Hakan

I asked your question to my one the best friends who is working as licenced dispatcher in a Turkish airline company (sky airlines). Here you are your answer from a proffessional; "Simply everything about flight operations" A dispatcher is responsible for "safe" conduction of a flight , this covers finding the best route accoring to weather conditions , fuel economy , time issues and company procedures . To do his/her job he has to read all related notams (both airports and FIR notams) , check the weather and forecasts for destination - possible alternate(s) - enroute airports , check upper air weather status for turbulance and wind issues (also for volcanic ash / radioactive clouds etc. if nessecary) . When he decides his routing and alternate for a flight , he then checks the aircraft performance and fuel economy issues to be sure about his decisions , and meanwhile he always considers the company schedule , crew duty times and passenger comfort along the flight . In any case where his decisions are wrong or not perfect he starts over to find the best suitable solution . He does not fix an aircraft like a technician but he considers the acceptable faults , the possibilites of flight with a faulty part ... He does not fly the aircraft but he has to put himself to the pilot seat while planning and preparing a flight ... He does not directly deal with the passengers like an operation supervisor but he has to think the loading-unloading phases of the flight and consider all possibilites in real time . Simply he is the invisible man of a flight , you can not see him easily but be sure , he is always there A Dispatcher must know nearly the same subjects like an commercial airliner pilot , the main difference is pilots take seperate exams for each subject (like Aircraft Performance , Rules Of The Air , Meteorology etc.) dispatcher take all the subjects mixed up in an exam Of course the level of the questions differ from each other but we use the same books for studying ... Rules Of The Air , Principles Of Flight , Aircraft General Knowledge , Aircraft Specific Knowledge , Meteorology , Radio Telephony are the main subjects come to mind at first thought . A dispatcher shares %50 responsibility of every flight he dispatches ... After the planning phase he is the last man to decide to do that flight , if he is sure that that flight can be done in a safe manner he signs the computer generated flight plan (and/or the Dispatch Release Form) then he waits the crew to come to the briefing room . After that moment he briefs the captain about that flight and decisions he made . If the captain is sure also he then signs the flight plan (or the form) so the flight can start ... If one of the parties are not sure about the safetly of that flight the form/flight plan must not be signed , everything must be considered and maybe planned again for safety . Most of the time if a captain sees the sign of a dispatcher in his flight plan he does not think every aspect of that flight 'cause he knows that the invisible man worked for him , and if the dispatcher is good/reliable/thrustable he only checks the documents to be sure about everything in a short time and signs his part with a clean mind . A pilot thinks about "only" his flight (maybe the next one after him a little bit) but a dispatcher deals with several flights at his shift , and as expected our job does not ends with the briefing ... If continues with the "Flight Watch" section after planning , we take all nessecary actions to avoid possible delays and/or problems while the aircraft is flying . A simple list from a training school's advertisement ; Flight and Aircraft Dispatchers: Day-to-Day Duties -Performing the pre-flight duties as the cabin crew prepare for the flight -Providing the pilot with the advised route for an individual flight -Assessing weather reports and informing the pilot of any hazards -Making checks on aircraft maintenance issues -Reviewing aircraft weight, fuel loads and cargo loads. -flight planning/fuel planning -General duties to ensure the aircraft is safe and ready to fly -Reporting to air traffic control and airport staff about departure times, and after departure, providing reports on aircraft status and predicted arrival times. -Finally, it's worth considering whether this job is the right career choice for you it involves a lot of pressure, as you are essentially the lead communicator regarding a flight's activities. Therefore, you'll need to have excellent communication skills, a high attention to detail, strong judgement and a willingness to work flexible hours to get the most out of this rewarding career. As the last item describes this job involves a lot of stress , if you love (really love) aviation and this kind of pressure/responsibilities in your life it will the best job for you If not be sure this will be the worst nightmare you'll have ever had . For more "official" details FAA's regulations (and or JAA , EASA) can be read but they are for aviation professionals so the terms used there will be a little bit confusing ... Best wishes Fatih KOZ Airline Flight Dispatcher TR-D-0563 ---------------------

anyone count the events of Qantas in last two years? I think it should be 8 and the most of them really serious problems. Qantas is very lucky about never loss the plane until today but they are pushing much more their luckies!

you may not to be "fighther pilot" with glasses becouse of glasses is a problem for helmets and helmet's visors.As far as I know , air forces accepts the eyes(vision) problem with minimum level, example +1 myopic. (I missed with +1.25L/+1.75R in my eyes when I was young men years ago in Turkey) Airforce is not mean only flighter planes, Im sure they need the pilots for any other services example transport. But don't worry about that, nowadays micro surgery is amazing especially for eyes problems. You may get some information abut LASIK or similiar or advanced technics in Malaysia. They are not much expensive like 10 years ago. If you want to be part of air force , it would be worth. This surgeries takes just a few minutes and problems are going decrease until air forces medical minimum requirements. Good luck and I hope we can see your message about you became an airforce cadets.

I was in IFTC simulator center for recording an aviation TV program. 3rd time I had chance to use B737NG commercial simulation. After first 30 minutes for program recording (with another friend splitted two program), we were released to use as we wish!after a couple different malfunctions (landing gear,single engines,altimeter difference,heavy turbulance aproach etc), we tried "ditching" into Hudson river. It was not like bird striking after departure phase, we choosed bird flock to both engines on approach phase, we were lucky! we have landed on the water safely, no crash!it was very scary! no hydrolics,no electricity in first moments! it is extraordinary stressed situation while working to get under control of the plane and besides working to engage systems/backups systems with battery, APU,shutting down alerts. All the pilots are amazing peoples. God (Allah) bless to all pilots, they are deserve a big respect.

TK1951; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCFOrT6TDWM&feature=player_embedded

God bless all of them! this is strong, very strong earthquake!May God be help them.

Turkish Airlines disaster has been released on NG at last week. You can find in youtube. But there are a few mistaken while creating that documentary 1-Turkish pilots english accents not looks like "arabic" 2-very important action is missing on documentary. when captain attempted to take control, opened full throttle first for recovering but thrust levers came back idlle by A/T control, once again captain give full power but it was too late. In the documentary, shown only one time full power attempt. Official reports said that captain tried two times.

it is really surprise that I couldn't see Turkish Airlines instead of a few airlines on the list! I wouldn't expect in first 5 but shoud be in top ten. Honestly, LH, Airfrance and Aeroflot are not deserve to be part of this list.

My father was dead by heart attack when I was 16years old.Everything happened in front of my eyes.First moments are very important and you have to know what you are doing. Heart attack is not like an usual first aid! You can not artificial breathing while heart is working, you can not heart massage while heart working or working irregular! you have only a few chance; pills for under tongue (becouse medicine joins very quicly in blood systems), defibrillirators (electroshock) and maybe adrenaline which can be use by doctor, and the most important thing; you have need a doctor! I can't read that how long she was in toilet? what kind of stronge heart attack and how was she is endurance against heart attack? If they noticed after minutes she didn't get back+trying to open door, it means already was too late. I agree with it; all cabin crew must be trained about such as theese very important health problems especially heart attack. Using defibrilators,urgent doctor calls etc. Local and international authorities should be much carefull about first aid traning of crews than "liquids" which are allowed or not! All cabin crews should be "real" trainings for first aid in a hospital or gets certificates which is confirmed by paramedic specialist.

Why some pilots insistent about to land in foggy weather? it was 3rd attempt! according information from avherald The airport reported, that the airplane had attempted and aborted an approach to runway 17, then performed a second approach to runway 35 which was aborted again and crashed while attempting the third approach to runway 17 again. The airport confirmed three fatalities, two serious injuries and two survivors with no injuries. The airport will be closed at least until 18:00L (18:00Z). metars at the accident time; EICK 101000Z 09008KT 0400 R17/0600N R35/0450N FG BKN001 05/05 Q1010 NOSIG EICK 100930Z 08005KT 050V110 0300 R17/0375N R35/0350N FG BKN001 04/04 Q1010 NOSIG

Very nice retro-livery especially I liked very much letters fonts. Also very nice picture.

I don't think so US trade embargo is the most reason of that sadly incident. Iranair is operating a lot of US or Europe made planes such as B742,74SP,A300/310 and Fokker. They can't buy spare parts directly from manufacturers but they can find that parts from everywhere by traders companies or countries.Even it was a major reason,all planes should be grounded like as F14 Tomcats or western made military planes. As you can see, there was really bad weather conditions and the most of B727s were crashed in almost the same conditions. (two accident in Turkey, one of them THY plane in Ankara-LTAC in snowing another one from Condor in İzmir-LTBL Cigli AB in heavy rain) My condolences to all victim's families.

Last chances seen of Biman's DC10 which is last DC10 in pax service.They will be remove them and replaced with B777 soon. Thanks Norman.

Nice to see Turkish Carriers in Malaysian airports. Onur air's A330s already was flying on behalf SaudiArabian airlines with other operator AtlasJet's A330,A320 and B752. Maybe Atlasjet's A330s can be join Hajj charter flights in next years.

sorry, my fault; TA=traffic alert advisory , RA=resulation alert advisory

According some news and reports, Cessna 525 hasn't got TCAS-II system. TCAS-II is not mandatory to below specific weight aircrafts such as small planes, small bizjets. THY 777 pilots gets three times traffic alerts but system was not capable TA/RA options becouse , TA/RA does work with both aircraft have the same system. REgular TCAS just only shows position on TCAS display but plane just can receive only TA=traffic alert , RA=resulation alert doesn't work becouse system doesn't know other plane what does doing! British Transport Safety Bureau should be focus on their air traffic controllers firstly.Thames area is very crowded section and Heathrow approach course is very attractive area. I don't know both aircraft in the same frequency at that time becouse THY planes should be in "london directory" for approach phase.THY Pilots should be trust to controllers in that crowded area becouse I'm sure there are a lot of sign which are climbing and descending on navigation display at that time.

Please, somebody stopped to Ryanair CEO!!! God ,please help us! I'm waiting next "idiotic level brillant" ideas from Ryanair on behalf aviation industry! - no more older passangers! they are too slow while boarding and disembarking! - fares shoould be calculate by your weights! - no need to seats anymore, all passangers can be sitdown on the floor! no need safebelt! who needs a safebelts in an airplane? they already only one pilot! - according by Ryanair Ceo, if planes flies by computers, no need to pilots anymore! even only one! all school kids can fly an airplane if they are using microsoft flightsimulator. Who cares about the flightsafety? isn't? (hey mr O'leary, may I ask how is your salary for who flies the plane?I'm available!) - passangers can be fly "naked"! whay they are makes extra weights with their clotes! - ahhh we forget, he can be offer over the wings for "promotion" , if you can stay at over the wings!who knows? - another one! if O'leary restricted luggages, example "0" luggage, all cargo compartments can be use for filled up with extra passangers. As far as I know rear cargo compartments doesn't climate! who cares!!!!

according by aviation herald reports, the plane reports emergency with the smoke and fire shortly after takeoff. After fuel dump they were attempt a visual approach for rwy 12L but they were too high and too fast. In the mean time, crew has been reports there are no indications on the flight displayes. ATC tried to vectors Sharjah's both runway which one they wish to land but plane turns to right hand side and crashed near military base site to desert. I'm really sad heard that. My deeply condolences to victims families and colleagueses. Rest in peace.

Joseph, 360 degree truns as known as "ORBIT" which is seperatly from "HOLDING". HOLDING points are describes on necessary airport charts and every holding points has own itself enter and exit procedure by incoming direction. (one of 4 enter types in a holding). Orbits are just only order by air traffic controller which is when needed by getting under traffic control or safety. Orbit points are not describe on charts and ATC maybe order anytime in anywhere with " ABC123 make an orbit right hand side(or left hand side) due traffic seperation". When ATc gives that order, they know your speed, altitude and position is available for making to do. Generally this order does work for getting better seperation between two aircraft, or waiting for a VFR traffic for approach queue between IFR/airliner traffics. In this case ATC can be give order to a VFR traffic example "9M-ABC make right hand side orbits east of airport 2 nm out , I'll call you for short final for visual approach rwy 14L". Order format can be change in depends on traffic situation or by countries by orbit order can be use almost all airports when necessary.

As far as I know, if you are making a trip more than 100km you are "journey situation" (in Turkish "seferi" means who is being moving ). In this case fasting is discreation in person responsibility. Taking time from start point by daily fasting time is not reliable becouse if you fly(or move)west; according by sunset time fasting time would be increase, if you fly(or move) eastbound, fasting time would be decrease. So I don't think so pilots can be calculate fasting break time fully correctly.

Thanks for great shots. I thought Saudia never buy airbus for thier fleet becouse they are using ACMI plans from Onur Air (Turkey). This is really brand new Airbus A320 for Saudia fleet which is delivered 21.07.2010. SunExpress is seems very nice with new livery.The company changed simple white+sunexpress logo livery after years and now seems like much colorfull.

Hidayat thanks very much I'll forward your reply to him.

Hello everyone, One of my young friends (from virtual skies) is "future planning desicion" phase in his life. He is seeking some "Aviation Universities" around the world and I told him that I can ask you if you have any informaton. Do you know any Aviation University in Australia which are include; - supports international students - include flight training - average budget per year or whole education(4 years) thanks

Keith/Kip, thank you for TUAF E/B737 picture, we are still waiting to see her over Turkey skies. I think first e/B737 will be delivery in few months. Pakistan AF's JF17 is really interesting. I have to make some reserach about production history of that. It seems "AERITALIA" still very instist to selling old G22 but new make-up G27J! event thay give hunderets names for this plen, they could never sell!I remember, they offered old G22s 20 years ago to Turkish Air Force.. When I quick look it up, that is the same plane except possible new engines and avionics! thanks for the pictures.

Weihong, thank you for TUAF E737 AWACS, I'll send the picture link to my local forum with your name, for your information.