After leaving the economy class, Xu Cang headed straight to the cockpit in front.
It can only be said that the identity of the ICAO commissioner is still quite intimidating. At least when Xu Cang mentioned that he wanted to go into the cockpit, the cabin manager's first reaction was not to ask, but to become more vigilant. It was not until Xu Cang stated that he was an ICAO flight commissioner that the cabin manager vaguely understood and said that he could go and ask the cockpit.
When passing by the first-class cabin, Kingfisher Airlines' marketing director grabbed Xu Cang and looked obviously panicked: "Boss, are you okay?"
"I don't know. I need to go into the cockpit and take a look." As he said that, Xu Cang began to rummage through the luggage rack.
Since the ICAO flight specialist certificate was issued, Xu Cang didn't need to bring his own pilot's license, but he definitely had to bring this certificate. All ICAO members had to recognize this certificate, which was much more useful than the CAAC pilot's license.
Xu Cang didn't have much luggage, so he quickly found his documents from his bag.
In the front cabin workshop, the cabin manager was on an internal call with the cockpit. Seeing that Xu Cang seemed to have found his ID, he gestured to Xu Cang to come over.
Xu Cang patted the marketing director on the shoulder and walked over with his ID.
"Can I take a look?"
Xu Cang didn't mind and handed the certificate to the cabin manager: "If you can't tell the difference, you can ask the people in the cockpit to check it. They can ask the control to verify it."
The cabin manager looked over Xu Cang's ID several times. It was the first time she saw an ICAO ID and she couldn't tell it apart.
"Excuse me, I need to show it to the captain. Can you please stand back?"
In a while, the cockpit door will open. Xu Cang is now too close and needs to keep a safe distance.
"Well, please be quick." Xu Cang stepped back a little and stood at the entrance of the front cabin workshop.
The cabin manager nodded, spoke a few words to the cockpit, and then drew the curtain of the front cabin workroom to block the view of the workroom.
Xu Cang was not in a hurry, just standing there. Apparently the cabin manager took his words to heart. Within two or three minutes, the curtain was pulled open a corner, and the cabin manager leaned out half of his body: "Sir, the captain invites you to enter the cockpit."
Xu Cang hummed, lowered his head slightly, looked over the curtain, and found that the cockpit door was ajar. He naturally opened the cockpit door and stepped in.
Unlike what Xu Cang had expected, the atmosphere in the cockpit of this plane was quite relaxed. After Xu Cang entered, the captain handed his ID back to him and said with a smile, "Sir, our company did not mention that ICAO personnel would come to check on the plane, or are you... not notifying the airline?"
Generally speaking, whether it is the local Civil Aviation Administration or the International Civil Aviation Organization, they will basically inform the airline in advance when they board the plane to monitor a certain flight segment. Of course, if they want to achieve the effect of surprise, some inspectors will postpone the notification time until the cabin door is closed, so that the airline has no possibility to prepare in advance.
However, it is quite rare for someone like Xu Cang to fly for several hours and then reveal his identity.
It is a matter of courtesy to notify the relevant airlines before takeoff, no matter how long the flight is delayed. This is an unspoken rule that is generally accepted by everyone.
Of course, Xu Cang did not notify them in advance, and the captain and co-pilot in the cockpit did not dare to say too much.
"It's rare to monitor an intercontinental flight segment." At this time, the co-pilot also said.
Unlike in China, there is a clear age difference between the captain and the co-pilot. In foreign countries, the co-pilot may even be older than the captain, which is caused by various reasons. Moreover, the average age of captains abroad, especially in Europe and the United States, is definitely older than in China. This is why when Xu Cang first saw the two men in the cockpit, they were both uncles in their forties, with basically no external age difference.
Xu Cang took his ID and glanced at the engine display. At first glance, it seemed that there was no problem.
"No, this is not route monitoring." Xu Cang waved his hand and set the tone.
Although the captain and the co-pilot looked relaxed, their inner thoughts were inconsistent with their outward expressions. At least the captain breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Xu Cang say it was not a route inspection.
The co-pilot was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Mr. Xu, do you have any questions?"
Xu Cang did not answer immediately, but scanned the entire cockpit panel and DU display, and asked curiously: "Was there any warning display in the cockpit just now? For example, related to the power system?"
"Ah?" The captain and the co-pilot looked at each other. They were chatting just now and were not looking at the panel or anything.
This is not because the captain and the co-pilot are lazy. If they don't do something during such a long flight, they will soon become exhausted. Even the standard operating procedures of many airlines are based on appropriate chatting after stable cruising to ensure that the pilots' brains are relatively stable.
However, Boeing has its own logic in designing the warning system, which divides warnings into those within and outside the pilot's field of vision.
Warnings within the pilot's field of vision are easier to see. After all, even when , most of the time they are looking ahead, and they will notice which light is on at the first time. However, the cockpit is very large, with many panels and switches, and the pilot can only see part of the panel if he looks straight. If warning lights appear in the panel area beyond the pilot's field of vision, it is easier to be ignored.
At this time, the signal board function in Boeing aircraft is reflected.
The so-called signal light is directly in front of the pilot's field of vision. You have to look at it even if you want to. Once the warning light outside the pilot's normal field of vision is on, the signal light will also be on. Moreover, the signal light will indicate which area has the warning light on, which is very eye-catching.
Therefore, unless both of them fell asleep, the pilot would be able to notice any abnormal warning lights.
"No." After being puzzled at first, the captain quickly gave an answer, and as if to increase the persuasiveness, he added: "I'm sure of it."
Since the captain said so, Xu Cang couldn't question it anymore. They had no right to lie to him about such things.
Xu Cang pointed at the DU displayed on the engine: "There are no abnormalities in the speed and vibration values?"
"Well..." The captain hesitated: "I can be sure that there is no over-limit situation, but if it is about the fluctuation of the value within the limit, I am not sure about that."
Some faults need a period of time to ferment, such as engine surge. Before it develops to the point of over-limit, the speed will fluctuate abnormally. However, even if there is no over-limit display, this degree can be detected by physical sensation alone.
The co-pilot turned on all the engine display data: "Now it seems there is no problem."
Xu Cang was standing at the back, and took a glance at the engine parameters. They were indeed all within the limit. Previously, Xu Cang saw some unknown flames appearing at the air intake of the No. 2 engine in the economy class, but the data showed that the speed of the No. 2 engine only fluctuated slightly, and the vibration value was also higher than that of the No. 1 engine, but not much higher.
During flight, the speed of the aircraft's engines is constantly changing. Even though the speed of the No. 2 engine fluctuates somewhat frequently compared to the relatively stable speed of the No. 1 engine, this cannot be used as a basis for determining a fault.
Xu Cang hesitated for a moment. The current situation was indeed a bit awkward. He felt as if there was something wrong, but the data did not support his idea.
The captain could see the confusion on Xu Cang's face. At least it seemed that the ICAO commissioner was not coming for him, so he became bolder and asked, "Have you found any problems?"
"Where's the maintenance log?"
"It's in the cabinet under the seat next to you." The captain pointed, and perhaps to prove that he was not perfunctory, he added: "Before takeoff, this aircraft has no engine-related DD items."
Xu Cang did not respond to this. He lowered his head and rummaged through the cabinet, and soon found the maintenance book.
This Boeing 777-200 is the oldest model of the 777. Of course, for a 777, even the earliest model is relatively new.
Although the Boeing 777 was fully put into commercial use after Xu Cang's Daocheng test flight, this Boeing 777 has actually been in operation for three years. Any large passenger aircraft will conduct test flights before general commercial flights, and the duration varies.
Some major airlines will get a batch of Boeing 777s with limited airworthiness in advance. The so-called limited airworthiness means that these Boeing 777s can only fly designated routes and must follow higher standards in crew selection.
The previous problem with the Boeing 777 was on a route involving the polar regions, otherwise Xu Cang would not have needed to conduct another test flight in the conventional sense.
As a major European airline to receive the first batch of Boeing 777s and undertake the trial operation mission.
At first, the captain was quite relaxed, after all, there was nothing unusual in the cockpit. But seeing Xu Cang was so concerned, he began to feel a little nervous.
There won’t really be any problem!
The title of ICAO flight specialist is still very valuable.
Xu Cang silently flipped through the maintenance book. Some faults did not appear suddenly, and there might be some signs before. If there were any problems before, the crew or maintenance staff should have recorded them in it, which was a very useful reference.
However, it is obvious that this machine has just been replaced. There are only records from the last half month or so.
Xu Cang finished reading it in just a few minutes and found nothing suspicious in it.
"Am I really too suspicious?" Xu Cang said to himself.
He said this in Chinese, and the captain didn't understand, but he basically guessed what Xu Cang was doing, and added: "I've never heard of any problems with this plane before."
"Really?" Xu Cang thought about it and felt that it was not a good idea to conclude that there was something wrong with the plane: "Come with me and take a look at the engine. Then you will understand why I am here."
"Ah? Is that so?" The captain glanced at the co-pilot and didn't hesitate for too long: "Then you watch the plane, I'll go out for a while."
At this time, the cockpit regulations were not strict. Otherwise, a single crew member would not be allowed to stay in the cockpit later.
Xu Cang put the maintenance book on the chair at the back and came out first, followed by the captain.
Obviously the cabin manager didn't expect the captain to come out and was a little surprised.
Without waiting for the cabin manager to say anything, the captain said to him, "I'll go to the economy class. You guys watch the cabin door."
After saying that, he pushed Xu Cang and said, "Mr. Xu, let's go."
Xu Cang did not stop, but opened the curtain and went directly to the economy class. When passing by the first class cabin, the marketing director was full of questions, why did he call the captain out?
What Xu Cang wanted the captain to see was not anything else but the flickering light in the air intake of the No. 2 engine.
In fact, Xu Cang still can't figure out what this thing is.
Even Xu Cang couldn't understand it, so most ordinary pilots would be confused too.
Under the astonished gaze of the economy class passengers, the captain leaned close to the window with his brows twisted into a "川" shape.
"Do you know what's going on?" Xu Cang deliberately lowered his voice to avoid making the matter worse.
The captain shook his head: "Let's go back to the cockpit."
It is not a good idea for the crew to stay in the cabin for a long time, as it can easily cause misunderstandings among passengers, and in the worst case, it can cause panic. At least this is not a good place to talk.
Xu Cang also agreed with this statement and took the lead to walk forward.
Before entering the cockpit, the captain paused and told the cabin manager, "Send David over."
David is the second captain of this plane. For such an ultra-long-haul route, two crews are definitely required. The Boeing 777 has a special crew rest area, and I guess the other captain is still sleeping.
The cabin manager was stunned. This was not a good sign: "Captain, is there any problem with the plane?"
"Just call David over." For questions that have not been confirmed, it is better not to tell the flight attendant. It is easy for outsiders to fantasize and then scare themselves.
After saying that, he went straight into the cockpit without talking to the cabin manager.
Xu Cang followed in without saying a word.
The two of them sat down, and the captain had no other expression on his face except confusion: "Mr. Xu, is that what you are worried about?"
"Isn't that worth worrying about?" Xu Cang said in a deep voice: "There is no ice accumulation, no volcanic ash, and the fire is very strange."
"Maybe it's the reflection of moonlight or starlight?" The captain guessed, "As the plane moves, the reflection angle changes, so the light appears and disappears from time to time?"
The captain's guess was not without reason. The engine air intake was polished very smoothly, so there was indeed a possibility of reflection. However, Xu Cang found this statement a little hard to accept.
"The engine data are all normal..." The captain did not say the rest, but the meaning was already very clear, that is, let's forget about it.
Indeed, judging that there was an engine problem based on a flash of light that came from nowhere was really a case of suspicion. Moreover, the plane had no engine-related problems recently, and there was no evidence to support it.
"Where are you now?" Xu Cang suddenly asked, "If we need to make an emergency landing, is there any large airport nearby?"
The captain's expression changed slightly. "If we need to make an alternate landing, the only major airports nearby that can be used for an alternate landing are Vienna and Belgrade. However, given the current situation, an alternate landing is impossible."
Xu Cang was also a pilot, and from the perspective of most pilots, this matter was a bit outrageous. In fact, Xu Cang himself had lost some confidence.
When he was in the first class cabin before, he could still vaguely feel the vibration of the plane, but he could hardly feel it when he entered the cockpit. This meant that the vibration was actually very weak and did not seem to be any evidence of a malfunction.
"I've asked another captain to come over. For the next three hours, both of us will be monitoring in the cockpit. How about this?" The captain said, "If there is a malfunction within three hours, we can make an alternate landing in Istanbul."
This is the greatest respect the captain gives to Xu Cang.
The dual-captain cruise was carried out for an unknown light, which was due to Xu Cang's identity as an ICAO flight specialist, otherwise he would have ignored it.
"Three hours." Xu Cang thought about it and agreed with the captain's opinion.
If there was really a problem with the plane, the three-hour fermentation time would have basically confirmed it. There were two captains watching in the cockpit, so I thought there would be no problem. Neither the crew nor the airline would accept making an emergency landing just because of a flash of light.
"That's it." Xu Cang felt that he could accept the captain's suggestion: "Thank you for your hard work, I'll be leaving first."
The captain nodded: "If there is anything unusual, I will inform you in time."
"It's troublesome."
Xu Cang was just about to leave when he saw the open maintenance book on the chair behind him and wanted to close it and put it back in the cabinet.
But suddenly, Xu Cang saw that the opened page recorded a routine engine maintenance.
This is not a fault record, just a routine periodic maintenance. Of course, the problem is not the maintenance, but something else.
The captain thought Xu Cang had gone out, but there was no movement. He turned around and saw Xu Cang staring at the maintenance book in a daze. He was about to ask, but heard Xu Cang ask: "Isn't the engine of your plane GE90?"
The captain nodded and said, "Yes, it's not GE90, it's PW4000-112."
"PW4000-112?"
Not long ago, Xu Cang heard about this engine model, because the future Boeing 787 will use an improved model of this engine. However, at the moment, it has nothing to do with the Boeing 787. In Xu Cang's memory, something happened between the combination of PW4000-112 and Boeing 777, and it was a concentrated outbreak of flight accidents.
Xu Cang suddenly understood the engine light that had puzzled him before. He thought of a possibility and shouted, "Not good!"