Right....

[ACA857]

Once again, I am fortunate enough to have been transported over the pond in my favourite flying machine. I am even more blessed as I am spending time with family that I miss dearly. Although the pond is only a 7 hour flight, it is a world away which becomes noticeable the moment one breaks through the overcast at 2000ft on the approach for 27L at EGLL. The amber street lamps and traffic flowing on the left side immediately lets me know the pilot has navigated correctly. The rows of terraced houses, an impossibly complex maize of streets, the Battersea power station, the jam on the M25 'clockwise' ...immediately sends me into a nostalgic haize that will only get stronger as my travels continue. I get a warm fuzzy in my extended gut that tells me I am back from where I came many years ago. I have a love/hate relationship with the old place that can bring out strange and powerful emotions. I will save you my version of a Bill Bryson book for now and tell you that all is Great in Britain....with the exception of the weather and the traffic on the M6 north of Birmingham. We had a nice trip up to Liverpool, nobody got hurt...in fact the place has improved dramatically since my last visit. Back in Walton-on-Thames now and about to go shopping on a rainy, foggy day. Ok, more on that another time, this is the 767 forum, right...ACA862 B767-300 Fin 661 Dec.25 (Departure 2225 local)I wrote a letter to the flight deck en route and the First officer was kind enough to come out and discretely meet me and discuss the CV of the flight: Gross Takeoff weight = 152,700kgBlock fuel = 38,600kgPlanned landing weight = 126,200kg (you can figure out the burn off)Runway 24R LEST7 J594 MSS J586 NAPEE DCT YJN DCT N4670W DCT MILLS N113B NATW BURAK UL9 (slight confusion here with the FO I think) NIGIT OCK1F EGLL - landed 27L at EGLL, no hold.Cost index used during the NAT, the FO said it was mostly Mach .80We climbed to FL330 until we hit RVSM/NAT space (well east of YSJ) then it was FL350 all the way until TOD northwest of Bristol. Speed brakes were used for about the first 5 minutes of the descent.The actual plan was extremely close to the UV flight plan I had created befoe I left for the airport. DEST EGLL = 6:20RESV = 30 minsALTN = 37 mins (The FO could not remember whic airport it was:-)HOLD = 20 minsATC/Extra = 30 mins / 1.5TDerate 45C, OAT -1CTAI/Wing AI = OFFCLB thrust used for entire climbFlap 5 takeoffV1 = 150, VR = 154, V2 = 160Cost index = 70Once again my connection at Air Canada came through with an upgade to Exec-First. Who knows when I will be in a 767 again, let alone in First so I am extremely lucky...here are a couple shotsFirst is my seat, it was a single by the window, she sat in the centre by herself as I was 'busy'...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/55020.jpg

[ACA857]

Another shot with my meal and progress page on the personal display...I have died and gone to hog heaven at this point...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/55021.jpg

[ACA857]

My favourite site in the world...almost...the view from seat 6K on a 767 over the coast of Ireland at sunrise....gotta go to the shops now, and then back to see my new freinds at the local pub...more later.Rob.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/55022.jpg

[ACA857]

Ok...one more...I was completely fixated on the in flight progress display on the PVD...I watched a couple bits of movies but otherwise monitored the flight progress for 6 hours noting winds, ground speed, path, etc. The flight crew thought I was a little strange to say the least...all in a days work in the life of a PIC head I suppose.Raining now, off to get wet.TTFN.Rob.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/55028.jpg

[Guest Lenny Zaman]

nice report, you lucky man... :)Cheers(and next time, don't run me over in the hunt for mr. Claus)

[Guest BillVC]

Good post Robert!Now what of the return flight? I hear it is going to be plastic. heheAre the pubs stocking your favourite ale? Is it Tetley's or John Smith? Do they have gin?

[DShutt]

God bless you Robert Hall.BTW, you missed an hilarious foot-in-mouth moment yesterday between myself, Elchitz and an OAK_V_CTR controller. Long story short, good thing the controller had a sense of humour or I would have been booted for life.Amazing how much damage one can do when you mistype "msg swa301 this guy is a #$%^&*! doofus..." and forget the period BEFORE msg!We miss you darling. Come home safe.Daryl ShuttleworthDS 3339http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

[ACA857]

Not sure what happened, but I replied earlier and it was lost...Bill...yes the pubs are well stocked with all your favourites and the prices are inflated fro your convenience.Was in a pub today built in 1540 that Lord Nelson would stay in on his way from London to Portsmouth (on the A3 north of Guilford). They have built a lovely new Boots shop next door to this historical pub...shame on them, barstads.Been out shoping mostly today, off for an Indian nosh-up at a currie house that I am told will burn my bum, then back to the local to put out the flames with a few pints. I have found some new beer/ales that are very good, Tetley's and John Smith's are considered crap and only for the bloody tourists around here.Tomorrow we are off to Brooklands museum (huge aviation history, I think they re-built the Comet's there after they fell out of the sky a few times), there is a VC-10 in pieces there as well I think..and then a visit to the aviation school (my sister works at Brooklands College)....then more shopping followed by fish and chips and more pints. Looking forward to getting home for a rest.The flight home is not very exciting...an A330 from EGLL-CYUL then an A321 CYUL-CYYZ. I will likely not send any love letters to the flight deck. It will be economy class on the way home, always hard to mingle with the steerage class after being in the palace up front.Off now.PS - TO a certain ex-EGLL controller -you know who you are- who was very kind in helping me in my moment of need..who has likely given up all hope of seeing anything from me...the postman will have something for you when I get back, honest..yes, I know you have heard this before...but I was thinking if there is something I could pick up for you and bring back, I would be more than happy to do that, least I can do.Rob.Here is another - the after dinner cheese tray, Port, and wine...burp...get a bucket. I miss my cats and the PIC767.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/55127.jpg

[Dean_EGTC]

:message to self:Must show 856 how to resize digital camera images for web posts :(Liking the weather Rob? We might even have some snow for you before you venture back :)

[ACA857]

Snow...what's that...we never have snow in Canada.The weather is just how I remember it :-)Just had the best currie ever...and the East Indian waiter with the cockney accent was a treat for us tourist types.Off to the the 'setee' now to play a game of sit and veg, watch a Cagney and Lacey repeat...quality stuff.Rob.

[Guest Mark McG]

Rob,the diversion airport was EGCC - hence the 37mins flying time.EGKK and EGSS are closer to EGLL, but ACA tend to use the places they fly to for diversion airports.Glasgow is officially the Curry Capital of the UK, having won this prestigious title for the past 2 years running - we also have the largest Indian Restaurant in Europe.Did you get lounge access?

[Guest Haroon]

Yeah thats true regarding ACA. Those guys flying really don't care... Mark I think we know more airport ICAOs then pilots do :-lolWRT Glasgow: I didn't know that. hhhmmm I'll have to bug my guide for a visit to Glasgow.Best,Haroon

[Guest Haroon]

Exciting Trip Rob :-) Imagine how I was when the A310 F/O invited me to sit in the Flight Deck for awhile.Must be fun visiting old places and people. :-) I

[ACA857]

Mark - unfortunately, no lounge access at CYYZ this time, we did not get our seats changed until we got to the gate. EGCC makes sense for the alternate, although I have a few plans at home that call for EGPF as the alternate on the London hops...ACA does not fly to Manchester this time of year....strange, but 37 mins to EGCC makes sense.Haroon - no worries on the A310 air file stuff...I have put the A310 in the hangar for now until it is sorted out. Let us know when you plan to be heading back to Canada.Off to Brooklands now to look at the VC-10 and whatever else is hiding there, then more shopping. Anyone know where the best/cheapest place to buy a bottle of Remy Martin VSOP is? It is the agreed price for our upgrade :-)Rob.

[Guest Mark McG]

Yep,Glasgow and Manchester are the 2 designated company alternates for ACA flights to London.REMY MARTIN VSOP Get this at Duty Free EGLL.Haroon,Emirates start DXB-GLA in April using an A330.