Mon, Mar 03, 2008
B777 Flyby Draws Condemnation... But Was Witnessed From Cockpit
By CP Chairman
The details surrounding the
termination of an experienced pilot for an impromptu fly-by are
getting a mite more intriguing. Following the acceptance of a new
B777 for Cathay Pacific Airlines, details have recently
emerged confirming that the PIC had high-level company
along who (one assumes) could have stopped the fly-by at any time
had he wanted... since he was in the cockpit.
Christopher Pratt CBE, chairman of Hong Kong-based Cathay
Pacific, is now widely reported to have been IN THE COCKPIT,
sitting in a jump seat right behind pilot Ian Wilkinson when he
performed the fly-by on the plane's January 31st maiden flight out
of Seattle.
ANN reported that veteran pilot Ian Wilkinson was piloting a new
Boeing 777-300ER from Paine Field, near Boeing's plant at Everett,
Washington, to its new home in Hong Kong when he reportedly came
around and did a low pass. Witnesses (and video) confirm that
the new Cathay Pacific wide-body airliner overflew the runway at
just 28 feet, gear up, at around 275 knots. Cathay Pacific's
Director Of Engineering, Christopher Gibbs, is also reported to
have been in a jump seat in the cockpit at the time of the fly-by.
Media reports form the UK confirm that neither company official
complained at the time of the flight and industry reports allege
that both were "amused" at the event -- at the time.
Still; Wilkinson -- 55 years old and nearing retirement -- was
fired by the airline -- reportedly for doing the stunt without
company approval and despite reports of other such maneuvers by
other pilots... though none of them were as well-witnessed as this
particular flight. The case became controversial with industry
bloggers, who note that the practice is certainly not uncommon, and
reported that 30 company VIPs were onboard, including the company
chairman. Also; Wilkinson reportedly did get approval for the
fly-by from the Paine tower.
Despite the fact that Cathay Pacific big-wigs toasted Wilkinson
when he reached Hong Kong following the flight last month, their
attitude changed when video of the fly-by wound up on YouTube. That
video is rumored to have been purchased by the airline from its
owner, resulting in its prompt removal from the web. Wilkinson is
reportedly considering an appeal.
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