ITVV Flight Series DVD: Boeing 747-400

By Nigel C. Martin (30 June 2005)

OVERVIEW

I must plead guilty of focussing on the add-ons, and not looking at, in more detail, one aspect that sits very much in parallel, indeed, offers an almost unique insight to real world aviation. (And provides us an insight and understanding of flying the real aircraft types.)

I am referring to the aviation DVD titles that are now on offer. Perhaps one of the main reasons for this is a personal experience of a few titles of what can at best be called amateur, appalling offerings I sat through a year or so ago.

(Not from ITVV I hasten to say, may I also add I am sure other excellent producers exist, I just have not come across them.) These videos albeit well intentioned I am sure? These were an insult and a ‘rip-off’. The footage provided on the DVD’s we could see on some terrestrial and now satellite based programs. And the quality was to say the least questionable. (And the offerings proved too expensive.)

I firmly felt this ‘effort’ was merely a way of extracting money from aviation enthusiasts, without providing an acceptable product. Right the grumble over, let’s move onward and upward.

So, with that rather negative experience, you can appreciate my slight hesitation when i was offered an aviation DVD accompanying the crew of a Boeing 747-400 (G-VXLG Virgin 19 heavy) flown by the crew headed up by Virgin Atlantic’s Capt Alan Carter. The flight departs London Heathrow (EGLL) with the destination being San Francisco International Airport (KSFO).

I have to admit, I love nothing better than to ‘whack-on’ the simulator and take to the skies without too much consideration to the all-up weights, fuel and luggage distribution etc. However, from time to time I do start from a ‘dry’ weight aircraft (Flight One’s ATR 72-500 Configure Management Tool is great and easy to use, it’s excellent in fact) and laden the aircraft to the extent you wish, then take to the blue yonder, with an element of realism.

Taking a more pragmatic approach, having an insight how the various checks and real life critical considerations are arrived at, seems a great idea. And so it is.

ITVV (Intelligent Television and Video Ltd.) is an established and well respected producer of aviation titles. Some other titles in the Platinum Series include:

Look at the other titles on offer, quite a few!

PACKAGING

Opening the protective cellophane covering, you will find the DVD firmly held in place on the inside back cover, and a small piece of foam to further aid support. It really is as simple as that, no massive instruction manuals, pilot notes to wade through, quite refreshing actually, as this is a DVD and of course does not warrant such an item.

Time to settle down, cup of coffee, beer or any other beverage, telephone on divert, pop the DVD into the player, hit ‘go’ and get ready…

INSTALLATION

Make your choice, and hey presto you will be immersed in all things aviation. I recommend you choose the first option Pre-Flight Departure Take Off and Climb. This will provide you with the detail in the right sequence, and you will get the best overall experience.

TAKE TO THE AIR

You will also see a fresh faced individual with four white stripes on his arms; not the captain I hear you say? Well yes actually, it is, Captain Alan Carter who became captain with Virgin at 30 in 1994 and two years later transferred onto 747-400’s, where he continues his flying career. There is a brief resume of his flying career, I think you could say he was focused on his objective, to fly.

Captain Carter takes us through the detail at this stage. After some interesting elements being covered, the subject matter covered is most interesting, taking us through the flight preparations, NOTAMS, weather, etc.

The payloads are discussed, and various calculations sorted. The amounts of fuel taken onboard are mind blowing, to take the three quarter full aircraft over ‘the pond’, suffice to say, the crew ensure there is 1 ton of fuel extra for taxiing at Heathrow. And we object paying a fuel supplement when we go on holidays? How long would that keep my car going?? That is, it was a turbofan engine. Oh well.

Actually, I was very impressed with Capt. Carter who makes a valiant effort presenting, alright, he was a little dry mouthed and a lot of hand gestures, I found that quite endearing, natural if you wish, I would award him 9/10. The room that was used had quite a bit of background noise. I guess it was within a busy building…. It did not detract form the subject matter covered, the pink walls where very nice… Compliments to the interior designer!

The delivery was easy to understand, not too much ‘jargon’. It was informative, but technical enough, and allowed us an insight into this vital stage of a long haul flight, indeed any flight.

Then we make our way to the 747-400 for a walk about. The walk around the aircraft is a fairly simple process, with Capt. Carter looking at key elements, accompanied by some quite nice music. Works well, it does not run too long, but it provides us with a visual conformation, if we needed it, that the 747-400 is a huge aircraft--it is a monolith! How on earth does it get into the air? The wonders of physics…

The next view is in the cockpit, with the camera view as if in the second officers seat looking towards the captain. An introduction from Capt. Carter and he sets the scene. During this and other occasions there is the use of superimposing the check list, which is verbally being confirmed and implemented by the crew. This I felt was very effective, a simple method and provided the viewer important visual reference.

I felt the headset Capt. Carter was using could have been a ‘tad’ more responsive or merely turned up a little, the first officer‘s voice was very clear. Not a major issue but an observation.

During the flight, we were introduced to the two other first officers. FO Alan Rattigan and FO John Cullom (because of time restrictions the crew rotate duty times, this allows for a longer flight, and reducing work loading.

I would imagine, if Sir Richard Branson has anything to do with it, the crew dine the finest Scottish salmon washed down with the finest non alcoholic beverage, well something like that! Each crew member having a different menu of course!)

The process of superimposing the actual check list, (transparent, but seeing the copy) while the crew were reading down and checking off the action list, was an excellent effect during the following procedures: CHECK FOR START, AFTER START CHECKS, BEFORE TAKE OFF CHECK, CLEARED FOR TAKE OFF, AFTER TAKE OFF, TRANSITION, LANDING CHECKS, AFTER LANDING CHECKS, SHUT DOWN CHECKS. Wow, see what I mean? Quite a number…

The camera positions and visual quality was to be commended, and the exterior views were equally impressive, which occurred on a number of occasions during the flight, especially during the final stages of the landing, we had a split screen showing various views that I can assure you added to the experience.

In the cruise, all three crew provided us with an detailed and very well executed explanation of key instrumentation i.e., EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System), EICAS (Engine Identification and Crew Alerting System), MCP (Mode Control Panel), etc. I actually found this fascinating and great value notes were taken, and will be used when I run back to my computer, after the DVD has finished, and plan the same route in my Just Flight 747 Professional. In fact having the written word, i.e. instructions, is one thing, but to see these instruments in action, and so well explained, provided me all the info I needed to make sense of what is a complex piece of electronics.

The communication with air traffic control was clear and informative throughout the flight. A part I particularly liked on final, ATC announced there was a 757 on a parallel track for 38 right while we were 38 left; try that on a misty cloudy day. That would focus the mind! Perhaps I will try the very same thing on FS2004, the consequences somewhat less to worry about.

After taxiing to the gate, and seeing the gate guidance lights indicate stop, the captain gives a little thank you talk. I found that really sincere and a nice touch. Captain Carter sounds a ‘nice’ bloke. The kind of bloke you could go to the pub with and have a good chat!

CONCLUSION

Even if you did not have a flight simulator on your computer, and just have an interest in aviation, you would find this DVD fascinating.

I am fully aware of the workload at obvious peak points in the flight, for any who have not experienced this… Watch this and you will understand why pilots who fly commercially earn their money, every penny.

This DVD has restored my faith in value for money and at £21.95 ($32.99) I believe represents good value for 166 minutes of entertainment. Not sure if your wife/husband or children would agree, but we all entitled to a little indulgence, aren’t we?

I must confess the Fokker 100 sounds like it has my name on it….

Hope you guy’s have fun like I did, and I will be looking at the full list of titles on the web site for more inspiration.

Nigel C. Martin
nigel.martin10@btinternet.com

Buy here