The Delta "wind check"
10-10-2009, 01:29 PM
#31
Da Hudge
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Poodle Whisperer
Posts: 17,473
We don't set our +factor until it's bugged and we're slowing down to it for final configuration. The most up to date winds are the most accurate.. not an hour old ATIS.
And what on earth were they talking about hearing Delta calling for windcheck in ATL? I havent seen a Delta plane there in forever. Isn't that AirTran's hub?
And what on earth were they talking about hearing Delta calling for windcheck in ATL? I havent seen a Delta plane there in forever. Isn't that AirTran's hub?
10-10-2009, 01:37 PM
#32
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2009
Position: Falcon 50EX Captain
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by EagleDriver
I remember a few years ago it was somebody asking why AA pilots (not Delta) always ask for a wind check. He received the same responses. Someone automatically responded about ex-military guys being too anal. Someone else tried to explain exactly why they did it. Many reasons, some valid, some maybe not. If the original post was intended to learn technique I applaud your desire to better yourself. There are many valid reasons to ask for winds on short final.
If you don't want a wind check, don't ask for one but there's no need to ridicule someone else for asking about information over the runway of intended landing. I don't know too many areas in aviation where having too much information will hurt you. Maybe the guys who refuse to ask for wind updates think it's not macho and their coolness factor diminishes. Most of the exceptional pilots I know save the coolness test for the bar and want as much information as possible when flying. The weak pilots are the ones who think they need no help to handle it all with one eye closed, one engine out and a worthless copilot. Like Clint said, "A man's got ta know his limitations."
If you don't want a wind check, don't ask for one but there's no need to ridicule someone else for asking about information over the runway of intended landing. I don't know too many areas in aviation where having too much information will hurt you. Maybe the guys who refuse to ask for wind updates think it's not macho and their coolness factor diminishes. Most of the exceptional pilots I know save the coolness test for the bar and want as much information as possible when flying. The weak pilots are the ones who think they need no help to handle it all with one eye closed, one engine out and a worthless copilot. Like Clint said, "A man's got ta know his limitations."
10-10-2009, 01:56 PM
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Posts: 5,912
The more you fly an airplane, the more you know about it. The sooner you disconnect the A/P on arrival the sooner you will become in sync or in tune with your plane.
Come on folks you set the bug based on reported winds. But come on... how many have flown a faster speed because of unreported gust factors? Do you reset the bug, or do you just fly the jet?
At the end of the day... speed is your friend... isn't it? When approaching to land on a 10,000 foot runway, will an additional 5 knots in approach speed with a ground speed of 130 knots make a difference?
Hey... after 30+ years of doing this jet flying, I'm still trying to figure this here aviation stuff out. Get back to basics, and just fly the plane.
Come on folks you set the bug based on reported winds. But come on... how many have flown a faster speed because of unreported gust factors? Do you reset the bug, or do you just fly the jet?
At the end of the day... speed is your friend... isn't it? When approaching to land on a 10,000 foot runway, will an additional 5 knots in approach speed with a ground speed of 130 knots make a difference?
Hey... after 30+ years of doing this jet flying, I'm still trying to figure this here aviation stuff out. Get back to basics, and just fly the plane.
10-10-2009, 03:40 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,016
Yeah, but "How long is final today?" 
10-10-2009, 04:07 PM
#35
Thx Age 65
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: MD11CAP
Posts: 1,041
Every year this topic has been posted, whether on FI or any of the other forums. Its the one of the Zombies of topics, like (insert airline here) only hires Military, Cargo vs Pax, mil vs civ, Comair vs Delta, mesa sucks, National seniority list now!, Here's how to save the profession, etc.
Did I miss any?
Did I miss any?
10-10-2009, 04:11 PM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Posts: 439
Is this really being discussed again?.... Eagledriver had it right, if you don't care then don't ask. Some like to get every bit of information they can get, some like to fly more seat of their pants like captnjns with his/her 1000s of hours....I occasionally ask for winds, and when I do I know there is someone out there on frequency who is a much better pilot than I who is smirking, and I couldn't possibly care less.
10-10-2009, 06:30 PM
#37
Pura Vida
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Jorge Alfa
Posts: 198
My experience has been in ATL it is usually Delta MD-88s wind checking on final. Perhaps technology, or lack thereof, plays a role. With airplanes being cleared to land every couple of minutes, current wind information seems to be readily available without having to ask. It surely is not a military thing, perhaps with the exception of the DAL MD-88 guy in my unit:-)
10-10-2009, 06:49 PM
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 348
Originally Posted by HercAC
My experience has been in ATL it is usually Delta MD-88s wind checking on final. Perhaps technology, or lack thereof, plays a role. With airplanes being cleared to land every couple of minutes, current wind information seems to be readily available without having to ask. It surely is not a military thing, perhaps with the exception of the DAL MD-88 guy in my unit:-)
For me personally, I can pretty well tell if the winds are worth adding speed by the movement in the airspeed needle and the bumps, and don't really feel that a number is necessary. Others might be more number oriented, and that's fine too. But, I suspect that having a number glaring you in the face that is significantly different than the number tower gave you might inspire suspicion about wind shear, so by all means, ask. We know more about the winds than the airplane does in our case in the mighty Saab, so unless we are told the winds are 360 at 20 and we are crabbing 30 degrees towards the south to maintain localizer, we don't usually think anything is amiss.
I do get a little chuckle however when ATIS and tower have been saying winds are something like 6 knots, final is smooth, our heading matches the final course, and I hear someone asking for a wind check. Can't help but think "really? You can't manage this without a number?"
10-10-2009, 07:17 PM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2009
Posts: 233
Originally Posted by captjns
At the end of the day... tower winds are just that... tower winds. If one disconnects the autopilot early on during the approach/landing phase the airplane will tell your hands and feet what it needs.
While I agree with everything you wrote, being a Professional Pilot means gathering as much information as you can to help make a decision....in this case, help with your situational awareness and not be caught off guard by something. I get it, get the airplane on the ground and on centerline with whatever crab/correction it takes, but I never heard of an accident happening because Pilots had TOO MUCH information.
10-10-2009, 07:20 PM
#40
Super Moderator
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: DAL 330
Posts: 6,868
Originally Posted by SilkySmooth
OK, guys, I'm trying to be serious.
Why do Delta pilots routinely ask for a wind check? Is it a procedural requirement? Does it have to do with the particular aircraft you're flying? Perhaps some type of limitational requirement? Is it just an old military habit? The rest of us smile every time you guys as for a "wind check," but if there's a good reason, I'd be curious to hear what it is. Enlighten me!
.Why do Delta pilots routinely ask for a wind check? Is it a procedural requirement? Does it have to do with the particular aircraft you're flying? Perhaps some type of limitational requirement? Is it just an old military habit? The rest of us smile every time you guys as for a "wind check," but if there's a good reason, I'd be curious to hear what it is. Enlighten me!
As to the "Why," maybe DAL Pilots just want to bring a "smile" to our fellow pilots beaming faces. Scoop
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