As we climbed toward our cruise altitude of FL 330, I asked my copilot for a printout of the weather at London’s Heathrow airport, our destination. I wanted a current report for my announcement to our passengers. We had just departed JFK.
A Windy Day for This 777 Captain
Weather conditions make for a turbulent ride.
Key Takeaways:
- The transatlantic flight to London Heathrow began with the pilot debating flight plan options with dispatch, balancing anticipated turbulence on a southern track against favorable tailwinds.
- During the captain's rest break, unexpected turbulence prompted the copilots to climb the Boeing 777 from FL 330 to FL 400, successfully finding smoother air and showcasing the aircraft's capability to climb out of turbulence.
- Approaching Heathrow, the crew navigated standard holding patterns and then faced a challenging continuous descent approach to Runway 27R amid strong southwest crosswinds, which the captain skillfully managed with precise, gradual control inputs for a successful landing.
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