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captainchris 2d • Flying for Air Lanka
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In the latter half of 1993, I took a six-month contract with Air Lanka (now SriLankan Airlines) through Parc Aviation, flying the A320.
At the time, Air Lanka had only recently introduced the A320 to their fleet and was facing a temporary shortage of experienced First Officers to support their Captains. This unique opportunity became one of the most memorable chapters of my flying career.
Living in Negombo and flying almost daily out of Colombo's Katunayake Airport (now Bandaranaike International), my experience began in an extraordinary way. I arrived late at night and was greeted by none other than the Chief Pilot, Captain Suraj Attygale, who had arranged my accommodation with four Air Canada pilots who were on furlough.
The very next morning, I was picked up, driven to the Air Lanka offices, handed a uniform, and immediately began line training. After just four sectors, I was cleared to fly the line the following day.
My time at Air Lanka took me to some wonderful and interesting destinations. We flew to various cities in India-Delhi, Madras (now Chennai), Bombay (now Mumbai), Tiruchirappalli, and Trivandrum-as well as to Bangkok, and made two to three daily trips to Male in the Maldives.
The flying was interesting with many manual NDB and VOR approaches and the scenery was breathtaking, especially the views over southern India and the Laccadive Sea en route
6On February 28 1994, I began flying for a small UK boutique airline founded by energetic adventurer and serial entrepreneur @richardbranson
Virgin Atlantic started flying in 1984 with a second-hand 747 operating a London to New York service between Gatwick and Newark. By the end of 1993 @virginatlantic had a fleet of 8 747's, 12 destinations and had signed a deal to purchase 8 new Airbus A340-300's
At the end of 1993 while flying the A320 for Air Lanka (now SriLankan), I read in Flight International magazine, that @virginatlantic were buying @airbus A340-300s I immediately "booked" a long distance phone call (no internet in those days kids) and spoke directly with the Chief Pilot of Virgin Atlantic. I explained that I considered myself qualified to fly the A340 with my 5 years of Airbus A320 experience.
The Airbus was still a new aircraft and not many pilots in Europe outside Air France, British Airways or Lufthansa, had my Airbus experience in the early 90's. I had flown the A320 with launch customer Ansett Airlines Australia in 1989, then Eurocypria from 1991 to 1993 and Air Lanka before my Virgin Atlantic career began.
Ground school and simulator training was completed at a newly opened Airbus Training facility in Miami, FL. I spent a memorable 8 weeks with three career and lifelong friends Paul L, Chris B, and Robbie B. We then spent most of the 90's flying to Hong Kong and Narita, Tokyo before
6Before I knew it, I was ushered into the small, fascinating room at the front of this impressive jet, surrounded by an array of dials, switches, and controls. The Captain, noticing my wide-eyed wonder, asked my dad if I'd like to stay in the cockpit for takeoff. Moments later, I found myself strapped into the jump seat by the Flight Engineer, my heart racing with excitement.
I was both stunned and overwhelmed as I watched the crew go through their briefings, checklists, and procedures, all to prepare this magnificent jet for departure. When we finally reached the runway, the Captain turned around with a grin and said, "Hold on!" The Flight Engineer assisted the Captain with the thrust levers, and the noise was incredible.
As we gained speed, the roar of the engines faded, replaced by the increasing sound of rushing air as we accelerated down the runway.
Once airborne, with the checklists completed, the Captain, First Officer, and Engineer all turned to me with
6
154 V 37
captainchris 2d • Flying for Air Lanka
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W
In the latter half of 1993, I took a six-month contract with Air Lanka (now SriLankan Airlines) through Parc Aviation, flying the A320.
At the time, Air Lanka had only recently introduced the A320 to their fleet and was facing a temporary shortage of experienced First Officers to support their Captains. This unique opportunity became one of the most memorable chapters of my flying career.
Living in Negombo and flying almost daily out of Colombo's Katunayake Airport (now Bandaranaike International), my experience began in an extraordinary way. I arrived late at night and was greeted by none other than the Chief Pilot, Captain Suraj Attygale, who had arranged my accommodation with four Air Canada pilots who were on furlough.
The very next morning, I was picked up, driven to the Air Lanka offices, handed a uniform, and immediately began line training. After just four sectors, I was cleared to fly the line the following day.
My time at Air Lanka took me to some wonderful and interesting destinations. We flew to various cities in India-Delhi, Madras (now Chennai), Bombay (now Mumbai), Tiruchirappalli, and Trivandrum-as well as to Bangkok, and made two to three daily trips to Male in the Maldives.
The flying was interesting with many manual NDB and VOR approaches and the scenery was breathtaking, especially the views over southern India and the Laccadive Sea en route
2 years ago
years ago, today.
On February 28 1994, I began flying for a small UK boutique airline founded by energetic adventurer and serial entrepreneur @richardbranson
Virgin Atlantic started flying in 1984 with a second-hand 747 operating a London to New York service between Gatwick and Newark. By the end of 1993 @virginatlantic had a fleet of 8 747's, 12 destinations and had signed a deal to purchase 8 new Airbus A340-300's
At the end of 1993 while flying the A320 for Air Lanka (now SriLankan), I read in Flight International magazine, that @virginatlantic were buying @airbus A340-300s I immediately "booked" a long distance phone call (no internet in those days kids) and spoke directly with the Chief Pilot of Virgin Atlantic. I explained that I considered myself qualified to fly the A340 with my 5 years of Airbus A320 experience.
The Airbus was still a new aircraft and not many pilots in Europe outside Air France, British Airways or Lufthansa, had my Airbus experience in the early 90's. I had flown the A320 with launch customer Ansett Airlines Australia in 1989, then Eurocypria from 1991 to 1993 and Air Lanka before my Virgin Atlantic career began.
Ground school and simulator training was completed at a newly opened Airbus Training facility in Miami, FL. I spent a memorable 8 weeks with three career and lifelong friends Paul L, Chris B, and Robbie B. We then spent most of the 90's flying to Hong Kong and Narita, Tokyo before
2 years ago
When I was 12, our family took a holiday from Melbourne to the Gold Coast in Queensland. It was the first time I had ever been on an airliner, and the excitement was palpable as we prepared to board the TAA (Trans Australian Airlines) Boeing 727. We approached the aircraft, boarding from the front steps, and as the eldest child, my father placed me in front of him. He then turned to the flight attendant and asked, "Can my boy please take a look at the cockpit?"
Before I knew it, I was ushered into the small, fascinating room at the front of this impressive jet, surrounded by an array of dials, switches, and controls. The Captain, noticing my wide-eyed wonder, asked my dad if I'd like to stay in the cockpit for takeoff. Moments later, I found myself strapped into the jump seat by the Flight Engineer, my heart racing with excitement.
I was both stunned and overwhelmed as I watched the crew go through their briefings, checklists, and procedures, all to prepare this magnificent jet for departure. When we finally reached the runway, the Captain turned around with a grin and said, "Hold on!" The Flight Engineer assisted the Captain with the thrust levers, and the noise was incredible.
As we gained speed, the roar of the engines faded, replaced by the increasing sound of rushing air as we accelerated down the runway.
Once airborne, with the checklists completed, the Captain, First Officer, and Engineer all turned to me with
2 years ago