Friday Fabulous Flyer
Captain "Sully" Sullivan
"What happens when 'psycho' automation
leaves pilots powerless?"
"Instinctively, I release my pressure on the sidestick. Out of my subconscious, a survival technique from a previous life emerges: Neutralise! I'm not in control so I must neutralise controls. I never imagined I'd use this part of my military experience in a commercial airliner ...
On routine flight QF72 from Singapore to Perth on 7 October 2008, the primary flight computers went rogue, causing the plane to pitch down, nose first, towards the Indian Ocean - twice.
The Airbus A330 carrying 315 passengers and crew was out of control, with violent negative G forces propelling anyone and anything untethered through the cabin roof."
"I came to the conclusion that if the pilots cannot stop errant automation, they are conveniently position to absorb the blame. The two 737 MAX accidents are cases in point. And I wonder what the opinion of Western pilots would be in one of these accidents had happened in the US. They were fighting for their lives against a powerful automated system, as I was. "
"Captain Kevin 'Sully' Sullivan has made flying his passion and his life for the past 40 years. He graduated in 1977 from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and earned his FAA Private Pilot License there before pursuing a career in the United States Navy. Designated a Naval Aviator in 1978, he was transferred to Naval Air Station Miramar (Fightertown) to fly the F-14 Tomcat in 1980. He was deployed to the Indian Ocean onboard USS America and USS Enterprise while assigned to Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114 Fighting Aardvarks), and was chosen to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOP GUN). In 1983 he was selected as the first US Navy Exchange Pilot to the Royal Australian Air Force, in the role of a Fighter Combat Instructor flying the Mirage 3. He joined QANTAS Airways in 1986 and flew the Boeing 747 and 767 before transitioning to the Airbus A330 in 2004. As Captain of Qantas Flight 72 (QF72) between Singapore and Perth, WA, on 7 October 2008, he narrowly averted a horrific air disaster when a fault in the plane's automation caused the plane to suddenly nosedive, not once but twice. He was medically retired in 2016."
Captain Sully wrote a book on the QF72 event
and you won't be disappointed!
This is a powerful book of an incredible flight. Not only will you see what happens when automation takes control, when it breaks, when it leaves the pilot fighting to save everyone's life... but you will learn more about automation, pilot skills, training and PTSD/ pilot mental health. All of which are passions of mine.
Get your copy today!
XO Karlene
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