What is it like?
 

I am just a student going to flight school, and I only fly a little Cessna 172 right now, but dream of someday flying a 747, or a big Airbus. I assume many students have these same desires, and I just wanted to know what it is like. For you pilots who fly these large planes, when you are taking off, or coming in to land, how do you feel? Even taking off and landing in the Cessna is still exhilerating, and I can't even imagine what it would be like in a 747. I am just a bit curious, and hope to find out for myself someday.

The 747 is a pig. Cool, but a big lumbering pig. They probably won't have any left when you're ready to fly them. Everyone is dumping them for more economical planes. But flying airliners is cool. I love flying them. I just landed a 757-300 this morning in a crosswind. I greased it in (not trying to brag:D ). The takeoff last weekend in a 767-200 that was light was fun too. Lots of power and a great climb. Flying a complex aircraft on a complex arrival or departure is fun. Add wind, weather, mountains, etc and that just makes it more interesting. Just like in a 172, you feel good when you do a job well done.

I fly the DC-10...It's like dancing with a really cool fat chick...Just hang on when you dip her and don't let her get away from what you want to do with her...Because she will get away fast!...Really it's a blast to fly the big iron...I think taxi'n the beast is even a bigger blast!...But it's been so long since I taxied a C172 and I would think that would be fun too!

That is so funny!!!!!!I am laughing so hard!!!!:D

This is actually a good thread. I always thought of it as well. On a windy day when its gusting I get a slow climb out of the 150/172, but when I visit the airport and see the airliners take off its just a blast. I'd love to be in one of those jets just for the rotation!

Nicely written post HeavyDriver!

Well said Otto. :) A job well done feels good no matter what you're flying.

I have to admit that I'm not even close to being a pilot, but I've flown on my share of 747's, and I've always thought the same thing when we take off...."Can this big ole weighty girl get up and get me to where I'm going?" She's never disappointed me....just curious, why do you suppose you pilots always refer to the birds you fly as girls?...I'm a sea-going kind of gal, and it's the same with boats. I've always wondered though where that tradition started.

I don't exactly fly a big airliner, but I can definitely say I know that feeling you get. Everytime I fly a larger airplane, there's an interesting feeling of excitement with a little anxiety mixed in. I know I'm capable of handling the airplane, but it is still exciting. The first time I flew a Tiger (my first airplane), it was exhilarating. I got the same feeling the first time I flew a Cessna 310, King air 90, and now the King Air 350. As I get the power up to takeoff setting, usually about the 80 knot crosscheck, I get this anxious feeling with a lot of excitement because I'm hurtling down the runway at a high rate of speed. I must say, it is the same feeling regardless of the airplane (so far), you are just playing with bigger numbers.

Yesterday, in the 757-300 (260,000lbs) out of Vegas, my rotation speed was 169 kts. I was thinking to myself, "dang, that is fast for Vr."

Rotation in the 757-300 and 767-400 is fun, but you really have to watch the tail. You don't want a tail strike. I think it's about 7.5 degrees when you hit. I try to stay 5 and under. I hold it at about 5 until we climb some and then pull up into the flight director. If I get near the pitch limit a "pitch report" prints out in the cockpit. The plane "tells" on you to the company if you exceed any limits. The 757-200 and 767-200 are much better when it comes to rotating. If you like cool rotations and climbs, try the F-15.