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Frequently Asked Questions - Email Collections 6

1.   What is ETOPS with regards to the Boeing 777 and Airbus 340 debates?
2.   Why the seat layout on Boeing 777 in economy class is 2 on the sides and 5 in the middle?
 3.   I want to be a pilot.  Please give me some tips for the interview!
4.   How airplane fuel is measured and effect of uneven passengers distribution in the cabin?
5.   Can you perform a smooth 50 degrees angle of bank turn at 37,000 feet?
 6.   How much thrust does each Boeing 777 engine has?
 7.   Why the Boeing 777 has no winglets compared with other wide-bodied airplanes?
8.   About turbofan engines and whether the Airbus A340 have outsold the Boeing 777?
9.   Whether drinking alcohol will increase hypoxia in me during flight?
10. How much does a Boeing 777 cost?
11. What about the safety of minor Airlines in Mexico and the reality of the Flight Simulator?
12. Whether flying long period over water requires airplane with two engines or more?
 13. I am concerned about flying on the DC 10.   Should I be worried at all?
 14. A question from a person who has never flown before.

1.  What is ETOPS with regards to the Boeing 777 and Airbus 340 debates?

ETOPS or Extended Twin Operations is an acronym created by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to describe the operation of twin-engine aircraft on a route that contains a point further than 60 minutes flying from an adequate airport at the approved one engine inoperative cruising speed. Some people like to refer to ETOPS humorously as ‘Engine Turns Or Passengers Swim!’

In the beginning of commercial aviation, fare-paying passengers were flown on single-engine airplanes.  Gradually two or more-engine airplanes were introduced as it provided higher safety in the event that an engine fails on them.

Since 1936, FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) had created requirements for all types of aircraft to be within 100 miles of an adequate airport when carrying passengers.  Why 100 miles?  Because that was the average speed of older airplanes then. The 60-minutes rule was established on all airplanes with one engine inoperative regardless as to the number of engines the airplane have.  The purpose was to reduce the risk of all engines failure for it ensured that, should one engine failed at any point along the route, a landing could be made before the remaining engine failed.  This was because of the concern on the reliability of piston-powered engine at that time.  When jet engines were introduced, it was shown that they were more reliable than piston engine airplanes and hence a new kind of operation was introduced.

Hence, in the early 1980’s, ICAO came up with a stipulation that, unless an aircraft can meet special ETOPS criteria, it recommended that all twin turbine powered aircraft be restricted to 60 minutes at single engine speed from an adequate airport.

The Boeing 777’s are some of those airplanes that meet the ETOPS performance requirements.  These are the airplanes that are specially modified to improve the reliability and redundancy of the performance of the engine, electrical, hydraulics and avionic systems. In 1998, the Boeing 777’s were certified to fly on ETOPS routes for up to 208 minutes.

Approval for ETOPS operation is given by the Civil Aviation Department of the country concerned.   The Aviation Department places strong emphasis on the flying operations and engineering practices of the particular Airline.  Should there be infringements of the strict ETOPS requirement, the Airline may lose its ETOPS approval to operate on a particular route.  For example, on a particular route, say from Tokyo to San Francisco, if X Airline suffered an engine failure during the cruising phase after an hour’s flight out of Tokyo, the ETOPS approval of 208 minutes for that Airline may be withdrawn for future operations.

This ETOPS policy is initially a slight disadvantage to the Boeing 777 relative to the Airbus 340 competition.  However, it was proposed that this rule be extended to long haul operations of two engine jets to three and four engine airplanes.  This policy shift by FAA, if adopted, would force the four-engine Airbus 340 and Boeing 747 to meet the same safety requirement of the twin engine Boeing 777.

The Airbus 340 versus Boeing 777 debates have quite often made Airbus to argue that its A340 is more reliable, affordable and safer than the Boeing 777.  The ETOPS policy has tacitly supported Airbus’s position even though studies indicated that the Boeing 777 had suffered less engine failures and diversions than the Airbus 340.

However, Airbus may need to change its marketing pitches if the FAA adopts the recommendations of the extended range twin-operations working group soon.  ETOPS rules mandate strict maintenance requirement, extra reserve fuel and additional cargo-fire-suppression equipment. FAA have noted that three and four-engine jets traveling long distances have been exempt from such additional safety rules since the air carrier jet era began. It was concluded by the working group that it is in the flying public's best interest to extend these rules to all long-range commercial aircraft as well.

Latest: On March 17, 2003, a United Airlines' Boeing 777 carrying 255 passengers flew over the mid-Pacific Ocean against strong headwinds for 192 minutes under one engine power and landed without incident at Kona on the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Boeing confirmed that it was the longest one engine diversion during ETOPS segment since the advent of transoceanic twin-engine flights 20 years ago by a TWA B767-200. The crew shut down the No.2 engine after the EICAS displayed a high oil temperature and low oil quantity.

The B777 departed Auckland bound for Los Angeles. The planned 180 minutes from the ETOPS alternates was exceeded as they encountered stronger headwinds during the diversion .

2. Why the seat layout on the Boeing 777 in economy class is 2 on the sides and 5 in the middle?

Hello,

I frequently fly on United Airlines Boeing 777's and I have often wondered why the seat layout
in economy class is 2 on the sides and 5 in the middle.  Wouldn't it make more sense, and be more comfortable for the passengers in the middle rows, to have 3 sets of 3?

Great job on the web site.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Thank you for dropping in.  I am not so clear as to the rationale why the Airlines did not favor the three sets of 3 seats in the economy class.  I suppose the reasons may be safety, convenience or uniformity.  Remember the emergency exits are on either sides.  With 2 seats, the obstruction problem may be considerably reduced.  Convenience of service from either side may be another.  Anyway, these are my opinion.   Check it out with the United Airlines or Boeing, they may be able to give you a better answer.  Maybe your suggestion may earn you something the next time you travel with them!!

Cheers!

Capt Kay

3.  I want to be a pilot.  Please give me some tips for the interview!

Hello Captain,

I am a student of 18 years old. Currently, I am studying in a University and since the day I remember being on Earth, I wanted to be a pilot! However, the Airlines process to select Cadet Pilots is very tough. A good basic academic qualification is required but a Degree would be better of course. I have passed the psychomotor and IQ test. Next is the tough interview. I really really hope you can give me some tips to pass the interview with flying colors!! 

Thank you.

Fariz.

Hi Fariz,

The fact that you have passed your psychomotor and IQ test shows that your chances of being a pilot is very good.  The next hurdle is the Interview.

The Interview is usually conducted by 3 persons and it would include at least a representative from the Human Resources Department and a Pilot, usually a senior Captain  from the Airline.  The most important thing is to act and speak confidently.   A very good command of English will be very advantageous. They are looking for good communication and leadership skills. You must exhibit that you are also a team player. Technical and current affairs knowledge are just as essential. Learn a lot about the Company, example the fleet size and aircraft types, etc.

The interview kicks off with questions about yourself and your family. Prepare a short introduction of yourself for this will be the most likely question that you would be asked first.  Things like, your qualifications, what sports do you play, are you active socially, why you want to be a pilot and did your friends or parent influenced you to this career, etc, are the usual questions.

The human resources personal will conduct the first part of the question followed by the Captain. Sometimes the Captain will ask questions to deliberately provoke you.   Stay cool as he wants to gauge your ability to take pressure!

You can get more tips through my links in PPRUNE, especially under the topic wannabes. Go to:

 http://www.pprune.org/go.php?go=/pub/wanna/wannaindex.html

Good Luck to you in your interview!

Regards,

Capt Kay.

Dear Captain Kay,

Once I wrote to you asking for Cadet Pilot interview tips. Well, for your information, I have passed the interview, thanks to you and your Site. Your tips helped me a lot, but I think I made it mostly because of the information I got from your Site. Now I am waiting for my medical examination result and in a month or two, I will be registering at a flying school. 

Thank you Captain. Well, I don't really know how to thank you because I think it should be more than a  "thank you". You know how obsessed I am in aviation, yes, I do think you understand pilot 'wannabes'. Now my dream will come true! The interviewer asked me a lot of questions about airplane and I gave them answers that I learned from your website. They even remarked that I know much about Boeing 777! 

So thanks a million thanks (again!) Captain Lim. Hopefully I will graduate in a year and one day fly a Boeing 777 as a Captain!!

Sincerely,
Fariz

4. How airplane fuel is measured and what is the effect of uneven passengers distribution in the cabin?

Dear Capt Kay,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have two questions for you.

1. For safety and fuel consumption purposes, how precise does a pilot needs to know the weight of the aircraft fuel before each flight? Is it in the hundreds, thousands, or ten thousand pounds?

2. If passengers sitting positions are not evenly distributed in the cabin, will that cause major problems to an aircraft in flight?

Regards,

Michael

Hi Michael,
 
1.   A pilot needs to know very precisely the aircraft load, either in pounds or in kilogram, depending on which country the Airline is operating from.   As a general rule and for ease of reference, the fuel figures are often rounded upward to the nearest 10 kilograms for safety.  
 
2.   Passengers seating are adjusted within the loading envelope before take off's are permitted.   You may not know it, but load distributions are always adjusted in the airplane by the traffic personnel and then certified by the Captain before the airplane leaves the Gate.  Slight uneven distribution of passengers in the cabin is not a major problem in flight unless the distribution differences become too great.   For example, if you have 100 passengers at the tail cabin and nil at the front in a 200 to 250-seater airplane, you will have a very tail heavy airplane, causing great instability and very likely, disastrous consequences during take off or landing.
 
Regards,
 
Capt Kay

5.   Can you perform a smooth 50 degrees angle of bank turn at 37,000 feet?

Hello,

I have a question for you.  When you fly, say from JFK Airport (New York) to Albany and then to XXX, how do you make the aircraft turn smoothly so that the passengers do not feel the turning, say a 50 degrees angle of bank whilst cruising at 37,000 feet?

Thanks for your time.

Bye,

Marian Musil

P.S. Your site is awesome!

Hi Marian,
 
Do you know that most of the time an airplane is flown by the auto pilot while airborne?   This means that the auto pilot computer will program the turns such that it will bank smoothly at high level.  On a Boeing 777, it will not allow the airplane to turn more than 35 degrees without a warning unless the pilot deliberately disconnects the autopilot and do it manually.  Thus, it is not possible to do a manual turn at 50 degrees angle of bank comfortably and the passengers would usually feel a side force pushing them against their seats.
 
Regards,
 
How much thrust does each Boeing 777 engine has?
 
Thanks,

Wayne.

Hi Wayne,
 
The Boeing 777 has many different models and each one is fitted with engines of various thrust ratings. As for the Boeing 777-200 IGW (increased gross weight) which I am currently flying, it is fitted with the Rolls Royce Model Trent 892 engines  at 90,300 lbs thrust each.   You can check it out on the Boeing 777 Technical Specifications in the Boeing Commercial Site and you will notice the different engine thrust rating on each model of the Boeing 777.
 
Regards,
 
Capt Kay
 
 7.  Why the Boeing 777 has no winglets compared with other wide-bodied airplanes?

Hi,

Do you know why the Boeing 777 has no winglets while all other major wide-bodied airplanes at the moment have?

Cheers,

Philip

Hi Phillip,
 

The Boeing 777 was the first airplane to be completely designed by computers. The design of the wings was special in that it could do away with winglets and still perform just as well.   Let me elaborate a little on the history of winglets.

Basically, winglets reduce wingtip vortices, the swirling airflows formed by the difference between the pressure on the upper surface of an airplane's wing and that on the lower surface. High pressure on the lower surface creates a natural airflow that makes its way to the wingtip and curls upward around it. When flow around the wingtips streams out behind the airplane, a vortex is formed. These twisters represent an energy loss and are strong enough to flip airplanes that fly into them.

Winglets produce a good performance boost for jets by reducing drag, and that reduction could translate into slightly higher cruising speed.  The Boeing 747-400s have winglets. The Boeing Business Jet, a derivative of the Boeing 737, has a set of the firm's eight-foot winglets as well.

After the energy crisis in 1976, Richard Whitcomb, a NASA aerodynamicist, in a research, compared a wing with a winglet and the same wing with a simple extension to increase its span. As a basis for comparing both devices, the extension and the winglet were sized so that both put an equal structural load on the wing. Whitcomb showed that winglets reduced drag by about 20 percent.

A wing with high aspect ratio will provide longer range at a given cruise speed than a short, stubby wing because the longer wing is less affected by the energy lost to the wingtip vortex. But long wings are prone to flex and have to be strengthened, which adds weight. Winglets provide the effect of increased aspect ratio without extending the wingspan.

If winglets are so great, why don't all airplanes have them? In the case of the Boeing 777, an airplane with exceptionally long range, the wings grew so long that folding wingtips were offered to get into tight airport gates. Dave Akiyama, manager of aerodynamics engineering in Boeing product development, points out that designing winglets can be tricky because they have a tendency to flutter. And so the computer came up with a Boeing 777 wing design that did away the winglets and fly just as efficiently.

 
Regards,
 
Capt Kay

8. About turbofan engines and whether the Airbus A340 have outsold the Boeing 777?

Sir,

Thank you for your most interesting WebPages in  http://www.geocities.com/khlim777_my.
As a non expert in the field but with some basic background knowledge, I would be interested in learning about your opinion in the three-shaft versus two-shaft turbofan question. Both, Rolls Royce and GE/PW, of course, do have their arguments for or against the respective competitors' design. However, starting from the RB211, it appears to me that the 3-shaft TRENT / RB211 family at RR "standardizedly" covers a considerably larger thrust range
than GEs or PWs engines.

Another question: According to an RR commentator - and as far as I can learn from the respective companies' WebPages, the Airbus 340-500 and 340-600 have so far outsold the 777-200LR and 777-300ER, in spite of the fact that the 777 appears to be quite efficient (however, the Airbus planes offer more cargo space than the 777 do and the 777-200LR only reaches its maximum range with optional fuel tanks, consuming space that otherwise could be
used for cargo containers). How can one explain this?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

Best wishes,

Johannes Helm
Oslo
Norway

PS: I am not an industrial or business person and do not have any affiliations whatsoever with any aircraft or related company.

Hi Johannes,

I am not an expert bout aircraft engines. However, your question triggered me to do a search on the subject but I am still unable to give you an opinion as to the arguments for the three-shaft versus two-shaft turbo fan question.  Perhaps one day when I talk to an Engineer who is familiar with this topic, then maybe I can give you a better answer.
At the moment, I am flying the Boeing 777 which is fitted with the Rolls Royce Trent 892
three-shaft turbo fan engines and I am quite happy with them.

The reason why the Airbus 340-500 and 340-600 have outsold the Boeing
777-200LR and Boeing 777-300LR is probably because the Airbuses have 4
engines but overall, Boeing  777's (all models)  have already made a sale lead over the A340, particularly in the hotly contested Asian market. Boeing has sold 615 Boeing 777s since it launched the program in 1990, while Airbus has sold 323 A340s since 1987.

So your figures about the Airbuses outselling the Boeing 777's only refers to the Long Range version of the Boeing 777's.

Regards,

Capt Kay

9. Whether drinking alcohol will increase hypoxia in me during flight?

Hi,

Firstly, I’d like to thank you for your comprehensive website.  I believe air travel is a major concern for many people, even though the odds are far smaller than anything we do on the ground, but for the fact that you can’t just pull over to the side of the road if there are any problems!

Anyway, I am from Australia and I work in a cover band in Melbourne.  We have recently secured a contract in India in early March, and I have never traveled Overseas before.  My question is related to Hypoxia:

I have quizzed several people about drinking alcohol on the plane, since this is said to increase the chances of Hypoxia occurring.  They have all told me that they drank on the plane and experienced no side effects, other than the normal (intoxication).  

I am a 22 year old male.  I have a strong immune system to the point where I don’t really ever feel the effects of alcohol anyway.  I’m fairly fit, I smoke cigarettes, and I was wondering if this Hypoxia thing is common, and if so what age groups are affected?  Do we all get this to an extent?  Should I avoid alcohol on the flight?  From reading your experiment on Hypoxia, it doesn’t sound like people drinking would even know whether they were suffering from any of the effects.

Thank you in advance.

Adam

Dear Adam,
 
Hypoxia has nothing to do with smoking or drinking in normal situation unless you are deprived of oxygen as a result of a rapid depressurization in the aircraft cabin.   In that case, you would probably lose consciousness  slightly earlier than those non smokers or non drinkers.  When you are traveling as a passenger on a normal flight, you are unlikely to experience any side effects other than the usual ones associated with drinking.
 
Regards,
 
Capt Kay

10.  How much does a Boeing 777 cost?

Hello,

There is a friendly bet going on in the office. What is the approximate cost of a Boeing 777? Consider a standard production model please.

Thanks for your input,

Chuck Hines

Hi Chuck
 
The cost of the Boeing 777 of the various models in US dollars (millions) for the year 2002 are as follows:-
 
 
    Boeing 777-200
US$153.5 - 171.0
    Boeing 777-200ER
US$162.0 - 182.0
    Boeing 777-200LR
US$188.0 - 213.5
    Boeing 777-300
US$178.5 - 203.5
    Boeing 777-300ER
US$203.5 - 231.5
 

Regards,

Capt Kay

11. What about the safety of minor Airlines in Mexico and the reality of the Flight Simulator?

Hi, 

Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SITE, it is very interesting.

 
I am from Mexico City, and I have some questions for you.  I hope you can understand my English.
 
1.  What do you think about the minor Airlines in Mexico, such as Aviacsa, Aero-California, Allegro and Magnicharters?  These are Airlines that operate old aircraft such as Boeing 737- 200's and/or DC 9's.  And they always ride tough.  I feel that they are not well prepared, or their staff earn low salary and the airplanes are always in poor condition.
 
2.  How real can the Microsoft Flight Simulator be?  I really enjoy that, and when I get into a cockpit I think that I am able to fly the plane. Seriously, especially the MD-80 series aircraft, the controls are the same.  Obviously, there are a lot of factors that I don't know, but I really feel that I can fly the plane.
 
What do you think? 
  
Regards,

Publiupolis.

Hi Publipolis,
 
I do not wish to comment on the safety of some of these Airlines in Mexico other than providing the statistics of a few.   Statistics do tell a story about the health and safety of an Airline.
 
The Microsoft Flight Simulator is good as a procedural trainer but it is not as real as the true airplane.   I have answered a similar question in one of my FAQs in this site.  Please check it out.
 
Regards,
 
Capt Kay

12.  Whether flying long period over water requires airplane with two engines or more?

Hello,

Why doesn't the NTSB require any flights over water for an extended period of time, say 5 hours or more, to use planes with at least three (3) engines ?

James BW

Hi James,

When you mentioned about flying for 5 hours or more over water - in reality, an airplane seldom fly for that long over the sea without at least an airport in an island less than three hours away.  The Boeing 777, with two powerful engines has been certified by FAA to fly over water for at least three hours on a single engine (see the topic on ETOPS above). 

As I have discussed above on ETOPS, when the working group's proposal to have airplanes with three or more engines to apply the same safety requirements as the Boeing 777 are implemented, then there is not much difference in terms of operating long flights over water between airplanes with 2 engines and those with 3 engines or more.

At the moment, because of ETOPS requirements, any flights over about three hours and above over water, would require an airplane with three engines or more.
 |
Regards,

Capt Kay

13. I am concerned about flying on the DC 10.   Should I be worried at all?

Dear Capt Kay,

Next week I am going to travel on a DC10. I have just come across a web page that tells the misfortunes of this airplane and of its mate, the MD11. (http://www.airlinesafety.com/faq/faq9.htm).

According to this source, the MD11 and DC10 are not as safe as other airplanes. In particular, because of design problems, handling  appears difficult at high altitude situations. Besides, I know these airplanes are not very new (70's -80's). Should I be worried about my trip ?

Best regards,

Pietro Monari

Hi Pietro,

You should not be worried because flying is one of the safest form of travel, safer than traveling by car!  In life, you encounter risks in everything that you do.  I am not worried about flying.   Just remember, flying is at least 20 times safer than driving.   If people are afraid about car accidents, then many would not travel on the road at all!  But a lot still do!

Enjoy yourself and have a good holiday on the DC 10 or MD 11!

Regards,

Capt Kay

Hello,

My name is Jason. I will be flying for the first time in my life in approximately two weeks' time. I will be flying from Tallahassee, Florida to Northern Virginia and then from Northern Virginia back home to Miami. I have never flown before in my life nor have I ever been to an airport, so I have one big question,

What do I do when I arrive at the airport with my luggage? Where do I go and what do I do? What are the steps I do and the formalities that take place?

If this helps you, I have a printed itinerary from a travel agency, not conventional airline tickets. I am traveling solo with two suitcases which will be checked, and a bag which I plan to carry on with me. 

From my printed itinerary, I am flying on U.S. Airways from Tallahassee Reg. Airport (TLH) with a connection at Charlotte/Douglas Int'l (CLT), then arriving at Washington-Dulles Int'l (IAD). Return trip, I am departing from Dulles, connecting in Charlotte once again, and arriving at Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale Int'l (FLL). My trip to Dulles includes a ride on a Dehaviland Dash 8 Turboprop and a Boeing 737-300. My trip home to Fort Lauderdale includes a trip on two Boeing 757s.

Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Jason

Hi Jason,
 
That is a lot to write at moment but when I have the time, I may consider adding a topic regarding flying tips to the first time air traveler in this Site.  In the meantime, I recommend that you visit these two Sites below. You can get all the general information you need but you have to go to the Information counter of each Airport for more specific details regarding the local procedures.  So you got to consider the extra time you need at the Terminal in addition to your checking in time.
 
 
b.   http://www.palmspringsairport.com/flying_tips.html

Have a pleasant and safe flight!

 
Regards,
 
Capt Kay

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