An experienced Qantas pilot says he's aware of 'maybe three' engine failures in 15 years, which consists 'millions' of flying hours.
Maydays are normally reserved for the most urgent incidents — its use yesterday sent emergency services rushing to Sydney Airport and caused a media frenzy.Vice president of the Australian and International Pilots Association, Mark Hofmeyer, backed the decision, saying the pilots on board were "well within their rights" to make the call."So we're talking millions of flying hours," he said.
A former Qantas pilot, he did not want to speculate on what occurred, but said many things can cause an engine to fail. Mr Tonkin, however, said planes were certified to fly on one engine for lengthy periods of time and pilots are trained in what to do in the event of a failure. A pan-pan call — derived from the French word for "breakdown" — signifies an urgent situation that does not pose immediate threat to the vessel or life.
Mr Hofmeyer praised QF144's crew, who later downgraded their distress call to a pan-pan, saying it was "fair and reasonable" to do so.
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