Delving into my log book yet again I recall thatI had flown a couple of supernumerary trips to John F Kennedy airport in New York, sitting in the back of the cockpit watching how it was done but now it was my turn to clamber into the hot seat to start my line training with Virgin Atlantic.  I was also flying with the Chief Pilot so absolutely no pressure!
 
<div id="attachment_14441" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-DINO.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14441" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14441 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-DINO-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-DINO-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-DINO-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>Compared with the Airbus A340, the old Boeings were beginning to look a bit like dinosaurs!</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14442" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-TRACKS.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14442" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14442 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-TRACKS-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-TRACKS-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-TRACKS-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>The confusion of aircraft flying over the Atlantic only really became apparent when they were all leaving contrails!</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14443" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-MCDU.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14443" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14443 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-MCDU-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-MCDU-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-MCDU-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>With the early MCDUs it was possible to outpace the processor that was trying to keep pace with your key presses.</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14444" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-HF-RADIO.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14444" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14444 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-HF-RADIO-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-HF-RADIO-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-HF-RADIO-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>Despite the plethora of satellites whizzing around the world, the world of aviation still often relied on old fashioned HF radios for communication.</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14445" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-IRS1.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14445" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14445 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-IRS1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-IRS1-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-IRS1-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>The data we used to plot our position on maps came from the same source as that that guided the aircraft!</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14446" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-CRI.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14446" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14446 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-CRI-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-CRI-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-CRI-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>I was surprised to see that this famous airport still regularly used approach aids common in much less developed countries.</div>
 
Images used under a creative commons licence with thanks to Nick Anderson, NATS, Airbus and the UK Gov.

Delving into my log book yet again I recall thatI had flown a couple of supernumerary trips to John F Kennedy airport in New York, sitting in the back of the cockpit watching how it was done but now it was my turn to clamber into the hot seat to start my line training with Virgin Atlantic. I was also flying with the Chief Pilot so absolutely no pressure! Compared with the Airbus A340, the old Boeings were beginning to look a bit like dinosaurs! The confusion of aircraft flying over the Atlantic only really became apparent when they were all leaving contrails! With the early MCDUs it was possible to outpace the processor that was trying to keep pace with your key presses. Despite the plethora of satellites whizzing around the world, the world of aviation still often relied on old fashioned HF radios for communication. The data we used to plot our position on maps came from the same source as that that guided the aircraft! I was surprised to see that this famous airport still regularly used approach aids common in much less developed countries. Images used under a creative commons licence with thanks to Nick Anderson, NATS, Airbus and the UK Gov.

Delving into my log book yet again I recall thatI had flown a couple of supernumerary trips to John F Kennedy airport in New York, sitting in the back of the cockpit watching how it was done but now it was my turn to clamber into the hot seat to start my line training with Virgin Atlantic.&nbsp; I was also flying with the Chief Pilot so absolutely no pressure!
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-DINO.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Compared with the Airbus A340, the old Boeings were beginning to look a bit like dinosaurs!
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-TRACKS.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The confusion of aircraft flying over the Atlantic only really became apparent when they were all leaving contrails!
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-MCDU.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>With the early MCDUs it was possible to outpace the processor that was trying to keep pace with your key presses.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-HF-RADIO.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Despite the plethora of satellites whizzing around the world, the world of aviation still often relied on old fashioned HF radios for communication.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-IRS1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The data we used to plot our position on maps came from the same source as that that guided the aircraft!
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PT-CRI.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>I was surprised to see that this famous airport still regularly used approach aids common in much less developed countries.
&nbsp;
Images used under a creative commons licence with thanks to Nick Anderson, NATS, Airbus and the UK Gov.
&nbsp;

RAF Form 414, Vol 35

I’m sorry dear listener but the logbook stories continue unabated with the next instalment. I had been inducted into Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd and, after completing the type rating technical exam we were dispatched to the heart of Airbussery, Toulouse in France, to undergo their simulator training course.  There were about 10 of us but, other than our sim partner, we didn’t have a lot of time to get to know each other with our busy month long schedule.I’d been paired up with a 340 pilot from the Northern Isles of Scotland and was all set to pick his brains on the subject until I discovered he had been flying the SAAB 340, a little Swedish twin engined turboprop.
<div id="attachment_14352" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-LUFTHANSA.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14352" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14352 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-LUFTHANSA-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-LUFTHANSA-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-LUFTHANSA-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>Lufthansa A340</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14353" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-WORLD-RANGER.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14353" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14353 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-WORLD-RANGER-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-WORLD-RANGER-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-WORLD-RANGER-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>The World Ranger livery</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14354" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SQ-BOF.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14354" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14354 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SQ-BOF-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SQ-BOF-980x980.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SQ-BOF-480x480.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>When your instructor says, “Bof!”</div>
 
Breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner!
<div id="attachment_14356" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-CORDES.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14356" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14356 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-CORDES-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-CORDES-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-CORDES-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>Cordes</div>
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-ESPRESSO.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14355 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-ESPRESSO-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-ESPRESSO-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-ESPRESSO-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>
 
<div id="attachment_14359" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-POOL-DRILL.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14359" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14359 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-POOL-DRILL-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-POOL-DRILL-980x551.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-POOL-DRILL-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" /></a>Pool drill with the Cabin Crew</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14358" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14358" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14358 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SQ-QUEEN-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SQ-QUEEN-980x980.jpg 980w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SQ-QUEEN-480x480.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw" />The Queen opens Queen’s Building</div>
 
 
 
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to MarcelX42, Airbus, HM Gov, Heathrow Airport, Cordes tourist board, Nick Anderson Photographic and Mid Journey AI.

I’m sorry dear listener but the logbook stories continue unabated with the next instalment. I had been inducted into Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd and, after completing the type rating technical exam we were dispatched to the heart of Airbussery, Toulouse in France, to undergo their simulator training course. There were about 10 of us but, other than our sim partner, we didn’t have a lot of time to get to know each other with our busy month long schedule.I’d been paired up with a 340 pilot from the Northern Isles of Scotland and was all set to pick his brains on the subject until I discovered he had been flying the SAAB 340, a little Swedish twin engined turboprop. Lufthansa A340 The World Ranger livery When your instructor says, “Bof!” Breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner! Cordes Pool drill with the Cabin Crew The Queen opens Queen’s Building Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to MarcelX42, Airbus, HM Gov, Heathrow Airport, Cordes tourist board, Nick Anderson Photographic and Mid Journey AI.

I’m sorry dear listener but the logbook stories continue unabated with the next instalment. I had been inducted into Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd and, after completing the type rating technical exam we were dispatched to the heart of Airbussery, Toulouse in France, to undergo their simulator training course.&nbsp; There were about 10 of us but, other than our sim partner, we didn’t have a lot of time to get to know each other with our busy month long schedule.I’d been paired up with a 340 pilot from the Northern Isles of Scotland and was all set to pick his brains on the subject until I discovered he had been flying the SAAB 340, a little Swedish twin engined turboprop.
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-LUFTHANSA.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Lufthansa A340
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-WORLD-RANGER.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The World Ranger livery
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SQ-BOF.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>When your instructor says, “Bof!”
&nbsp;
Breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner!
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-CORDES.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Cordes
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-ESPRESSO.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PT-POOL-DRILL.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Pool drill with the Cabin Crew
&nbsp;
The Queen opens Queen’s Building
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to MarcelX42, Airbus, HM Gov, Heathrow Airport, Cordes tourist board, Nick Anderson Photographic and Mid Journey AI.

RAF Form 414, Vol 34

Colin will be visiting California in a few weeks and will speak at the Voices of Valor Gala Dinner, A Tribute to the Greatest Generation, to be held at the Palm Springs Air Museum California Gala Dinner on the 8th of February 2025. <a href="https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/gala/">https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/gala/</a>
 
<div id="attachment_14162" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14162" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14162 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1-1080x607.jpg 1080w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1.jpg 1944w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Colin Bell telling us his story</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14163" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14163" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14163 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>The cockpit of a Mosquito</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14165" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14165" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14165 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY-300x300.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY-150x150.jpg 150w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY-768x768.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>The Canadian Mosquito factory at Downsview, near Toronto, Ontario</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14166" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14166" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14166 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>RAF bomber crews eating their traditional breakfast after a mission</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14167" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14167" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14167 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>One of Chilon of Sparta’s famous quotes</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14170" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14170" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14170 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1.jpg 1944w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Colin beside a painting of his Mosquito</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14171" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14171" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14171 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS-300x300.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS-150x150.jpg 150w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS-768x768.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Female German Army personnel and an AA gun battery</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14172" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14172" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14172 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>The dreaded white light indicating the presence of a Luftwaffe Me262 night fighter</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14173" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14173" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14173 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Colin standing by an Me262 jet fighter showing us what he thought of being chased by one</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14174" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14174" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14174 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK-300x300.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK-150x150.jpg 150w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK-768x768.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>The book of their exploits written by Colin’s navigator’s son</div>
 
Images shown under a Creative Commons licence with thanks to Fotoafdrukken Koninklijke Luchtmacht, the Royal Air Force, the IWM and images in the Public Domain.

Colin will be visiting California in a few weeks and will speak at the Voices of Valor Gala Dinner, A Tribute to the Greatest Generation, to be held at the Palm Springs Air Museum California Gala Dinner on the 8th of February 2025. https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/gala/ Colin Bell telling us his story The cockpit of a Mosquito The Canadian Mosquito factory at Downsview, near Toronto, Ontario RAF bomber crews eating their traditional breakfast after a mission One of Chilon of Sparta’s famous quotes Colin beside a painting of his Mosquito Female German Army personnel and an AA gun battery The dreaded white light indicating the presence of a Luftwaffe Me262 night fighter Colin standing by an Me262 jet fighter showing us what he thought of being chased by one The book of their exploits written by Colin’s navigator’s son Images shown under a Creative Commons licence with thanks to Fotoafdrukken Koninklijke Luchtmacht, the Royal Air Force, the IWM and images in the Public Domain.

Colin will be visiting California in a few weeks and will speak at the Voices of Valor Gala Dinner, A Tribute to the Greatest Generation, to be held at the Palm Springs Air Museum California Gala Dinner on the 8th of February 2025. <a href="https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/gala/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/gala/</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-MIC-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Colin Bell telling us his story
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COCKPIT.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The cockpit of a Mosquito
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-FACTORY.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The Canadian Mosquito factory at Downsview, near Toronto, Ontario
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-BREAKFAST.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>RAF bomber crews eating their traditional breakfast after a mission
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-CHILON.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>One of Chilon of Sparta’s famous quotes
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-COLIN-PAINT-2-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Colin beside a painting of his Mosquito
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-AA-GIRLS.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Female German Army personnel and an AA gun battery
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-LIGHT.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The dreaded white light indicating the presence of a Luftwaffe Me262 night fighter
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PT-ME262.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Colin standing by an Me262 jet fighter showing us what he thought of being chased by one
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SQ-BOOK.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The book of their exploits written by Colin’s navigator’s son
&nbsp;
Images shown under a Creative Commons licence with thanks to Fotoafdrukken Koninklijke Luchtmacht, the Royal Air Force, the IWM and images in the Public Domain.

Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC, Part 3

This Tale is a continuation of the interview of World War II pilot Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC. At the age of 103, Colin recalls with perfect clarity what it was like to fly his De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito bomber into action as part of a Pathfinder Squadron. This Tale is the second part of the interview with Colin, the opportunity for which I have to thank my old friend Bob Judson. Having had a high ranking career in the RAF, Bob is now a consultant in the field of psychological, life and executive coaching and has a podcast, Leading 4 Life, which explores leadership in the stories of his own life and those told by his many illustrious guests, such as Colin. Bob was kind enough to allow me to share in this opportunity to interview Colin. If you want to take advantage of Bob’s services or listen to his free podcast then check out his website, here: <a href="https://www.leading4life.co.uk/">https://www.leading4life.co.uk/</a> and his great podcast here: <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2227500">https://www.buzzsprout.com/2227500</a>
 
<div id="attachment_14116" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14116" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14116 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>The Nissen Hut was wartime emergency accommodation with a single coal burning heater. It was notoriously cold in the winter.</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14118" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14118" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14118 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>A No 608 Squadron Mosquito, B Baker March, takes off from RAF Downham Market</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14119" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14119" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14119 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Bomber Command aircrew mission briefings</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14120" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14120" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14120 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>RAF Bombers attacking Berlin with Pathfinder flares below them</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14121" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14121" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14121 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Most of Colin’s bombing attacks were made as individual aircraft</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14122" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14122" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14122 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Colin Bell talking to us during his interview</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14123" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14123" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14123 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Hanover under attack from US forces during a daylight raid</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14124" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14124" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14124 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Germani Anti Aircraft Artillery</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14125" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14125" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14125 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>A Mosquito formation</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14126" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14126" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14126 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>A period description of how OBOE functioned</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14127" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14127" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14127 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>The bar of the Crown Hotel Downham Market</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14128" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14128" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14128 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>A Focke Wolf FW190A similar to the type that employed the Wild Boar tactic</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14129" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14129" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14129 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Jimmy Stewart who flew the B17 and B24 in operational missions and became a Brigadier General in the USAF</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14131" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14131" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14131 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Colin stands beside one of the few remaining Mosquitos</div>
 
Images shown under a Creative Commons Licence with thanks to Mark Vickers, Colin Bell, the RAF, Bert Verhoeff, the Australian War Memorial collection, the IWM, RAF Bomber Command, German Federal Archives, the USAF and the USAAF.

This Tale is a continuation of the interview of World War II pilot Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC. At the age of 103, Colin recalls with perfect clarity what it was like to fly his De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito bomber into action as part of a Pathfinder Squadron. This Tale is the second part of the interview with Colin, the opportunity for which I have to thank my old friend Bob Judson. Having had a high ranking career in the RAF, Bob is now a consultant in the field of psychological, life and executive coaching and has a podcast, Leading 4 Life, which explores leadership in the stories of his own life and those told by his many illustrious guests, such as Colin. Bob was kind enough to allow me to share in this opportunity to interview Colin. If you want to take advantage of Bob’s services or listen to his free podcast then check out his website, here: https://www.leading4life.co.uk/ and his great podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2227500 The Nissen Hut was wartime emergency accommodation with a single coal burning heater. It was notoriously cold in the winter. A No 608 Squadron Mosquito, B Baker March, takes off from RAF Downham Market Bomber Command aircrew mission briefings RAF Bombers attacking Berlin with Pathfinder flares below them Most of Colin’s bombing attacks were made as individual aircraft Colin Bell talking to us during his interview Hanover under attack from US forces during a daylight raid Germani Anti Aircraft Artillery A Mosquito formation A period description of how OBOE functioned The bar of the Crown Hotel Downham Market A Focke Wolf FW190A similar to the type that employed the Wild Boar tactic Jimmy Stewart who flew the B17 and B24 in operational missions and became a Brigadier General in the USAF Colin stands beside one of the few remaining Mosquitos Images shown under a Creative Commons Licence with thanks to Mark Vickers, Colin Bell, the RAF, Bert Verhoeff, the Australian War Memorial collection, the IWM, RAF Bomber Command, German Federal Archives, the USAF and the USAAF.

This Tale is a continuation of the interview of World War II pilot Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC. At the age of 103, Colin recalls with perfect clarity what it was like to fly his De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito bomber into action as part of a Pathfinder Squadron. This Tale is the second part of the interview with Colin, the opportunity for which I have to thank my old friend Bob Judson. Having had a high ranking career in the RAF, Bob is now a consultant in the field of psychological, life and executive coaching and has a podcast, Leading 4 Life, which explores leadership in the stories of his own life and those told by his many illustrious guests, such as Colin. Bob was kind enough to allow me to share in this opportunity to interview Colin. If you want to take advantage of Bob’s services or listen to his free podcast then check out his website, here: <a href="https://www.leading4life.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.leading4life.co.uk/</a> and his great podcast here: <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2227500" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.buzzsprout.com/2227500</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-NISSEN-HUT.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The Nissen Hut was wartime emergency accommodation with a single coal burning heater. It was notoriously cold in the winter.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-MOSQUITO-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>A No 608 Squadron Mosquito, B Baker March, takes off from RAF Downham Market
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BRIEFING.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Bomber Command aircrew mission briefings
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-BERLIN.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>RAF Bombers attacking Berlin with Pathfinder flares below them
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LONE-BOMBER.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Most of Colin’s bombing attacks were made as individual aircraft
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-INTERVIEW-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Colin Bell talking to us during his interview
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HANOVER.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Hanover under attack from US forces during a daylight raid
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-AAA.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Germani Anti Aircraft Artillery
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-FORMATION-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>A Mosquito formation
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-OBOE.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>A period description of how OBOE functioned
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-THE-CROWN.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The bar of the Crown Hotel Downham Market
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-WILD-BOAR.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>A Focke Wolf FW190A similar to the type that employed the Wild Boar tactic
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-JIMMY-STEWART.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Jimmy Stewart who flew the B17 and B24 in operational missions and became a Brigadier General in the USAF
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-COLIN-MOZZI.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Colin stands beside one of the few remaining Mosquitos
&nbsp;
Images shown under a Creative Commons Licence with thanks to Mark Vickers, Colin Bell, the RAF, Bert Verhoeff, the Australian War Memorial collection, the IWM, RAF Bomber Command, German Federal Archives, the USAF and the USAAF.

Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC, Part 2

You are sitting in your airliner and the handsome, pretty or in a non-binary sense cute, elegant, lovely or in a non exclusive way charming, fine, interesting or personable flight attendant is standing in front of you to demonstrate the safety features of your aircraft. Hopefully if you enjoy the airline pilot guy enough to be listening to this you might have more than just a passing interest in what safety equipment there is onboard the average big, well equipped, airliner.
<div id="attachment_14099" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14099" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14099 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Most airlines show the gender-specific pronouns that are typically used to refer to people in the way they identify</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14100" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14100" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14100 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM-300x300.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM-150x150.jpg 150w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM-768x768.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Door Arming controls</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14101" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14101" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14101 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Girt Bar system that can be found on older style aircraft</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14102" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14102" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14102 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH-300x300.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH-150x150.jpg 150w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH-768x768.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Steph beside ‘her’ emergency exit</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14103" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14103" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14103 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Slide use in theory and in practice</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14104" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14104" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14104 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Disobeying safety instructions can lead to increased danger and possible loss of life</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14105" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14105" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14105 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE-300x300.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE-150x150.jpg 150w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE-768x768.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE.jpg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>The early days of air travel</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14106" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14106" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14106 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Jack Grant, an Australian, who invented the modern inflatable slide and won the Cumberland trophy</div>
 
 
<div id="attachment_14107" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14107" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14107 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Aircraft safety equipment</div>
<div id="attachment_14108" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14108" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14108 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Halon (halo-genated hydrocarbons) are the world’s best fire extinguishing chemicals but banned from manufacture</div>
 
<div id="attachment_14109" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD.jpg"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14109" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-14109 size-large" src="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD-300x169.jpg 300w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD-768x432.jpg 768w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD-1080x608.jpg 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>Safety cards through the history of aviation</div>
 
Images are used under a Creative Commons licence with thanks to Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd, Airbus, Oleg Bkhambri (Voltmetro), Boeing, Dr Steph, Marc-Antony Payne, Qantas Airways Ltd, John Collier, the Library of Congress, The Museum of Civil Aviation and SOC.

You are sitting in your airliner and the handsome, pretty or in a non-binary sense cute, elegant, lovely or in a non exclusive way charming, fine, interesting or personable flight attendant is standing in front of you to demonstrate the safety features of your aircraft. Hopefully if you enjoy the airline pilot guy enough to be listening to this you might have more than just a passing interest in what safety equipment there is onboard the average big, well equipped, airliner. Most airlines show the gender-specific pronouns that are typically used to refer to people in the way they identify Door Arming controls Girt Bar system that can be found on older style aircraft Steph beside ‘her’ emergency exit Slide use in theory and in practice Disobeying safety instructions can lead to increased danger and possible loss of life The early days of air travel Jack Grant, an Australian, who invented the modern inflatable slide and won the Cumberland trophy Aircraft safety equipment Halon (halo-genated hydrocarbons) are the world’s best fire extinguishing chemicals but banned from manufacture Safety cards through the history of aviation Images are used under a Creative Commons licence with thanks to Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd, Airbus, Oleg Bkhambri (Voltmetro), Boeing, Dr Steph, Marc-Antony Payne, Qantas Airways Ltd, John Collier, the Library of Congress, The Museum of Civil Aviation and SOC.

You are sitting in your airliner and the handsome, pretty or in a non-binary sense cute, elegant, lovely or in a non exclusive way charming, fine, interesting or personable flight attendant is standing in front of you to demonstrate the safety features of your aircraft. Hopefully if you enjoy the airline pilot guy enough to be listening to this you might have more than just a passing interest in what safety equipment there is onboard the average big, well equipped, airliner.
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SHE-HER.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Most airlines show the gender-specific pronouns that are typically used to refer to people in the way they identify
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<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-DOOR-ARM.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Door Arming controls
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<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-GIRT-BAR.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Girt Bar system that can be found on older style aircraft
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<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-STEPH.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Steph beside ‘her’ emergency exit
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<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SLIDE.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Slide use in theory and in practice
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<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-LUGGAGE.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Disobeying safety instructions can lead to increased danger and possible loss of life
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<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SQ-CHUTE.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>The early days of air travel
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-TROPHY.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Jack Grant, an Australian, who invented the modern inflatable slide and won the Cumberland trophy
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-EQUIP.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Aircraft safety equipment
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-HALON.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Halon (halo-genated hydrocarbons) are the world’s best fire extinguishing chemicals but banned from manufacture
&nbsp;
<a href="https://airlinepilotguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/PT-SAFETY-CARD.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a>Safety cards through the history of aviation
&nbsp;
Images are used under a Creative Commons licence with thanks to Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd, Airbus, Oleg Bkhambri (Voltmetro), Boeing, Dr Steph, Marc-Antony Payne, Qantas Airways Ltd, John Collier, the Library of Congress, The Museum of Civil Aviation and SOC.

The Safety of Safety

The West is stunned by the appearance of a new Soviet fighter capable of a huge altitude and incredible speed.  Suddenly, one is placed right into their laps! 
 
The passport of Viktor Belenko. 
 
  
 
Images courtesy of Creative Commons licence, US Gov.

The West is stunned by the appearance of a new Soviet fighter capable of a huge altitude and incredible speed. Suddenly, one is placed right into their laps! The passport of Viktor Belenko. Images courtesy of Creative Commons licence, US Gov.

The West is stunned by the appearance of a new Soviet fighter capable of a huge altitude and incredible speed.&nbsp; Suddenly, one is placed right into their laps! 
 
The passport of Viktor Belenko. 
 
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Images courtesy of Creative Commons licence, US Gov.

Hunting the Foxbat

During the fall of Saigon in 1975, Major Bung Lee escapes in a Bird Dog. 
 
 
 
Images attributed to USN and used under a Creative Commons licence.

During the fall of Saigon in 1975, Major Bung Lee escapes in a Bird Dog. Images attributed to USN and used under a Creative Commons licence.

During the fall of Saigon in 1975, Major Bung Lee escapes in a Bird Dog. 
 
 
 
Images attributed to USN and used under a Creative Commons licence.

Flight…In a Bird Dog

An interview with C130 pilot, the amazing CJ Hemmer, who reveals what those Special Forces Hercules pilots get up to!

CJ Hemmer Interview

Amongst the rafters of Colditz Castle during the Second World War an audacious escape plan is being prepared! 
 
The title image by Lee Carson is the only known photograph of the actual Cock and is used under the Creative Commons licence.

Amongst the rafters of Colditz Castle during the Second World War an audacious escape plan is being prepared! The title image by Lee Carson is the only known photograph of the actual Cock and is used under the Creative Commons licence.

Amongst the rafters of Colditz Castle during the Second World War an audacious escape plan is being prepared! 
 
The title image by&nbsp;Lee Carson is the only known photograph of the actual Cock and is used under the Creative Commons licence.

The Cock that Never Flew

Two brothers both become fighter pilots and serve at the same time in the RAF during the Second World War, their fates are linked in more ways than one.

Brothers in Arms

A remarkable piece of navigational deduction by Air New Zealand Capt Vette rescues a lost aircraft over the Pacific ocean. 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Title image by Dtom under Creative Commons licence.

A remarkable piece of navigational deduction by Air New Zealand Capt Vette rescues a lost aircraft over the Pacific ocean. Title image by Dtom under Creative Commons licence.

A remarkable piece of navigational deduction by Air New Zealand Capt Vette rescues a lost aircraft over the Pacific ocean. 
 
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&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp; 
 
Title image by Dtom under Creative Commons licence.

Lost

A Phantom crew barely escape with their lives after a wake turbulence encounter.

Into the Vortex

The second half of Capt Nick's interview with Elyse Anderson, an Australian flying instructor, on how she got started in aviation

Elyse Anderson Interview – Part 2

A young Air Cadet receives a hard lesson on the dangers of flying and how a stall happens. 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Title image under Creative Commons license - Photographer Barry Lewis.

A young Air Cadet receives a hard lesson on the dangers of flying and how a stall happens. Title image under Creative Commons license - Photographer Barry Lewis.

A young Air Cadet receives a hard lesson on the dangers of flying and&nbsp;how a stall happens. 
 
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Title image under Creative Commons license - Photographer Barry Lewis.

The Aerodynamics of Death

Capt Nick interviews Elyse Anderson an Australian flying instructor on how she got started in aviation.

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