After my first two permanent crew commanders I did not have constantly crew more than half a year Even when I was on the input of the young commander they hardly learned that I have more plaque than others, immediately began to restore justice, as we flew the first 200 hours!
No any changes in the crew the first 200 hours with a young captain!
We flew to Tbilisi, with inspection. T.A.G. is inspector on the board. The flight complited normally and after flight analysis goes - analysis of errors and so on. My turn was speaking. Everything looked fine, but in Moscow Air Zone I was told by dispatcher that we have deviated 2 kilometers from the track. I honestly said that there was such deviation - I remember about it.
- Yes, but not 2, but 22 kilometers. For 2 kilometers you would not say no one We thought to enter you in abroad , and you can not fly on the track - said T.A.G.
And that's when I thought that I was in a deep potential pit, like brainless B-particles described in the equation famous nuclear physicist Shredenberg.
The fact that you have special task in the deviation from the track whose width is 5 km, it is in principle impossible. In Moscow there was a system of air traffic controllers "Tierces", produced in Sweden and controllers, using this system, informed us that, for example, after 5 minutes with this course, you will go beyond the track 2 kilometers (2 + 5 = 7kilometrov ) than the cause, sometimes, our irritation. (What isoutpu it with what course I follow! Maybe I'm correcting the system. Report if the deviation of the route has already happened).
The training detachment is a holiday. The meetings with colleagues, and the opportunity to talk with them and working day from 9 to 15! And get paid on average! This training detachment is every two years and continuing for almost a month!
Sitting on the training detachment, I once complained to the navigator of our detachment, about that I was not prepared abroad. That Igor Nicolaevich our navigator squad said me:
- Do you work here for long time? And some work here longer than you, so forget about yours first class and wait for, when you call.
- So it is well known, who had worked here. I worked 10.5 years on the North not because of I was eager to work there.
Igor retired in the year 2000 Highly gentle man he was on that position !
My colleagues, basically, were great people. Always ready to help, always insure. Sergei Bruev is an unique. We flew with him in Arkhangelsk in the same squadron. He always helped people and people always remembered and appreciated. Serge did even more than it was sometimes requested. Sergei loved the mountains and skiing, and when he started to going to the swiming pool, all of our were very happy.
But instead of swimming he began to jump from the curbstone sometimes even backwards. Sergey made no secret of how he got to Peter, but having a good heart and docile nature, he had no enemy and began to climb quickly . Now he flies on the Tu-154, but as said R. Burns:
My heart is not here.
My heart's in the Highlands,
We were doing business with him together: We carried to Kazakh Germans German money and they paid rubles for us .
In the very this time was a denomination - so we could lost a pile of money and Sergey came up to buy tickets on a very long distance on the plane and the next day they were returned to the booking office. (We received a new money)
In general, we lost only 10%, but earned more.
After entering Anatoly in abroad, Sergei began to fly with him. By the way, Anatoly was very responsible and always has been from that of their responsibility, take it all to the heart and could not fly soon - tired and himself retired. This is a very courageous step. Not everyone would have it mastered! We meet sometimes.
Sergei after flew on the Tu-154. Became the main navigator of An-148 and A-319 and 320 He flies before now and visit me.
When we fly often on the same track then we keep whole map in the head and seldom take it . Misha Tsvetkov also kept the whole map in the head. The delegation comes to him to see how he works.There they sow that Misha lounging in a chair, smoking a Belomorkanal and there was no map. But on the navigator table was the pack of that same Belomor, with a painted on it Belomorobaltiyskim channel and towns nearby. Well, that comrades asked him where is the map and whow he set a flight path? Yes,it is here, says Michael, pointing to a pack of cigarettes Belomor.
The subject of socks is inexhaustible. For a long time even when the socks were also deficient, Misha went to the flights not in the black socks, but not in blue socks, and in general in the yellow! Unfortunately, on the board, was the the verifier, and on Misha's yellow socks stared to look with undisguised emotion. Misha felt this look on his socks and took it off and put it in the portfolio with a secret documentation .
They landed and after the flight analysis goes.
No comments, but verifier says:
- All is well but the socks ...
- I was in a hurry, that I had to go without any socks to be in time Misha said.
- I've seen, it can not be !
Misha had to stop and lift up pants a bit and really, there were no socks !
Once I was checking by navigator of squadron Viktor Stepanov. We flew to Ufa. We avoided some isolated thunderstorms successfully and without any incident had already landed. We took off, and there was a very tricky locator failure had occured and thunderstorms had already waiting for us.
In manual flight operation, there are no such denial, but when I learned in Ulyanovsk, I remember that our Berta Nikolaevna talked about this and following the acquireded knowledge, I persisted,the failure and we successfully avoided thunderstorms,. This happened with me on the Tu-134 the first time in 15 or 16 flying years and I was sure to transfer this experience, but it was not happened.
I will translate the story of this event. It is my pride!
About a month later, we fly to Ekaterinburg.The trainee on board with me and I spend a bunch of energy for his education . We had already flown back and I pay attention to the battery charging current, which was much higher than normal. I thought, the thermal runaway. and switch off it away from the problems. In Arkhangelsk,it was such a case and it just did not notice. There was a boiling battery light explosion ripped hatch and crew quickly landed from depressurization and fire on an emergency landing at the airport of departure.
Everything finished good, but nobody wrote it in the logbook. In the logbook write the event those member in whose competence this failure occurs, or by agreement with the flight engineer. Mechanic said that he will record, but did not it, and I did not control. We went on vacations. The aircraft was transferred to another flight. And the new crew notices that there were no the emergency power sources - batteries. Who is blame - it turns out that we were. Flight delay, and this state of emergency. In general, as engineers said, I did everything right, and I could be even rewarded if we reported that event. It's a shame, of course, but the main offense was that Victor Stepanov in the smoking room asked me: Well, tell me how you managed to defuse the batteries?
It was said very sarcastically, but I restrained myself.
Then we had the reserve from 21:00 to 9:00. Tthe reserve was in the summer, and our commander and flight engineer were not in the hotel because, they lived close by and left their phone numbers. At 8:40 our hotel leaves the co-pilot, and another 10 minutes later I leave. Before leaving, I asked him to tell me if we send to fly, although at this time, there was not any probability. I whirl in the squadron had already arrived at home and began to gather to dacha . Suddenly the bell.
" Are you going to fly?"
Of course, I was very surprised and like a bullet rushed to the airport. I came for 20-30 minutes before departure and rude to Stepanov , who asked me the standard question: Well, tell me how you late for take off?
In general, in my absence, as well as in the absence of normal operation the commander begged himself a flight that would made a day reserve And ... I was berated for two months! And I said nothing, because really hoped that the co- pilot would explain everything. In vain I hoped. By the way, he retired long time ago.
I liked to fly in Georgia,it was interesting and monetary. We flew to Tbilisi, Batumi, and then in Senaki. Senaki is from Tbilisi to the right. Colchis. In Senaki, as well as in Batumi, often there was no electricity and approaches were in the best Georgian traditions. For a short stay there, we had a time for the market, and the flight director pay us $ 40-50 at the end of the flight .
Once, on the approach we caught the 11 gulls ! Only one, fortunately, a glancing blow hit the bonnet, but did not bring harm .The back flight was always accompanied by the great challenges. Like all businessmen, our tenant was greedy, but sincerely believed that, as upload in the plane she will take off in all cases.
Once he loaded so, that T.A.G. refused to fly. We were waiting that he reduce the load or fuel. He did not reduce the load or the fuel because a special car needed. This car was in Kutaisi, 50-60 kilometers to the east. We will fly away the next morning. We decided to fly to Voronezh to cover our asses. So, we were tucked just to Voronezh. But the overload was so strong that after landing in St. Petersburg, everything was again outweighed T.A.G. after this flight, demoted to the ranks, and we were paid twice and suspended from Senaki fly for a while.
In 1995, I bought an apartment. That was possible thanks to my dad, who worked in a very well-known company, which built a submarines to some countries. And yet it was become possible due to the fact that the government simply did not have time to take my money and I felt the situation in May and I believe that I would be write a separate book !
Perhaps the most unique flight was Peter- Orenburg-Alma-Ata with two crews. We departed at three o'clock in the night. The first crew flew to Orenburg, at this time the second crew sleep at the tail and put the head on his feet. The flight to Orenburg lasted about 3 hours, and this time should be enough boiling activity
for the second crew who flew from Orenburg to Alma-Ata and back, a total of more than 6 hours in the air. On the way back you could sleep, and if insomnia tortured, then certainly by the 20th hour, you can get in a hotel to sleep. We had even special payment . The first crew could sleep , while the second was flying to Alma-Ata.
We flew to Alma-Ata, and on the back way.. . I went to the meteo office, and I was sad - the thunderstorms over the airport and everywhere. Unless, of course, if to go little to the left, almost another corridor, then you can go, however, will have to deviate from the track for 30 kilometers, but it's better than a slalom between thunderstorms!
We fueled before traffic jams, and went to take off. The runway in Almaty longest under 4000 meters, because the heat and low pressure, and general mountain airfield. On our left were the mountains and there were two aircraft at rest forever. And we dispatcher says to climb 4500 over the airfield. In general, the new problem. In vain I tried to explain about the thunderstorms - it was useless, climb over the airfield! We turn right circular away of the mountains, but started after 1500 meters .
The crackle in headphones. The rain water flooded the windscreen and made excess noise .The aircraft chatters like a chip, radiocompasses, or more precisely, their pointers were jumping like a mad, and still later the commander excited, and this is quite wrong. I was so scary after all!
Quickly to climb these 4500,but we were heavy and the speed drops well and slalom, to avoid the most terrible storms anyway. It would be better if the airport was closed, and we went to sleep ...
I did not know exactly about our position - because of the thunderstorm, almost nothing were out of use. At last we climbed 4500 and we were given course on the airway, but what a turn right or left, and how far were the mountains? We turned right, it was far to the mountains . Now it is not so scary -there is the height and space for maneuver. We had to fly over Lake Balkhash, but because of the storms we flew to the West, cut off the track, and the less thunderstorms. At last horror storm ended , the hats of these storm clouds already under us and the air traffic controller asked us to return on the track, which we had deviated 50 kilometers.
The airport closed after us for arrival and departure of all aircraft. But we do not care anymore fatigue and sleep now the worst for us ...
The commander was Nick Nick. He was a sailor, but the passion for the sky led him through the Aero Club on the left command chair. He was aged and I think that closer to him was his cat only. Therefore, the earth thoughts about this cat .If the cat eat who walks with the cat, if we fly to alternativa. And all the others, except the co-pilot was other people - Nick Nick even in navigator would not go!
Now Nick Nick retired, but works at the airport - the sky is closer, and the cat will be fed.
Nick Nick died in 2014
Sanka was the co-pilot . We flew with him for many years. In my opinion Sanka without any nervous system. Probably, it was only on the medical exams. But I really never heard his emotions. Sanka childhood spent on Nevsky Pyatachok(Piglet) and Ladoga Lake.So,he knows that was there more than 60 years ago not from books. I do not know how he stay alive and healthy! Sometime he exploded something, then jumped from somewhere. He received from his childhood useful knowledges - not everyone can defuse the bomb at the bottom, but because Sasha like as very cool businessman rides on a very steep jeep . Sasha flies co-pilot before now , but I know that soon he will be the commander. But regardless of that, we'll go with him to the cottage at Lake Ladoga. We will drink some vodka and sing with him our favorite "From what Motherland is beginning? ".. http://www.piter.fm/artist//song_664181
Марк Бернес - С чего начинается Родина or click here
Sanka, Aleksander has been flying as a Captain since 2012 on the An-148.
Neither quickly nor slowly the time went on and my turn on the international line had been coming to me. I'm getting closer and closer to my ultimate goal, and was absolutely sure of that happy day when I fly over the boundary.
The payment was the same or even higher. The flights on the CIS sometimes were hard even . It was only a fad that I set myself .
I do not remember in what year, but AN-12 of our company Pulkovo collapsed after icing on landing approach and the crew died. Than, somewhere in Africa, the same AN-12 fired from the ground some evil negros, but the plane was brought to the airport . I really do not remember, but in the crew were injured.
And having a constant headache, our management has decided to get rid from that trucks AN-12. Thank God no one was fired and pilots transitioned on the Tu-134, the other on the Tu 154.
All navigator were flying in abroad, so my turn drew off for a while.
By the way, in abroad, on the Boeings and Airbuses were flying without navigator, and in the late of 80's without a navigator began to fly across the ocean. Why? There are many reasons, but the main, it seems to me, is the territory of the countries of Europe and Asia, which were the size of Leningrad region , and in which the beacons stood as the beer stalls in the era of the development socialism in the USSR
GPS-Global Position System began to appear in the late 80's.12 satellites are hanging in the space and transmitting signals to the board, which after processing are becoming very exact location of the aircraft. What did the Soviet navigator with a lot of stress on the North and over Siberia - kept the plane on the track width of 5 + 5 km, GPS received without any troubles and the new requirements for the track-keeping accuracy appeared.
They were the same as those for a long time with us. ± 5 km, but these accuracy were completely justified. Now, in Europe could only fly with these GPS.
The navigation century is ending. Nobody knew how long will fly Tu-134, which could not fly without a navigator in that position.
So, GPS becoming the navigator killer.
What to do? The movemen of Ludt in the UK in the first quarter of the 19th century is known to everybody and this dead-end path does not suit me.
GPS appeared in our air company in1998 and before 2004, this wonderful American system, for 6 full years refused only twice and a couple times there were no satellites and there were no navigation information. It was said that in very high latitudes, it does not work. It was planned that together with our companions, will have a new system called Glounas. It will work on the North Pole, . Until 2007 it will not enter into operation, and had to do it in the early 90's, but all-out democratic changes allowed only to destroy the systems that we have inherited from the Soviet Union, and there were money for the new one.
The historic August events of 1998 came when the President of Russians decided to launch the rockets from "Peter the Great" - our new cruiser. Naturally, we did not know about his highest intention and flew to Murmansk. I flew along the track with an accuracy of 200 meters (data from our GPS) Flying over city Kem I was avoided by Tu-154 1000 meters above me , following the route exactly. This surprised me, because the GPS could not bought any aircompany exept us and AEROFLOT, (AEROFLOT did not fly to Murmansk)
The Tu-154 landed and giving us a way turned in the "pocket" and we landed quietly. Suddenly I heard, "Aleks do you?"
- Who is this guy? - my brains start frantically move..
It turned out, Dima. The same Dima who will take me out from the hospital in 6 years later. Dima has retrained on Ruslan and I even worried when saw him on the Tu-154. That's what my friend told.
- And, thank God, that a Tu-154. Tomorrow I'll fly to Heraklion, and we will earn $ 50!
- And that $ 50 is such a g reat money for you? - Stupidly I continued.
- Do not you are understand?- not expecting such stupidity from my part, continued Dima - we did not have a salary since May!
Ruslan had to carry two helicopters, but they had to drain the hydraulic fluid, and pour it can only be in the presence of the chief engineer, who is now in Abu Dhabi, so I'm on the Tu-154, and helicopters are flying under its own power.
- So the helicopters will fly 8 hours from Moscow - I'm very surprised - here there are Mi-8 enough!
Limousines laden on the IL-76 were already here. Probably, to take President from his plane and to deliver on the Helicopter! At this moment, hacking buzzing, took off IL-18 repeater links on which Dima flew earlier. "Russia" - was written on the board.
The body was brought closer to the finale. Handsome IL-96 were able to build only one instance, because no more money or it were stolen.The news paper "Komsomolskaya Pravda" talk about it. The interior has been painted by Ilya Glazunov, and the salon equipment was requested by the Swiss masters, as it was not easy, but a medical complex,. Very surprised Swiss masters to such order and in their simplicity decided that since the war in Chechnya, then they do the hospital. So the nicknamed was"Flying Hospital" because of it.
Originally, IL-96 landed without a body. After making sure that the landing is suitable for such a large aircraft, (The instructions of Murmansk airport, apparently had been written in the time of socialism, that callous and provocative construction) and only after that the body come.
When the body leaved the "flying hospital", we taxed to the line up, and so I never saw Popularly elected President of the Russians.
The salary the airline "Russia" did not pay for a long time and Dima went out to the airline Volga-Dnepr.
A year later, on the Day of the Navy it was given the money and newspapers excitedly wrote about the joy. It was decided to paint the ships to the holiday. But the money was enough only for the painting a part of the ship. So it was decided to paint only half the ship. And the part which is turned to the audience must be painted, and the opposite side did not, because the money finished. By the way, our company Pulkovo, delay with the money only once on a week. So we from Peter,did not have delays in salary .
The mayoral elections were approaching . A. Sobchak was trying so hard to cut the blue ribbons that his hands did not reach to reconstruct the Bolshoy Prospect of Vasilevsky. So it stood and dug before 89-year.
But the prospectus, as it is known, using a pair of scissors, not possible to bring in order! But the elections on the nose, and the "yellow press" has already overflows its banks, bringing its waters pile of dirt. I took all of these a newspapers and went to our House of Culture air workers personally to ask Anatoly Alexandrovich if it is true or not. Anatoly Aleksandrovich could not lie, looking into the eyes of thousands of people - I thought.
In the House of Culture gathered a few thousand of our employees. And they were all in black socks!
At the podium sat our Boris Grigorievich(the head of the aircompany) and people approximate to him. Notes from the people across the table Boris Grigorievich had to send our luxury girl stewardess. One girl once flew with us, and I asked her to carry brought by my newspaper on the table directly to Anatoly, which was done with genuine joy. However, there were a lot of questions and my prepared materials were at the bottom.
The time of Anatoly was running out already , he was waiting for the another election meeting, and I at last reach the microphone and was ready to ask my questions but at this moment Anatoly clenched in a fist all this yellow press brought by me and transmitted by the beautiful girl and said :
- And what about this - he squeezed all the a newspapers, even stronger, and his hand was even more rushed up,
- That is just dirty insinuations.
I was delighted before evening. In the evening Sobchak and Yakovlev were showed . And it was sad to me, looking at them, and I went to sleep. And I did not go the elections.
Ат last, I was transferred to the second squadron. The first squadron was not bad. I will not forget no one the Commander in it, no one co-pilot, navigator and mechanic, but the navigator of the squadron was designated me as X. And he will X.
I've always liked Ryamet Valery Eskovich. He flew very good. Sincerely, he treated to everyone. Once we flew with him to Arkhangelsk. While taxiing,there was failure of the main course system.
- Able to fly?
-I will fly using orientation on the bushes !
We took off. In 15 minutes, the second , reserve course system failure. And we were already over Ladoga lake. And there was no the course for pilots. I flew using the picture on the radar screen. Autopilot is not connected, because there was no course.
So I gave the command, as a little to the right, a little to the left, a little bit more. We have an emergency compass KI-13 - only for mushrooms on it and walk, as I wrote earlier. We fly to Arkhangelsk, I was hooked for the prospectus of Engels, and I introduced the course at the time of landing approach .
We landed normally. The fuse can be replaced and the order! We were wet a little, but I have not heard a single reproach.
Valeriy Eskovich was written off three years ago. He worked on the staff work and when I was written off, helped me morally. But a year ago, he spit on everything and said:
- It's not my!
Left..
I always had great respect for Alexei Ivanovich P. He was already 60 but he still flying and he refers to the life to the eternal joy and humor. He very easy flying and the other is taught! There was no pilot in the first squadron to whom I had bad attitude.
X - exception. And anyway, he was the chief, and all the heads on there mind. How we know the chiefs are not born. They become. Desirable and write a book, such as "My entry into power."
Evgeny Nesterov was wary the first time to me. I think the rumors about me spreader. Then we flew with him and all was well. Nothing is better check the people as the flights. Just up there, it is clear who is who.
We flew in Chelyabinsk, and then in Novokuznetsk in the night. The weather is good and we all happily. We took off in Chelyabinsk, and did not want to sleep, because we enough slept and still dark. The weather is good- a million to one million. To fly only a two hours. The actual weather is good even there is no wind. The forecast is also wonderful, the fog or thunderstorms were not expected.
We had been already on the abeam of Novosibirsk and the sun began to dazzle the eye and from this began to want to sleep. A little bit more, and after 40 minutes I will in the bed, but first I will take the weather and prepare for landing. The navigator must fly in front of the plane! The strange thing is the organism
You tell him to "sleep!" and he did not want and sleeps just half an hour during the day! Give him the night to sleep. But no time to sleep in night !
Damn! The fog is 200!
It is clearly - radiation fog. During the night the land is cooled, and in the morning the sun heats the ground, and that's the fog! It lasted a couple of hours , but we did not count on it, because the forecast was very good - not justified. I do not want to sleep because the sun behind, because unfolded at Novosibirsk and the work now more.
We landed and quickly refueled, everything considered and signed. The fog has gone, and we flew away. Our time is going away! Time to sleep less and less. We landed, slept 4 hours and flew back. 5:00 hours to fly to Peter and hour of standing in Chelyabinsk.
We were over Belozersk.(navigation code SU) How I wanted to go there! We fllew directly over the Kremlin. On the right is the White Lake - an excellent landmark! We were warned that over Peter thunderhead, but we believe that we break through it. From Belozersky only forty minutes of fly, so in 2 hours I'll be in the bed!
I look in the locator screen and 200 kilometers the front was visible .It lit well, but the holes in it are visible.
- Well, how, we can we try? - Asked Evgeny.
- The holes is in sight , but we will be closer and will decide - I say.
Аs closer we were as less the holes, and above Peter there were CB and shine, as the lights in the disco. Reluctant to go there. My doubts finally allowed KLM - The Netherlands, Boeing-747. He said to ATC of Peter to climb the 11100 and requested avoiding action on the 100 kilometers to the South. And what we should do?
We flew to Moscow to Sheremetyevo. I do not want to sleep, but I want to eat. Everything was already eaten. The pate and corn remained. I tired. I probably would have eaten Aeroflot's chicken, but they were not. They flew away with the collapse of the Soviet Union! Previously, we have always fed Aeroflot's chicken or blue bird, as it was nicknamed our wits. This blue bird such was in a hurry on a frying pan that sometimes even forgetting to shave.
We went to the terminal building. Mates, like Brownian particles moving here and there and the prices in the cafe for the normal fellows, but not for us. Commander realized the first, and I have a complete rejection of hunger brain occurred. The girls feed us.
It became daylight and the storm front began to break down. We flew ...
Normal fellows-slang expression. Means- bandits. Bandits of Eltsin Rossiania.
Faat Kadyrovich Salahetdinov - Tatar. He was flying 40 years, and started somewhere in the Far East on Li-2, and then IL-14, AN-24, and finally, in St. Petersburg on the Tu-134. He was flying correctly and beautifully.
He had navigator, without a spark. He did not like creativity and did not show reasonable initiative. So,when we flew with him, before greeting me, he said loudly:
- Oh, now we're flying with the Navigator.
I loved it. Strong-willed person. We flew in Kaliningrad. The sun has not yet risen, (and in the country of Fools already was in full swing) and the girls brought us breakfast. By the way, we were fed for slaughter already !
I've hung a napkin, and drooling flow, and Faat did not come.
- The sun will rise, and then it will be possible, - he says.
Faat Kadyrovich retired very quiet. I saw him on the street, it is next to the house of my parents. We met and he told me that he had already retired.
- On time, on manners!