Got to fly a 737 for the first time today :)
Posted by AmbroseRL@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 114 comments
Hard work pays off, incredible experience 🤙 What was your first time flying an airliner like?
Necessary_Topic_1656@reddit
i was physically at the destination airport saying good bye to the passengers helping them down the aircraft air-stairs at the end of my first line flight. i hadn't seen the plane before, all training was done in the simulator. the first flight was just 20-minutes. and 19 paying passengers got to experience my first landing in the aircraft but mentally i was still back at the departure airport. wondering how i got to the destination.
i think i forgot to slowdown and the training captain pushed the prop levers up for me on a 3-mile final and i was still doing 250kts at 1000ft coming down the glideslope, but got it stable at 500ft.
BE-1900.
deetman68@reddit
250kt in a B190??
LOL
Necessary_Topic_1656@reddit
ok you’re right 248.
youre slacking if you’re not clacking.
or what else did they say? the goal is the limit. or the limit is the goal? or something like that.
iflyfreight@reddit
If you ain’t clackin’ you’re slackin’ and the limit is the goal was my 1900 experience lol. Never got to fly it 121 but I didn’t mind since the pay was much better by the time I ended up flying them haha. Still my favorite airframe to fly
DefundTheHOA_@reddit
I don’t even remember my first day lol it was all a blur
benwa51@reddit
I hate you lol j/k ❤️
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Crazy experience! Can imagine it being over before you truly grasp what's going on haha
Erico360@reddit
What are the social media guidelines at Transavia?
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
We're okay to post things like these. We're expected to use sound judgement with our comments & way in which we present ourselves (and company by extension).
PRISONER_709@reddit
First time I got 2 landings done and 4 takeovers, super overwhelmed compared to the sim. Second time it was good!
Last of the group, wind start started building up, started with two takeovers, after the second I thought I was cooked then I managed to put myself together, trainer was really good and understanding
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Glad to hear that you got to try again and nailed it that time! Wind can be very tricky irl compared to the sim 😁
PRISONER_709@reddit
Yeah I was so lucky I got to try again!!
Congrats btw, you joined one of the top companies in the EU 🙌
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Appreciate it!
PRISONER_709@reddit
Can I ask you if you guys do point to point or layovers? 👀
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
We pretty much do base - destination - base every day. Can be x2 on the shorter flying distances. If we need a hotel at destination something usually has gone wrong 🤣
PRISONER_709@reddit
Niiice!! That's the best way imho, hotel life sucks!
4 legs days >>> supermarket salad eaten in the hotel room 👀
indiearmor@reddit
Outstanding!a
JustaRandoonreddit@reddit
do a barrel roll!
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Does doing that on the simulator during UPRT count?
hockeyboy87@reddit
Why are you cruising around at 1500 ft hahah
matteolosardo@reddit
I’m a first officer for another European airline, and I did the same training flight about two months ago… we did touch and goes in Shannon Airport… Definitely a fun experience!
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Aircraft training as part of MPL training before starting line training. Consists of 1500ft circuits doing 5 touch and go's (flaps30), a go around and a full stop (flaps 40).
TheAlmightySnark@reddit
Neat, where does Transavia do the circuit training?
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Depends on availability & convenience. First group of my class did it in Pula, Croatia while my group did it in Aalborg, Denmark.
TheAlmightySnark@reddit
Interesting, you'd think Groningen or some airport in Germany would be more convenient given that you can land on most smaller airports anyway. Flying all the way to Croatia seems rather laborious. I know the widebodies from AMS have 3 options(Shannon, Leipzig and Valtri in Northern France).
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Groningen can be very busy with VFR traffic which is probably why. Paris-Vatry and Shannon were actually my group's original airports of choosing but it was changed to Aalborg last minute for reasons unbeknownst to me (I'd assume weather or traffic).
TheAlmightySnark@reddit
Ah interesting, I keep forgetting KLS is at Groningen!
hockeyboy87@reddit
Interesting that they don’t have you do that in the sim.
ahh_my_shoulder@reddit
Very standard in europe. Iirc you need at least 500 hours on an airliner to be allowed to do zero flighttime training (same thing just on a sim) on a new aircraft you're being typerated on. It's super fun. Did mine on the 320 with all my classmates on a hungarian air force base.
hockeyboy87@reddit
Neat! Ya that would be pretty fun. I never never had to do that in Canada. But would have loved to haha
Full_Wind_1966@reddit
We do that at my airline on the dash for some reason
ahh_my_shoulder@reddit
Yea, the systems really are completely different. 🤔
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
We did 1 full flight sim practice lap of this before doing it in the real thing. I'm very happy we got to do this 👌
hockeyboy87@reddit
Ya that’s awesome!
1Crownedngroovd@reddit
My first jet was a DC9-50. It was like grabbing a tiger by the tail!
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Big one to start on!
skakid812@reddit
Mine was a 707 😭 (mil) still can’t believe they let me.
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Thats insane!
Outrageous_Act2564@reddit
I'm not a pilot but love aviation, especially airliners. I've heard the DC9 was a lot to handle. What made it so for you? I flew on them a lot in my lifetime. Interested to hear your experiences!
1Crownedngroovd@reddit
The biggest thing I'd flown before the DC9 was a DHC7 and DC3, so the speed and acceleration was wild. I was also surprised at how long it took to get it slowed down and configured.
Accurate-Indication8@reddit
DC3, that's awesome man!
EuBruceWayne@reddit
A uns meses atrás tive a honra de participar da troca do motor de um 777, nunca vou esquecer desse dia. 🤩
InternationalPoem542@reddit
Gefeliciteerd! Geniet ervan zolang ze nog 737's hebben.
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
iflyfreight@reddit
First airline flight was a CRJ-7 Phoenix to Flagstaff. I believe the airtime was somewhere around 30 minutes though it’s hard to remember exactly. All I remember was my brain was still at the gate when I landed and that I was a touch right of centerline. There were 68 passengers on board that flight and they all got their destination safely. It was one flight of 5 I would do that day. I fly cargo now but I always found inner satisfaction knowing everyone in the back was going to their destination for something. Maybe they’re going back home, maybe a work trip or a vacation. Maybe a funeral or a wedding. Being such a small part of some very big moments for people is something I always appreciated. I’m sure you will too
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Appreciate it and thank you for your story! I remember similar experiences when starting out on the simulator when instructors slightly pushed our limits with tougher airports/departures/arrivals while hand flying. The session would be over but the brain was still processing the things happening in the first departure haha How are you enjoying cargo compared to airlines?
iflyfreight@reddit
Cargo is unique. There are pros and cons to both for sure but for me, the bigger blocks of time off and no commuting make it hard to think about going back to traditional airline flying
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
It does sound nice sometimes, also not having to deal with the crazy passenger stories I hear a lot. Maybe something to consider for me in the future ;)
pooserboy@reddit
Look at it this way though, now you’re possibly flying life saving medication to someone who needs it, or maybe you’re flying a birthday present to a child who has been asking for it all year
iflyfreight@reddit
It’s very true. I appreciate that perspective. No doubt it is still satisfying taking things that people need or want to them safely. I’m sure others here can also appreciate the treat of flying a 747. It’s probably something I don’t appreciate enough when I’m going on 2 weeks away from home haha
jimjoe21@reddit
Is being away for 2 weeks at a time pretty typical for a cargo pilot flying something of that size? Sorry if this is a noob question haha I am still new to the aviation world.
iflyfreight@reddit
Relatively normal yeah. My company is what is known as an ACMI. Which means we supply the Aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. Basically U-Haul for airplanes. If you need to move a bunch of stuff around the world you can call my company and book a flight on our plane more or less. ACMIs typically have pilots away from home 14-18 days at a time with 12-16 days off in between work trips. That’s why I love it. I get all the flying out of the way for the month then I can spend the other 12 or so days off however I want. It’s a nice life cadence for me.
maethor1337@reddit
Username checks out.
TristanwithaT@reddit
FLG is a hard airport for IOE! The winds can get really wonky and if you have to fly the ILS it’s fairly offset from the runway. I still don’t really like flying into there, but the hotel is really nice, so I deal with it lol.
iflyfreight@reddit
Yeah it can be challenging, at least I remember it that way! Funny enough I only went there one other time as I was DEN and ORD based and only was in PHX for IOE. The vast majority of my time at the regionals was on the mighty 200. Though Wyoming has its own set of challenges I suppose
Mountain-Cut-7708@reddit
Was up with the center tank at 6.5k and the wings less than 4k?
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Wing tanks are full at that number. 3.9xx kg per tank max.
Mountain-Cut-7708@reddit
Damn ‘merican brain can’t see Kg.
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Mfw it ain't bald eagles/square hamburgers
AIRdomination@reddit
It’s kilograms.
cutefeetbaby22@reddit
The hands 😍
Katana_DV20@reddit
Fantastic! Love the big beefy controls, buttons and switches like they came from a ship. Solid plane. Which variant are you on? -800? Happy flights!
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
800 yes! Our company recently got rid of the last 700's and is also slowly transitioning to A321 so I'll be back for a type rating change in a couple years 🤣
Katana_DV20@reddit
Make the most of the happy Boeing yoke before you are confronted with the video game sidestick, a slideout tray and the plane insulting you just before touchdown 😷
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Will do! Very glad to at least be able to fly the 737 before its gone from our company 😁
Katana_DV20@reddit
Whats -800 like to hand-fly? Will you get to hand fly often at your airline?
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
I came from very limited real life experience (ca. 50h on P-mentor and 4 flights on a Zlin) but compared to that you could really notice the mass and thus the slight delay on your inputs being converted into movement.
At our airline afaik we're okay to fly departures & arrivals by hand given sound judgement of conditions. They promote doing so every once in a while to keep up manual flying skills.
Katana_DV20@reddit
>They promote doing so every once in a while to keep up manual flying skills.
So cool and thats so important. A close friend of mine is a Capt on A320 and he was quiet upfront with me about the loss of stick & rudder skills he was was experiencing. So whenever he can he rents a C172 and gets in some old school crosswind landings and all that!
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
I can imagine that happening very quickly if you rarely do so! Especially on Airbus aircraft. Smart decision on his part to keep it up in different ways!
a_leyva@reddit
Congrats and Safe Travels
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
dreamniner@reddit
Congratulations! How’d it feel??
My first airliner experience was in the CRJ-900, like most American pilots. Nothing crazy to note really, just a great experience. Atlanta to Northwest Arkansas. I had prior turbine experience in citations so it wasn’t as big of a leap as a lot of my CFI counterparts. First flight in a new type is always super memorable!
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Was definitely very cool to feel the differences between sim and real life. Though you very quickly forget you're actually flying around a real jet (atleast in my experience). Taking a step back during the flight to genuinely realise that is something I highly recommend to others who will come after me.
Big difference was definitely how the wind can change quickly and have quite some effect. Below 500ft it picked up a little on my flight and meant I had to really push it down sometimes. Wasn't quite used to that.
kennedye2112@reddit
Hey so just for next time, usually you’re supposed to keep the horizon level. 😛
Congratulations!
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Appreciate it! 🤣
BORG_MeK130@reddit
Where are you flying a classic at? Lol
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
800 NG 😄
otherwisepandemonium@reddit
I'm just a lowly private pilot putting around in C172 and Piper Cherokees. How does the 737 physically feel when flying? Does it feel heavy, or is it nimble?
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Definitely feels heavy in comparison to GA aircraft. Really takes a second to properly respond to inputs.
ToastaHands@reddit
Haven't flown an airliner yet but I did do a course involving 40 hours on a fixed base 737 MAX simulator, and i have to say it was incredible! I can't wait to actually fly one
Cal-Goat@reddit
Happy for you. But a small part of me hopes you get to experience other airliners so you can understand what terrible airplanes the 737NG/Max are.
I’m sure you’ll always think fondly of it for this memory, but hopefully you gain the perspective of how much an airliner, even one designed as long ago as 1980, by the same company, can actually be.
But again, sincerest congratulations for achieving this amazing dream. I know exactly how special it is.
It was an EMB-120 Brasilia for me
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
My company is actively transitioning from 737 to a321 so I'll be experiencing that in a year or 3-4. Appreciate it!
WickedLordSP@reddit
Congratulations Mate! Wish you safe flights. I've been flying 737 for like three years and more I fly more I liked this machine.
LaloMcNombres@reddit
To answer your question about 1st time flying- my VERY 1st flight of the day we got line checked! And it was my IOE CA’s very 1st trip as a training CA. Whoops. LCA felt silly, but we did the flight. I was PNF and it went by FAST. ORF-DCA.
My 1st landing was back at DCA later in the day. River visual 19. Greased it on (at least that’s my memory of it!). CA was pretty happy with me, and the trip went well. Now as for me second IOE trip- that was a whole nuther animal. Guess there was some beginner’s luck involved at first.
LaloMcNombres@reddit
So jealous! Got to fly the CRJ before losing my medical. My uncle took delivery of one of the 1st 73s when he flew for Piedmont. Always wanted to fly to plane.
PineappleLong510@reddit
If you don't mind me asking, what made you lose your medical?
LaloMcNombres@reddit
The FAA! 😂😂😂
benwa51@reddit
Sorry but I agree with the original question asker and I'm sorry it happened but I think it's educational to understand why. I'm very sorry it happened to you. And I'm happy you got to fly as much as you may have
prerakss@reddit
If I have been type rated for 737 after how much time i can shift to b777x
Consistent-Rest-1120@reddit
A320 Driver here, just completed mine in Jan! Surreal experience. Sad to think that I'll probably never get to do patterns in an empty jet with TOGA thrust.
Kingston5167@reddit
CRJ for me. Didn't feel real lol. Now it's like driving a car
22Planeguy@reddit
First jet flight was a 767 in good ol southern Oklahoma at a grand total of 126 hours of total flight time. That first touch and go was... firm. So was the second. Also my first reciever plug that day, with one SLOW closure.
aftcg@reddit
The Brrrrrazzzzeeeeelllliya for me. I never got good at that one.
BigGrayBeast@reddit
I don't know if they still do this, but Japan Airlines had a training center at Livermore, California.
At least one time a year, they brought in a 737 for the students to get some experience in a big piece of metal. It was weird seeing that 737 flying the pattern all day long.
Baystate411@reddit
FD Off too, what a baller
jetblackpilot@reddit
Nice man! She’s a fun plane!
Accurate-Indication8@reddit
Surprisingly anticlimactic. I was flying an ERJ-175 and my first landing was at KSAN (at night) and it was a greaser. My next few? Not so much!
Malcolm2theRescue@reddit
My first landing in the DC-9 the check airman asked if I had been flying the airplane before. I melted. I had come from flying a Falcon 20.
warning_signs@reddit
Congrats
MondayNightRawr@reddit
I’ve never seen that plane before. Is it common?
InternationalTie504@reddit
Update your heading bug bro! 🤣
dcl415@reddit
Mine was a Dash 8-100
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Seems really cool, what was that like?
dcl415@reddit
Was amazing. Landing a transport category aircraft on a gravel runway is one of the best feelings as an airline pilot
FlyAirbusB6@reddit
CRJ-200 from ORF-LGA. Like many of you stated above, I was miles behind the airplane!
Dear-Regret-9476@reddit
This is PH-HZW, a 24 year old Transavia 737-800. This flight was from Aalborg Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, departing at 03:36PM CEST and landing at 04:41PM CEST
falconx89@reddit
Niiiiice
Sugar_Cane_320@reddit
My first airline flight was on the E145 from CLE-RDU. I wasn’t even holding onto the tail, I was so far behind lol. I fly the 737 now, try to enjoy it :)
Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit
Same, flying the airliner around the circuit for 6 circuits (back then there was no requirement to do a go around as well). Incredible feeling to be doing touch and goes in an airliner.
Hope you've had a blast!
PWJT8D@reddit
Why do you all have this exact same photo 🤣
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Easiest angle for my classmate who is strapped into the reserve seat behind the captain 😆
PWJT8D@reddit
There are hundreds of the exact same photo with the same caption lol
AmbroseRL@reddit (OP)
Dunno I mostly lurk in here so don't see it too often. Only really recognize the angle from my classmates and fellow classes before us haha
rFlyingTower@reddit
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Hard work pays off, incredible experience 🤙 What was your first time flying an airliner like?
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