Quiz/Question

[Guest]

Hey guys,Question: How many radios* does an average (real life) 767-300 have, and how many are on the MEL list? Can you name them all?*Radios defined as something to communicate to the ground or another airplane from the cockpit while in the air (transponder does not count).I'm also curious about extra radios on various 767s that might be custom ordered, for instance, could you add another comm radio if your company felt they wanted one?Later,Neil

[Guest Ian_Riddell]

Our -300's have 3 VHF and 2 HF, but I have seen variations to this on other airlines. Domestic aircraft may get by with just 2 VHF comms. No doubt you can order more or less than the standard 5 from Boeing if you have enough money :-hah I'm sure the I've seen aircraft from oil-rich nations bristling with abnormal amounts of communication antennae.I'd guess that Satcom is optional (I've seen an Air Canada 767 with a Satcom antenna which looked suitable for voice transmission, but wasn't sure if it was for cockpit voice transmission, passenger telephones or simply an oversized antenna for ACARS data transmissions). Re ACARS, I suppose you can always "talk" to the ground via text messages. The MEL list would vary with the number of radios fitted, routes flown, airline requirements, etc.Hope this helps... or was this a spot quiz and you knew the answer all along? :-)Cheers.Ian.

[Guest HPSOV]

Well I know you can go with one of the HF's inop, because its happened. And the other one failed in-flight... lots of fun :-)I assume that you can depart with one of the VHF's inop as well.

[Guest]

What's the SOP for total HF radio failure if you're at FL370 at 52N/30W or some other random fix?This was half a quiz and half a question. I was looking over at a panel shot of a 767-200 at airliners.net and I tried counting the radios and I came up with five as well. How many planes out there have satcom for the pilots?Neil

[Guest HPSOV]

We just spoke to another aircraft on the guard (121.5) and got him to relay our positions to ATC until we were back in VHF coverage.

[Guest Ian_Riddell]

"How many planes out there have satcom for the pilots?"327.5, at last count :-hahBy planes, Neil, I'm not sure if you meant the number of aircraft in the world, the type of aircraft, or... ?All our 747-400's (bar one, I think), have Satcom for the pilots. They seem to be a popular option on 747-400's and 777's. The Audio Selector Panels on these aircraft have buttons to accommodate Satcom, but some have INOP stickers on the buttons, indicating that the option is not fitted. I'd say most aircraft which have Satcom voice antennae would have Satcom for the pilots. Satcom is very handy, both for voice and data transmission. HF systems are a real pain at best.Satcom allows you to dial specific phone numbers rather than channels (although, in normal circumstances, the numbers are speed dialled/preprogrammed). However, if you knew what you were doing, you could probably call your local pizza parlour.Satcom voice antenna are usually easy to pick. Some look like a single hump on top of the fuselage. Others are flat and rectangular and sit on either side of the rear fuselage (i.e. a pair). On a 744 with the latter installation, they appear above the doors L4 & R 4.http://members.ozemail.com.au/~b744er/767/SatcomAntenna2.jpgCheers.Ian.

[Guest Martin]

>However, if you knew what you were doing, you could probably call >your local pizza parlour. ... and order a pizza (better make that two) to "50 North, 40 West, flight level 350". :-hahMartin767 fetishistIt's a lot like life and that's what's appealing