The Cap'n & the Controller—Part I

#blog #avgeek #aviation #ATC

ATC Controller Brian jumpseats with Cap'n Aux!

Recently, blog buddy Brian Bond contacted me via my Cap'n Aux Facebook page (facebook.com/CapnAux). To my surprise, it turns out that Brian is not only an FAA Air Traffic Controller, but one based in my home town of Phoenix. He works at the PHX TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility—see Wiki, below.)

Never one to pass up a golden opportunity, I immediately suggested we trade tours of each other's jobs. Brian readily agreed.

Our planned adventure was twofold:
First, Brian applied to the FAA for special authorization to take a "familiarization" ride on my cockpit jumpseat during a live flight.

Second, I would tour his ATC facility, located at the heart of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Bonus: also co-located with his TRACON facility happens to be the Tower itself, which I also hoped to tour.

But more about that next week . . .

It took about a month for the "special authorization" to wind its way through the labyrinth of FAA red tape, but it finally came back approved!

We picked a flight from KPHX to KSEA (Seattle-Tacoma Airport, also known as "Sea-Tac"). Conveniently, it was a "turn"—that is, I was scheduled to fly up to SEA, turn right around and fly back. That way, Brian could jumpseat back home with us as well.

Before our flight, Brian met me for a quick tour of our pilot lounge in Phoenix. Then we headed off to the plane.
Meanwhile, over on my Cap'n Aux Facebook page, things started  buzzing.

Determined to tag along with us, the blog peeps held a flight tracking party. We even had several cyber-celebrities chime in, including Dave in the UK and Julie T.—"Miss TWA", at misstwa.blogspot.com! And, boy, did they cyber-party!

 

While perhaps nowhere near the epic proportions of the 787 Dreamliner's maiden flight on September 17— the "Flight Tracked 'Round the World"—our flight trackers really made our trip special.

Way to go, guys and gals, YOU ROCK!!

Dave from the UK shows off his tracking prowess...and his feet!

(Note: I do NOT represent any airline on this blog; hence the airline names are deleted from all photos. But you're a smart cookie. If you want, you can figure out what airline owns the call sign Cactus, with the flight designators AWE 75 & 18!)

During our turn, several blog followers posted flight track screen shots, updates and comments. Bill K. in LAS was my designated "Voice of Cap'n Aux," and posted "PA's" on my behalf of our flight's progress!

And speaking of voice, several trackers listened in to our radio calls on liveatc.net!

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Heads-up! Here comes our plane, inbound to PHX!

We arrived at our gate a tad early; our plane hadn't arrived yet from DCA. To my surprise, our A321 flight to Seattle and back would be used to train several brand spankin' new flight attendants. So, instead of the usual four, we had a total of eight! With this many aboard, ol' Cap'n Aux was feeling like an A380 Cap'n!

It's a gaggle of groupies lined up to get Cap'n Aux's autograph!
Oh, wait, it's just our flight attendants!

During our wait, I got to schmooze with some of our fine passengers—one of my favorite parts of the job!

I gave my new buddy Tyler a pair of wings.
One set of plastic wings: 25¢. Memory: Priceless!
Oh, and his reply? "Thanks for not crashing the plane!"

The flight pulled in on time, and deplaned. Now it was our turn.

FO Scott was an excellent tour guide for our guest!

I took care of the paperwork while FO Scott escorted Brian on his "walk-around," inspecting the exterior for safety issues, as we do on every flight.

On the FB page, things started heating up. "Cap'n Bill" posted his first PA:

Back at the ship, boarding started. Everything was looking like a GO. Then we "mechanicaled!"

Yep, our anticipated on-time push was delayed due to a . . . 

Toilet seat!

What can ya do?!

All parts of an airliner must be accounted for, even toilet seats. Some non-safety related items can be MEL'd (Minimum Equipment List—deferred for repair at a later date.) But that would mean closing off the First Class lav.

I made the command decision: "No way, Jose!"

Mechanics quickly replaced the errant seat, and we shoved off none the worse for wear, a few minutes tardy. But it was enough to start wisecracks a crackin' over at FB!

Ya, ya, everyone's a critic! 

"Is Cap'n Daddy ever gonna launch, Arwen?"
"I dunno, Tarzan. He's such a perfectionist!"

Here's one of the coolest parts of our story:

Justin L., who lives smack dab underneath our departure track (SILO 3 departure), stepped out to his back yard . . . and took our photo as we passed overhead—HOW COOL IS THAT!

Thank you, Justin! I'm gonna have to get that pic framed!

 

Above L: I got to meet Justin earlier this year! R: See, we just flew over him—great job, Justin!

Let's let those FB wiseacres help me tell the rest of our story:

Passing Mt. Rainier on the arrival.

One last shot of Rainier.

 

On the left downwind leg to KSEA, landing Rwy 16R.

Have you ever heard of the "$100 hamburger?" That's what GA pilots like to do: fly somewhere, and have a burger! Factoring in the cost of the flight, said burger cost much, much more...but you get the point!

 

Well, between flights, we treated ourselves to a "$100 seafood chowder" at Ivar's, Seattle Airport food court! If you ever pass through Sea-Tac, don't miss it! (actual price: $5-7!)

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Our return flight, Cactus 18, in photos:

 

 Weather's movin' in, taking the scenic route!

 Made it!

What a trip!

Congrats , Brian, on your jumpseat adventure! Of course, your prize is a copy of my 2nd novel!

And Congrats to our newest Flight Attendants!

Eh...but get outta my SEAT!

Brian, Scott, the Facebook wiseacres and I all had a fantastic time!

But for FO Scott and I, our SEA turn was only the kickoff to a 4-day flight sequence. From there, we flew out to DFW. Coincidentally, on Day 2 of this trip, I got to meet an aviation hero of mine,  fellow pilot-blogger JD Campbell.

I posted this earlier, but here's my vlog about it again!

 
Direct Link: http://youtu.be/rM1-IuSUNPg

Speaking of which, just last week I got to meet one of our flight trackers, David McD & his family!:

PS—

Check out Miss TWA's "Sister" Post at:

http://misstwa.blogspot.com/2013/09/cappys-lates-posttitled-capn-and.html

SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK FOR PART TWO OF OUR ADVENTURE!

Related Cap'n Aux Posts

• The Cap'n & Controller, Part II: http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-capn-controllerpart-ii.html
• Around the World in 80 Jumpseats: http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2013/06/around-world-in-80-jumpseats-surprise.html
• Best Office View, Part 2: http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-best-office-viewpart-2-vlog.html
• Saying Thanks in 10 Languages: http://capnaux.blogspot.com/2013/03/interlude-saying-thanks-in-10-languages.html

Related Links

• ATC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_traffic_control
• TRACON: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/tracon/
• Jumpseat: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_seat
• Flights for Life: http://www.flightsforlife.org
• Pilots 'n Paws: http://pilotsnpaws.org

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LINED UP & WAITING

Departing Wednesday, September 25 @ 11:00 PHX

The Cap'n & the Controller—Part II

Cap'n Aux visits PHX TRACON & Tower!

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HOLDING SHORT

Departing Sunday, September  29

Blogging in Formation Week!

Posts all week beginning Monday

October's Topic: My Best Instructional Moments!

Cap'n Aux post: ,  Tues, Oct 1 @ 00:30 PHX

Sun 29th: House of Rapp - Ron Rapp 
Mon 30th: iFLYblog - Brent Owens 
Tues Oct 1: Adventures of Cap’n Aux - Eric Auxier
Wed Oct 2: Flight to Success - Karlene Petitt 
Thu Oct 3: Smart Flight Training - Andrew Hartley

Fri Oct 4: Airplanista - Dan Pimentel 

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TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF

Departing October 9

These are a Few of my Fa-vorite (Aviation) Bloggers!

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I post on FB (http://www.facebook.com/CapnAux) & Tweet (@capnaux) almost every day!

Y'TUBE http://www.youtube.com/user/capnauxblog AMAZON http://goo.gl/yVHJV  

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