Reichsmarschall
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FROM TURKEY WITH LOVE
Air Marshal Najeeb Akhtar
When I graduated from PAF College Risalpur, the number of
available T-33 aircraft in No 2 Sqn was not sufficient for our training
due to wartime deployment. Eighteen pilots were, therefore, deputed
to go to our brotherly country Turkey for training with the Turkish Air
Force. The Base there had a system of using the T-33 simulator before
actual flying. This helped the pilots to learn the basic procedures and
polish their handling of on-ground and in-flight emergencies.
Normally, all emergencies were handled by going through a
series of check-lists for re-checking the aircraft systems and getting
the aircraft back to normal operation. Even serious emergencies like
engine failure, fire warning or engine overheat merit a few steps to re-
check and re-evaluate the situation before deciding to take the extreme
measure of bailing out from the aircraft.
We were a few weeks into the schedule of simulator training when
we learnt that the Turkish Base Commander was coming to inspect our
progress. One of us got into the simulator and the flight was on its way.
In a moment, the Base Commander ordered the simulator instructor to
give the student “Engine Failure”. As the instruments began winding
down, the student pilot started to go through the checklist procedure.
“What are you doing?”, the Base Commander asked
“Sir, the checklist.”
“No, checklist. You just bail out”
“Sir ?”
“You just bail out, OK.”
“OK, Sir.”
Now the next student got into the simulator and he was given the
“engine overheat”. “Retard the throttle” the student began, see if the
overheat light goes out.”
“What are you doing?”, demanded the Base Commander.
“Sir, the checklist”
“No – you have a problem, you just bail out, OK
“Bail out, Sir.”
“Yes, bail out.”
“OK Yes, Sir.”
And the next student got into the simulator. Another emergency
given: another reading of the checklist and another intervention by the
Base Commander and ordering of the one simple step – “Bail out.”
Finally, the Base Commander decided to tackle the problem once
for all. He collected all eighteen of us and said,
“Look, I have 56, T-33 aircraft lined up on the tarmac. If you
bail out of two or three aircraft, the Americans will replace those
immediately – no problem. But, I have only eighteen of you
guys here and it’s my responsibility to return each of you safely
to Pakistan. Should something happen to anyone of you, what
answer I’II give to the brotherly Pakistan Air Force? So you have
an aircraft malfunction, don’t think again – hit the button and bail
out.”
Simulator flying became extremely easy thereafter.
Source~Air Pockets
Air Marshal Najeeb Akhtar
When I graduated from PAF College Risalpur, the number of
available T-33 aircraft in No 2 Sqn was not sufficient for our training
due to wartime deployment. Eighteen pilots were, therefore, deputed
to go to our brotherly country Turkey for training with the Turkish Air
Force. The Base there had a system of using the T-33 simulator before
actual flying. This helped the pilots to learn the basic procedures and
polish their handling of on-ground and in-flight emergencies.
Normally, all emergencies were handled by going through a
series of check-lists for re-checking the aircraft systems and getting
the aircraft back to normal operation. Even serious emergencies like
engine failure, fire warning or engine overheat merit a few steps to re-
check and re-evaluate the situation before deciding to take the extreme
measure of bailing out from the aircraft.
We were a few weeks into the schedule of simulator training when
we learnt that the Turkish Base Commander was coming to inspect our
progress. One of us got into the simulator and the flight was on its way.
In a moment, the Base Commander ordered the simulator instructor to
give the student “Engine Failure”. As the instruments began winding
down, the student pilot started to go through the checklist procedure.
“What are you doing?”, the Base Commander asked
“Sir, the checklist.”
“No, checklist. You just bail out”
“Sir ?”
“You just bail out, OK.”
“OK, Sir.”
Now the next student got into the simulator and he was given the
“engine overheat”. “Retard the throttle” the student began, see if the
overheat light goes out.”
“What are you doing?”, demanded the Base Commander.
“Sir, the checklist”
“No – you have a problem, you just bail out, OK
“Bail out, Sir.”
“Yes, bail out.”
“OK Yes, Sir.”
And the next student got into the simulator. Another emergency
given: another reading of the checklist and another intervention by the
Base Commander and ordering of the one simple step – “Bail out.”
Finally, the Base Commander decided to tackle the problem once
for all. He collected all eighteen of us and said,
“Look, I have 56, T-33 aircraft lined up on the tarmac. If you
bail out of two or three aircraft, the Americans will replace those
immediately – no problem. But, I have only eighteen of you
guys here and it’s my responsibility to return each of you safely
to Pakistan. Should something happen to anyone of you, what
answer I’II give to the brotherly Pakistan Air Force? So you have
an aircraft malfunction, don’t think again – hit the button and bail
out.”
Simulator flying became extremely easy thereafter.
Source~Air Pockets
