Well, to put it simply, on long-haul flights lasting over 8hrs, we have a thing called "Augmented Crew" which basically means we get an extra F/O up front. This entitles us to fly up to 12hrs flying non-stop. After that we need a relief crew which is basically another pair of Capt and F/O. At EIN we have augmented crews on our ORD and MCO routes. Personally I love augmented crew flights. It feels so much more natural having 3 crew members on the flight deck during the takeoff and landing phases of flight, a bit of a throw back to the days of the F/E. Much nicer on the takeoff to be able to concentrate on the runway ahead, have one member concentrate on the engine parameters and one concentrate on the speed. I'm sure any pilot who flies augmented crew will agreee with me on those points. Well you heard wrong my friend, we don't play chess or anything that takes our attention away significantly from the flight at hand. We don't look at films, per-say. We are allowed a 30 min "Relief Break" in which the flying duties are all handed over to the other crew member and we are free to; Sit in the cabin, stroll about, do the crossword, catch 40 winks, chat with the CC or eat your crew meal. This break must last no longer than 30 mins and the purser must be informed. This break can be taken on any flight during the cruise period if so desired. It is in fact encouraged to catch 40 winks sleep if you feel fatigued. If you wish to view a film during this 30 min period you are free to do so but I certainly wouldn't bother, and I don't think many would. Hope that helps,Rónán.

Brilliant, just what I was looking for, thanks a million again Rónán, your insights and information are very appreciated on our part.Happy Landings,Niall.

deleted (already posted above)

Johan, Don't forget that any flight longer than ...a certain duration (it's 9 hours for Air France but I don't know if this is a company rule or an international aviation rule) rates a crew of three (one captain and two FOs). Which means that it is perfectly possible (and in fact recommended) that one of the 3 pilots is sleeping in the crew rest compartment as long as the plane is above 20 000 FT (it is mandatory to have the full crew in the cockpit below this altitude). As for the two pilots on duty, my guess is 99% of the time, they sit at the controls doing the tasks you described. Bruno

Just FYI, it's below 10,000' that the sterile cockpit rule comes into effect but apart from that there's no onus on the extra crew member to be on the flight deck even for the takeoff, it isn't mandatory to be there. It is mandatory to have at least on seat in the cabin for that crew member though. It's just out of manners and good airmanship that they are there for most takeoffs and landings. Oh, and we don't have crew rest compartments, they're only for the big fancy airliners, we get a seat in economy, and If we're lucky in business....

Brilliant, just what I was looking for, thanks a million again Rónán, your insights and information are very appreciated on our part.Happy Landings,Niall.

No bother, glad I could help.

Just FYI, it's below 10,000' that the sterile cockpit rule comes into effect but apart from that there's no onus on the extra crew member to be on the flight deck even for the takeoff, it isn't mandatory to be there. It is mandatory to have at least on seat in the cabin for that crew member though. It's just out of manners and good airmanship that they are there for most takeoffs and landings.

Thanks Rónán,I thought sterile cockpit just meant " conversations only on topics relative to the flight" (in my broken English but I am sure you understand).As far, as the full crew presence beeing mandatory in the cockpit below 20,000 ft, I think (but not 100% sure) that it is a rule for at least one specific company. I know a couple of guys I can check with.Thanks again for all these informations,Bruno

Thanks Rónán,I thought sterile cockpit just meant " conversations only on topics relative to the flight" (in my broken English but I am sure you understand).As far, as the full crew presence beeing mandatory in the cockpit below 20,000 ft, I think (but not 100% sure) that it is a rule for at least one specific company. I know a couple of guys I can check with.Thanks again for all these informations,Bruno

May well be a company mandated SOP, but it's not leagally required for the masses, I'll ask around and see if I can get a better picture for you whenever I meet up with some other long haul crews at work. And sterile cockpit does mean only talking about flight related topics below 10,000, I just thought you were mixing the two up, so apologies there on my part. R.

May well be a company mandated SOP, but it's not leagally required for the masses, I'll ask around and see if I can get a better picture for you whenever I meet up with some other long haul crews at work. And sterile cockpit does mean only talking about flight related topics below 10,000, I just thought you were mixing the two up, so apologies there on my part. R.

What I found in the meantime is that the captain can delegate his mission to one of the FOs (provided the FO has the right qualifications, training etc.) only above FL200 (Règlement N° 859/2008 de la commission Européenne du 20 août 2008 dit EU-OPS appendice 1 à l’OPS 1.940, quoted in a recent accident report....). As mentioned above, I am not sure about the rest (full crew in the cockpit below FL200) and will need to check with my AF buddies whenever I see them at the club (I don't know why but these guys always seem to be in the other hemisphere when we have a question for them). Bruno

(Règlement N° 859/2008 de la commission Européenne du 20 août 2008 dit EU-OPS appendice 1 à l’OPS 1.940,

Oh lord, I tried to look that up but I don't speak french, total gibberish to me....

Oh lord, I tried to look that up but I don't speak french, total gibberish to me....

Since it is an EC rule or regulation, I am sure it is also available in English. I guess you probably use other rules (company or other organization) that say the same thing.BrunoPS : I was about to add that French is very easy and that, over here, even young kids can read it but it's probably getting too late for this kind of corny joke.

Irish is very easy to speak too, kids can even speak it, try this on for size; And I'll try out the IAA tomorrow to see if they mention anything... "Is é an tAire Iompair a cheapann Bord IAA agus bíonn ochtar Stiúrthóirí neamhfheidhmeacha, lena n-áirítear an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach Anne Nolan agus Príomhfheidheannach Eamonn Breannan.Oibríonn na 650 fostaí (Rialaitheoirí Aer-Thráchta, Innealtóirí, Oifigigh Raidió. Teagascóirí, Cúntóirí Sonraí, Rialálaithe Sábháilteachta agus foireann Riaracháin) laistigh de shé Rannóg – gach ceann acu faoi bhainistíocht Stiúrthóir Feidhmeach.Le chéile cinntíonn siad go gcomhlíonann an tÚdarás an ráiteas misin atá aige:‘Tá Bord agus foireann Údarás Eitlíochta na hÉireann tiomanta rialáil sábháilteachta éifeachtach agus costas-éifeachach ar an tionscal eitlíochta in Éirinn a sholáthar agus seirbhísí aerloingseoireachta sábháilte, éifeachtacha agus costas-éifeachtacha a dhéanann freastal ar riachtanais ár gcuid custaiméirí a sholáthar ar bhonn folláin tráchtála. Tá sé d’aidhm ag an Údarás a bheith mar cheannródaí domhanda ina réimse’"

Irish is very easy to speak too, kids can even speak it, try this on for size; And I'll try out the IAA tomorrow to see if they mention anything... "Is é an tAire Iompair a cheapann Bord IAA agus bíonn ochtar Stiúrthóirí neamhfheidhmeacha, lena n-áirítear an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach Anne Nolan agus Príomhfheidheannach Eamonn Breannan.Oibríonn na 650 fostaí (Rialaitheoirí Aer-Thráchta, Innealtóirí, Oifigigh Raidió. Teagascóirí, Cúntóirí Sonraí, Rialálaithe Sábháilteachta agus foireann Riaracháin) laistigh de shé Rannóg – gach ceann acu faoi bhainistíocht Stiúrthóir Feidhmeach.Le chéile cinntíonn siad go gcomhlíonann an tÚdarás an ráiteas misin atá aige:‘Tá Bord agus foireann Údarás Eitlíochta na hÉireann tiomanta rialáil sábháilteachta éifeachtach agus costas-éifeachach ar an tionscal eitlíochta in Éirinn a sholáthar agus seirbhísí aerloingseoireachta sábháilte, éifeachtacha agus costas-éifeachtacha a dhéanann freastal ar riachtanais ár gcuid custaiméirí a sholáthar ar bhonn folláin tráchtála. Tá sé d’aidhm ag an Údarás a bheith mar cheannródaí domhanda ina réimse’"

OK, thanks. I see I think it's bedtime for me now !I am afraid we've stolen the thread but, again, thanks very much for all these informations (at least those that are in English...).Bruno

Simulate what it feels like for a 10+ hr flight just like the real pilots do (without the freedom of leaving your room).

Ah, when a 737 flies over my golf course (Eisenhower Park in Long Island going to JFK) 1500 feet, I hardly notice it. When a 747 or 777 flies by - I drop my putter and stare at it with my mouth open.

I like long hauls too and until recently was flying "by the books" with no time acceleration, but did take breaks whilst at cruising altitude, coming back for step climbs, fuel checks and looks out of the cockpit window to admire what is mostly a bland panorama with a few exceptions... until I realised it was crazy to throw away 6KW of electricity for the sake of a stupid "as real it gets" feeling! So came the time acceleration: I save energy and, like before, I still enjoy my planning, taxiing, climb, approach and landing, which is what flying is all about after all. I wish I could have done that too in real world flights...!

Why does anyone drive a Ferrari outside Germany? Only Germany have free speed. Little like this with 747. But everyone is different. I love 747, but if there was only 747 out there it wouldn't be fun.