GLA-SYY-GLA (Jump Seat)

Afternoon all,

This is my first attempt at a quick trip report from a flight this morning so any nudges in the right direction would be great. Also apologies for the quality of the photographs, I was using the other half’s point and shoot Nikon Coolpix 🙂

Date: 18 Feb 09
Route: Glasgow – Stornoway – Glasgow
Airline: Flybe (Loganair)
Type: Saab 340B

With security being tightened around the aviation industry, its not very often one gets the opportunity to fly in the jump seat. So when an offer like this came along, I grabbed it with both hands and ran for the hills!

My day started at 0545 when I parked the car up at the airport short stay car park and made my way into the terminal building where I met my host and Captain for the day. As I had been booked on as staff, I didn’t have to worry about checking in and so we proceeded straight to the security area. The main terminal and security area has undergone a massive upgrade in the last few months but as I was being fast tracked with the rest of the crew, I couldn’t get a good look at the new look facilities.

Once through security, we went along to the Loganair crew briefing facility where we met with the rest of the crew. Loganair operates a two man flight deck crew with one steward or stewardess looking after the pax in the cabin. After the pre-flight brief and a quick check of the NOTAM’s and flight plan, we made our way out to the aircraft, G-LGNB.

November Bravo, our aircraft for the day taken at a sunny Manchester

November Bravo first took to the sky in 1990 and prior to joining the Loganair fleet, flew with Mesaba/Northwest Airlines in the USA as N595MA. It was delivered to Loganair in 1999 and painted into British Airways colours under a franchise agreement starting back in 1994. In 2008, Loganair changed its franchise partner to Flybe and as such, this aircraft now wears full flybe colours.

Pushing back on time at 0700, we made our way to runway 23 where we had a short two minute hold for wake turbulence separation on a departing BA Avro RJ100. At 0709 we lined up on the runway and the pilot in command pushed forward the throttles released the brakes. When the desired take off speed of 110 knots was reached the co-pilot called rotate and once in the positive climb, called for gear up.

We initially climbed to 6500 ft when we were passed over to Scottish Centre who allowed us a further climb to our cruising altitude of 14,500 ft and a direct track to Stornoway. Almost as quick as we were settled in the cruise at around 260 knots, it was time to start our descent. After our initial let down with Scottish, we were handed over to Stornoway radar who informed us of the runway in use and offered us a our of approach. As we were below cloud and visual with the airfield, the crew plumped for a visual approach to runway 18. At 0757 and ahead of schedule we touched down at a rather wet Stornoway and made our way to the small but adequate terminal facility where our 19 pax disembarked.

Approach and landing at Stornoway

While waiting for our 20 pax returning to Glasgow, we completed a pre-flight walk around of the aircraft checking the undercarriage, fluids and wing area before returning to the flight deck to complete pre-start checks. At 0825, we were on our way again heading for runway 18 and again had to hold for a company 340 inbound from Edinburgh. By 0835 I heard that familiar term “rotate” and we were soon on our way back to base. A climb to 3500 ft followed by a handover to Scottish and further climb to 13,500 ft kept as above the clouds and bad weather ensuring a comfortable flight for the pax and little chance of us spilling our coffee and dropping Danish pastries!

In the cruise

By 0916 we were well into our descent and were now under the control of Glasgow radar. Due to unserviceability of the ILS, we were asked to fly a VOR-DME approach to runway 23. Once with tower, our landing clearance was delayed due to the late exit of a German Cessna so the crew quickly briefed the go-around procedures to cover all eventualities. At 0923 we were back on the ground at Glasgow and heading for stand 2, back in time for tea and medals 🙂

Approach to Glasgow

Video of landing at Glasgow