Going west, life is peaceful there

…on Monday I will board SK903 for a trip to the Big Apple.

 

“S-BX you’re number 7 for 19L” (or the 600:- hamburger)

Q: What does one do when you have nothing to do on a Wednesday afternoon?

A: Round up two friends, drive 45 km and fly a Cessna to Arlanda and enjoy a hamburger at MAX.

 

I decided that it was time to do something about it and suggested to Patrik and Fredrik that we could take a trip to Arlanda. Said and done, I contacted the slot coordinator and obtained a slot time at 1605Z and outbound again at 1715Z. Together with P, we drove up to Sundbro where we checked the aircraft to verify that she was in flying condition and filled in the last figures on the operational flight plan.

   When Fredrik arrived we took a coffee and chatted a bit before wandering out to IBX and starting the engine. Rolled out towards rwy 03 and did the final checks before taking off towards the north east. At 500 ft I turned the aircraft towards Uppsala-Näs contacting Stockholm control to activate our flight plan and almost instantly obtained a clearance to 2500ft.  A few moments later we were handed off to Arlanda arrival and now things started to become hectic on the radio, something that was confirmed with the words “S-BX you’re number 7 for 19L, make 360″.  A few vectors later we were finally told to “turn right heading 130 and cleared for approach runway 19L”. When passing the outer marker we were handed over to Arlanda tower and were cleared to land.

Am I really flying again!?

 

“S-BX make left 360”

 

Field in sight!

Shortly before touchdown

Follow me!

Upon rolling on the runway ground asks us to hurry off the runway as an SAS Boeing 737 was coming in fast behind us and would prefer not to do the second go around of the day. We continued up taxiway U to UE where the marshaller met up with us guiding us in to stand S77 where a big yellow bus was waiting to take us in to terminal 4. 

  While we left the parking attendants confused as to how to charge us the landing fee while we took an elevator 87m up to the top of the tower where we were given a guided tour of the top.

 

Back to the parking attendants, I paid the fees and signed the papers and decided to enjoy a nice big juicy Max burger.

Now to the pictures of the return journey which started from gate 30D at terminal 4 with yet another big yellow bus back to S77:

 To conclude, a very enjoyable journey as usual with Mr. Nilsson & Hjortberg!

 

The ramp tower, an office with a view

Had the chance to visit the Arlanda ramp tower where the staff lay the big parking puzzle today and I’d like to share a few pictures with you. Thanks to P. and J for the visit

 

 

Words for thought I

Found on B737-600 LN-RPB before departure to Helsinki as SK706

Happy 17th of May

To all Norwegians (and non-Norwegians) HAPPY 17th of May!!! The celebrations in Stockholm will take place at Skansen followed by dinner with some friends of the family.

 

Making the best out of a long delay

It is 0258 and I am just home from a longer than planned shift at Arlanda. The reason is the following:

08-05-11

17:15

Heraklion

NVR261

5

Departed 02:00

NOVAIR

When the aircraft was ready to head south the pilots noticed something wrong with the engine and decided to return to the gate. Finally, all passengers were deplaned and told that the new departure time would be 0145 as a spare part had to be flown in from Copenhagen.

 At 2100 I was assigned to work the gate from just before midnight and prepared myself for what I could be facing. After a few stress free flights I took the “frog” out to gate 9 where I met up with J. and together we started updating ourselves on the situation and taking care of the people who had questions and concerns. Stage number 2 was to sort out blankets for all passengers as it was quite chilly in the terminal and people were trying to catch some sleep. After a few phone calls and a small “theft” we managed to source cover for everyone who wanted. As the clock came closer to departure time we were worried that we would have to delay the flight further but then  we obtained an ok sign from the “tech team” and to everyones content we could start the boarding aided by R. and the Apollo representative and also SGS colleague C.

 After some small calculation problems and finding the last boarding cards J. retracted the bridge at 0153 and we could complete the last of the paperwork before heading back to the office to sign out. I arrived back home at 0247 just to have the morning newspaper delivered right in my hand. 

Looking back at this episode it shows that the key to good results is teamwork with a dialogue between crew, tech staff and gate and keeping the passengers informed. The last point is valid even if there is nothing to inform about as you show you know as much as them and you’re not trying to hide anything from them. Then do it all with a smile and no one can blame you for not having done your best.

To J,R,C, the techies, the crew and anyone else involved, I would like to say GOOD WORK!

  

                                               A late or early arrival home from work?

First mini-weekend of the year

                                                       

Tomorrow, after a morning shift at work, I shall board SK405 to Copenhagen and then change to SK1593 taking be to the Capital of Europe for a mini-weekend. The trip might also include a visit to Amsterdam or somewhere else on the Dutch side of the border. Look out for a trip report upon my return.