It always amazes me how little things can have major impacts on how the jet operates and how you operate the jet.
We do our heavy maintenance for the 737 in New Zealand so our most likely Ferry destination is Christchurch.
I have always liked Christchurch. Beautiful weather although a
wee bit cold
as the locals would say. I really feel for them with the devastation that occurred and continues to plague them from earthquakes.
Back to my point small things can have big consequences. For a ferry you have no passengers. Obviously that makes the plane lighter with the flow on affects of better performance low fuel burns slower key speeds. But with 70% of problems on flights coming from passengers it makes these flights a breeze.
BUT from my experience you some how feel a lowering of responsibility or risk for it is just you and the FO. Which is obviously wrong. I have experienced normally very conservative competent pilots suddenly make spurious decisions for no obvious reason other than they have no passengers on board. Is it the no uniform, is it the sense of responsibility or the sense of freedom I don’t know.
Now I am not trying to launch into a discussion on chaos theory or alike but it all comes down to mindset. And passengers should make no difference.
Oh the title comes from how NZ pronounce Ferry. My unreserved apologies in advance for any offense cause by an accent gag.
beechyblog 