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"We are the protagonists of our stories called life, and there is no limit to how high we can fly."

PHD. MBA. MHS. Type rated on A350, A330, B777, B747-400, B747-200, B757, B767, B737, B727. International Airline Pilot / Author / Speaker. Dedicated to giving the gift of wings to anyone following their dreams. Supporting Aviation Safety through training, writing, and inspiration. Fighting for Aviation Safety and Airline Employee Advocacy. Safety Culture and SMS change agent.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Non-stop JFK to Prague

The sun had long since dipped beyond the horizon and dusk was slowly being swallowed by the night. Cleared to taxi, passengers patiently awaited our departure as we crept along the tarmac towards the runway.


We climbed to 37,000 feet, and did a little slopping over the Atlantic.

To SLOP has nothing to do with feeding your pigs, and everything to do with navigation.

Strategic Lateral Offset Procedure

Did you know that our Navigation is so accurate that we intentionally take ourselves off track, 1-2 miles to the right of course so we're all not flying over the top of each other? Tis true.

And then we arrived in Prague. Beautiful country... but I was sitting in the seat and unable to capture the Kodak moment. Perhaps tomorrow.


The first officer, from my last crew, has a cousin who lives here and she is meeting us tonight to take us on a walking tour and out to dinner. Which means... time to nap. Play time later.
Until then....

Enjoy the Journey!

~ Karlene
Posted by Karlene Petitt at 2:48 AM

28 comments:

  1. JDMAugust 18, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Neat! enjoy :) Can'T wait to visit the city myself! It's not called quite that, but we have a great tool on the PC12 as well allowing us to set an offset to avoid thunderstorms, etc..

    we don't fly transatlantic tracks yet so can'T dodge other airliners ;)

    Have a blast!

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  2. David TroyerAugust 18, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    Nice tailwind!

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  3. Linda GrayAugust 18, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Beautiful, Karlene! I hope you'll share some highlights of your walking tour. Prague seems fascinating, with its history and architecture and culture. (p.s. is it Prague's influence that made you wax lyrical so deftly? Love that introductory sentence about night falling)

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  4. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Wow, Prague! Enjoy the journey and call when you get back :)

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  5. Ray JohnstonAugust 18, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Do the controllers assign offset tracks, or is it something you do and notify the controllers about? I'm just curious about it. Thanks! I really enjoy your blog. Have a fun trip.

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  6. HeatherAugust 18, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    The things I learn from you! ;) Have fun in Prague. That's excellent that you have someone to show you around!

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  7. HasleyTAugust 18, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Beautiful!! Have fun! H.T.

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  8. Jeremy CarlisleAugust 18, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Nice photos, Karlene! I'm rest assured that the 747 on 22R is headed for Tel Aviv. Enjoy PRG and will be looking forward to more photos - Jeremy

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  9. UnknownAugust 18, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    I know it must suck waiting for trips, but it seems like you go some of the best places when you do get to fly. Come back soon so we can hang out again.

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  10. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Hi Karlene. WHile all of your posts are spot-on, I enjoy your descriptions of operational events the most and I always hope to see more of them - as in prior days. At the opening, I sort of thought that we'd get a real treat here, but not quite. You'll find the time, someday. In any case, ALL are great fun. Very happy to hear that you are apparently doing a bit more flying. There was quite a dry spell... Thanks and best regards,
    -Craig (Cedarglen)

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  11. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Hi Jean, I bet the tools are the same, what we use them for is a bit different. I know you'll love it out here! Watch out for those Thunderstorms. Thanks for the comment!

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  12. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Thanks for noticing David!

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  13. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    Thanks Linda, Yes... Prague has so much influence! Love the city and all that it has to offer. Details coming soon. Thanks for the comment!
    PS... First line?

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  14. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Thanks Kathy. This is definite on our vacation tour... You'll love it. And, we have a new friend. :)

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  15. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    Hi Ray, we make the decision to SLOP. And, it's only to the right and it's either 1 or 2 miles. The decision is really based on who else is on the track around us... and what are they doing. We can see them on the radar. Thank you so much for the nice comment!

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  16. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Thanks Heather. So much fun. I'm thinking we all need to come here. A perfect place for a writers' retreat. So much history. Thanks for the comment.

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  17. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Thanks H.T.! So much fun!

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  18. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Hi Jeremy! Yes... I suspect you are right. And I love Tel Aviv too! One day I will go again. Thanks for the comment.

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  19. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Christine you are so right! I do get to go to the best places. It is hard waiting... but when I fly, I'm golden. I'll be back soon!!!

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  20. Karlene PetittAugust 18, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Hi Craig, If you notice my blog has been a bit sanitized. And for a reason. I will get in the flow again. But send me any email as to what you'd to see. Thanks for the comment!

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  21. AnonymousAugust 19, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    Your post inspire me! :D

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  22. Karlene PetittAugust 19, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Thank you! Be inspired... it's all about the journey.

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  23. JunAugust 19, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    I proud of you flying all over the world as an airline pilot .That deserves my dream work:)
    thanks for sharing great photos.i like first photo most. very cool.
    have a great weekend.
    Jun

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  24. Karlene PetittAugust 19, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Thank you Jun. I have many more. Wait until you see them! You have a wonderful weekend too!

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  25. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Is this the longest non stop flight with the A330?

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  26. john f kennedy marilynAugust 27, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    It is so nice blog.I liked the headline of the site.Karlene is a beautiful place.Congratulation! you visited all over world.It will a best journey for you.Thanks for sharing with us.First picture is so amazing.
    john f kennedy marilyn

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  27. Karlene PetittAugust 27, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Hi Dennis, Actually New York to Prague is 4081 miles. And we fly Seattle Amsterdam which is 4860 miles. Great question!

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  28. Karlene PetittAugust 27, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    JFK Marilyn, Thank you so much for the nice comment! I love photography so it's pretty fun flying around the world taking pictures.

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Thank you for your comment! If your comment doesn't appear immediately, it will after I land. Enjoy the journey!

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