The Gimli Glider

DEFPOTEC · Post by **DEFPOTEC** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:10 pm

that's right.

Phlyer · Post by **Phlyer** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:39 pm

Given the choice, I'd take the front slide.

linecrew · Post by **linecrew** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:48 pm

Same aircraft this past January:

amraam · Post by **amraam** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:11 pm

Isn't this the last non-ER 767-200 in Air Canada's fleet? Does anyone know if Air Canada has anything special planned for it's retirement? Sure would be nice to see it sitting in a Canadian museum instead of being scrapped.

amraam

golden hawk · Post by **golden hawk** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:56 pm

Actually, it's going to be in "The National Museum of the Metric System"

Mitch Cronin · Post by **Mitch Cronin** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:59 pm

Yes, 604 is still going strong... No, she's not the last '67-200 in the fleet, we probably still have 8 to 10 or so ... ?

I agree with the notion of retiring her to a museum, but I doubt anyone has the room she'd need indoors (outside would be a slow death). Heck, maybe someone should build a new building someplace and put her in there along with Transat's Azores Glider ...

sanjet · Post by **sanjet** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:48 pm

I wonder why they dont document this on Mayday (Discovery Channel). Seems like a perfect report for that show.

Edelweiss air · Post by **Edelweiss air** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:01 pm

sanjet wrote:I wonder why they dont document this on Mayday (Discovery Channel). Seems like a perfect report for that show.

I think they did or maybe it was another show but I have seen it on TV like 1 year ago.

newpilotwife · Post by **newpilotwife** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:18 pm

They made a poor movie a few years ago - the scene that made me laugh was seeing all these people run down the runway, trying to outrun the plane - why didn't they just turn and get out of its way?

60N30W · Post by **60N30W** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:40 pm

I agree with the notion of retiring her to a museum, but I doubt anyone has the room she'd need indoors (outside would be a slow death). Heck, maybe someone should build a new building someplace and put her in there along with Transat's Azores Glider ...

Mitch,

First of all it is AIR TRANSAT, second you are going to have to wait many years to get your hands on our glider!

Regards,

60N30W

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:34 pm

golden hawk wrote:Actually, it's going to be in "The National Museum of the Metric System"

Nice one!

gulfan · Post by **gulfan** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:36 pm

I always enjoyed this story:

http://www.wadenelson.com/gimli.html

linecrew · Post by **linecrew** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:47 pm

amraam wrote:Isn't this the last non-ER 767-200 in Air Canada's fleet? Does anyone know if Air Canada has anything special planned for it's retirement? Sure would be nice to see it sitting in a Canadian museum instead of being scrapped.

amraam

I seriously doubt Air Canada will want to celebrate the day that through a comedy of errors related to equipment failures and pilot error they almost lost a brand new plane loaded with their customers. I could be wrong though.

C-GPFG · Post by **C-GPFG** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:11 pm

Saw it today at YYZ. Was wondering why it's still painted in the old colours.

Mitch Cronin · Post by **Mitch Cronin** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:09 pm

60N30W wrote:you are going to have to wait many years to get your hands on our glider!

...ok, many years from now... ... but, but - It's not an easy feat, I'm sure, and yet here we are in Canada with two of the beasts! They've just gotta be parked side by side when they each do retire!

Cheers!

Mitch

rsandor · Post by **rsandor** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:11 pm

Coincidentally, the (Air Canada) mechanics sent from Winnipeg Airport in a van ran out of fuel on their way to Gimli and found themselves stranded. Another van was sent to pick them up.

classic

golden hawk · Post by **golden hawk** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:04 pm

clunckdriver wrote:Linecrew, you hit the nail on the head, this fiasco{and thats what it was} has nothing to do with Metric, or pounds of peanut butter in the tanks, it was, and is, a perfect example of piss poor decision making, poor command, and ego, The day after the other crew member stated quite loud and clear that "He should have walked of the aircraft" Nuff said, not a proud moment in Big Reds history. PS, dont bother to flame me folks, I was there the day after, took a stand against the "official line" and have put up with the flack for some time now! {translated, "fill the wings you stupid berk!}

I wouldn't say that the Metric system is 100% to blame, but the use of Metric measurements is definitely a significant contributing factor. They used an incorrect conversion, resulting in insufficient fuel. I'd say the improper implementation of Metric measurements is a better description.

IFRATC · Post by **IFRATC** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:43 pm

I do not discredit the skill and professionalism of the crew involved one bit. Being biased though, my disappointment lies in the lack of acknowledgement of the controllers involved in this situation. I personally worked with those involved and have listened to their accounts. Amazing team work on both ends of the mic. The controllers involved, having both the speed and decent profile of the aircraft were actually the first to calculate and inform the crew that they would NOT make YWG. Alternates within range were forwarded and optioned by the crew.
Again the crew did a fantastic job with what was presented to them. It is well documented and remarkable. I only wish that the general public new how much the controllers helped with information and calculations for the crew to make their decision.
When an aircraft is under a specific controllers juristiction that is his or hers BABY. They will do everything possible to see that bird come down safely when in distress. I will applaud the crew and the controllers involved.

IFRATC