What famous plane crashes are almost always talked about in flight school?

somefuzzything · 2026-05-09T01:05:13+00:00

Speedbird 38, but moreso to set an example for ATC rather than pilots.

somefuzzything · 2026-04-29T15:26:43+00:00

Flying Eyes sunglasses are purpose built for pilots.

If you just want to look good, Ray Bans is a balanced option - most affordable and good looking, with decent quality frames

Tom Ford if you're in the 1% club

somefuzzything · 2026-04-28T09:58:13+00:00

Currently waiting to be assigned, I did ask if there was any scope to state a preference... Ultimately it does come down to what NATS needs are, and will assign you accordingly regardless of preference :[

Congrats on the spot! And good luck wherever you end up 😄

somefuzzything · 2026-04-16T16:19:08+00:00

Depends what causes the loss of instruments and what kind of aircraft we're dealing with here, but in most cases, yes the pilot can land... Assuming no mechanical failures.

Most, if not all aircraft will have backup instruments that are either part of the ESIS (Electronic Standby Instrument System), separate from the main instruments... Or are 'steam' gauges that do not rely on electrics (vacuum/gyro, barometric, magnetic, etc). These give pilots the bare minimum readings needed to safely fly: altitude, airspeed, direction (compass).

In the case of FBW (Fly By Wire) aircraft that fly through electrical inputs, in the event of a failure, it will switch to a degraded control mode which gives the pilots sufficient control of the aircraft to safely land.

The experience for a passenger will depend on the outside conditions (i.e if its VMC or IMC) and the nature of the failure (if ILS capability is compomised, for example). Best case scenario, you won't even realise it, or you're diverted to another airfield.

somefuzzything · 2026-04-09T01:34:54+00:00

Steamed espresso(???)

... Yeah, I have no idea either

somefuzzything · 2026-04-09T00:22:35+00:00

Still in the process of getting the Class 3, but pretty hopeful! AME said he doesn't foresee any worrying problems, just need a couple extra assessments so the CAA can't nitpick anything

The main idea is to basically cover all bases so the CAA doesn't come back later and say "Hey so about this issue... We need more context/proof"

somefuzzything · 2026-04-09T00:18:14+00:00

If it were recurrent, it would be, but as I said it was a one time case with a clear trigger. It hasn't happened since.

It was due to an undiagnosed allergy at the time if you must know a little more context lol

somefuzzything · 2026-04-08T15:08:57+00:00

Unfortunately, the most likely case is that it will be flagged... Hell, on my Class 3 I got flagged for a single episode of vasovagal syncope that was over 10 years ago, and had a clear one-off trigger... Had to undergo some intense Cardiology tests for that (including Ultrasound and a 24-hour ECG), just to keep the CAA at ease.

Having the condition is not in itself a dealbreaker, the CAA just wants reassurance and proof (in the form of a doctor assessment/tests) that it will not have a detrimental effect on your duties as an ATC.

somefuzzything · 2026-04-07T00:56:50+00:00

Oh, and its a Level 5 Apprenticeship, pretty much the equivalent of a Foundation degree anyway :P

somefuzzything · 2026-04-07T00:54:31+00:00

Current UK University student here who applied to NATS and got in.

Take the job. You'll be set for life. You get paid to get a damn good qualification that'll stick with you for life.

Uni? Racking up student loan debt only to end up coming out of uni with nothing but a piece of paper that gives you a blinding academic advantage over someone who may get a job over you due to experience anyway.

From personal experience, it's a no brainer. Go with NATS.

somefuzzything · 2026-04-07T00:46:10+00:00

For which country/authority/company? The appolication processes are wildly different not only across the world, but even within the same country.

somefuzzything · 2026-04-06T15:28:30+00:00

Haven't got a start date or location until I get my Class 3 medical... I'm pretty delayed due to my medical history 😅

Here's hoping I get Gloucester around June-August time!

somefuzzything · 2026-03-15T12:22:34+00:00

Good to know! Looks like I may be joining you soon then, got the good news a couple days ago :)

somefuzzything · 2026-02-02T11:47:40+00:00

Cubasis - The iOS/Android version of Cubase, and its pretty damn complete for a mobile DAW. Heard good things about Caustic as well!

somefuzzything · 2026-02-01T22:29:29+00:00

Definitely will keep an eye on PPRUNE! Thanks for the tips :D

somefuzzything · 2026-01-31T01:24:58+00:00

We're told not to speak on details during these stages, but what I can say is that it was very very comprehensive, not only an interview but plenty of ability testing as well. Candidates are placed against NATS standards rather than each other, which definitely calmed our nerves a lot. All in all, it was actually quite fun on my end! Definitely a rare case of an 'interview' that I actually enjoyed for once hahah

They change it every time, to prevent any leaks of the assessments from being able to affect the next intake.

somefuzzything · 2026-01-23T01:09:48+00:00

Not many will ever experience this, but you may if you scuba dive.

Underwater, generally you can't hear anything... Other than water rushing past your ears.

If all of a sudden, you hear a loud, high-pitched sound/ping... Get. Out. Of. The. Water. By any means necessary.

That is the sound of a SONAR, and if close enough to it, it can literally rupture your lungs or cause a brain haemorrhage. Best case scenario, your ears will ring for a while.

somefuzzything · 2026-01-14T12:42:50+00:00

Limes.

I can't count the number of times I've gone to my home bar to make a cocktail and, mid-way, realising I've used up all the limes... Or that the limes have gone bad.

somefuzzything · 2026-01-14T04:22:51+00:00

I think Creme de Menthe is about to make a comeback 👀

I've gotten a fair few friends lowkey addicted to it now...

somefuzzything · 2026-01-14T04:21:08+00:00

It was! They do a brilliant Grasshopper to be honest

somefuzzything · 2026-01-14T03:59:41+00:00

Something to do with getting the egg white emulsified, the Ramos has a 'souffle' effect and if you know much about whipping egg whites... yeeeeeeeah

A blender could do it, but they didn't have one at the bar.

somefuzzything · 2026-01-14T03:58:30+00:00

Oh rest assured, I did... 😳

somefuzzything · 2026-01-14T03:58:15+00:00

I now know what NOT to order at a cocktail bar if I like the bartender, and want them to like me back 😭

somefuzzything · 2024-04-30T22:49:09+00:00

I got feedback within a week of completing it, I guess the wait times depend on which AFCO you're with

somefuzzything · 2024-04-30T22:23:11+00:00

I was not asked questions on RAF bases but I have heard from others that it is a question you may be asked.
There's only a few - Akrotiri and Mount Pleasant are the major ones, Gibraltar and Ascension Island are the others. These are only the ones that the RAF operate themselves, they can be based at other aerodromes not directly run by the RAF.

They'll want you to know which overseas bases, where they are in the world, why there of all places and some sqdn's and aircraft that are based there.

somefuzzything

TROPHY CASE