a leap for the ceiling. The FIRE - SMOKE IN LAV warning had just gone off telling us that some faggot had decided to light up in one of the toilets. Fire is a very severe risk on an aeroplane and smoking in the toilet is extremely dangerous due to the amount of flammable paper in the immediate vicinity. Thankfully the cabin crew reacted quickly, admonished the culprit and ventilated the toilet.

The arrival into Shenzhen was spectacular - the sky over Hong Kong was clear and the visibility extremely good for once. There plenty of amazing photo opportunities as we overflew Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbour, the old Kai Tak airport (whose runway surprisingly hasn't been built on yet) and came very close to some heavy jets on approach to Hong Kong airport. On departure we overflew an equally clear Zuhai and Macau and got a stunning view of the runway in the middle of the bay.

Unfortunately I can't share anything I saw because today was the first day in 6 months that I didn't bring any camera with me Typical.

S.

June

June has been a very busy month. Lots of flying, and all my days off were filled with some activity or another... Not that I remember having many days off.

The intense thunderstorm season is slowly starting again the weather radar is getting more and more colourful. Although the whole year is thunderstorm season at the equator June-November seem to be the more active months.

I've had a few interesting moments this month - Kinabalu was landing runway 20 for a few days which involves an offset VOR approach over the city centre. It's quite fun to fly, especially with a bit of weather, and I shall post a video soon.

I also flew into Hong Kong for the first time, after months of flying over/around/beside it en-route to China or Macau. Hong Kong does beat Singapore on the airport coolness scale, the airport is busier, the spacing tighter, the weather is different (less thunderstorm, more wind) and one could be forgiven for thinking it's London from time to time with all the English accents on frequency. There are plenty of nice looking tails to enjoy too. Once out of the airport and in the city I think prefer Singapore though, Hong Kong is a little too wild for my taste ... and I don't understand any of the adds in the underground.

I have a few videos to upload, will attempt to do so soon.

S.