Santa's Little Helper: A Cargo Pilot's Christmas Eve

It makes perfect sense that Santa Claus would employ freight aircraft to help him with his Christmas duties. Here's an account of what a real cargo pilot goes through at the most wonderful time of the year.

jwanwest

Friday, December 04, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A new, rushed RNAV approach at the North Pole is critically flawed, causing the digital HSI course guidance to reverse after crossing the pole.
Modern contract pilots, reliant on automated systems, struggle to fly the broken approach as their equipment prevents traditional navigation methods.
An experienced "old dog" pilot guides the younger generation to adapt by applying old-school "backcourse" techniques and improvising solutions to ensure gift delivery.
The narrative highlights the crucial need for fundamental piloting skills and adaptability when technology fails or is imperfectly implemented.

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It was a dark and stormy Christmas Eve, just like it is almost every year. What were they thinking? Christmas should be in July.

I thought I was retired from working for the Big Man, but no. There was the text message in that green-on-red font. (How does he do that? Must be a deal with Apple.) I didn’t have to read the text; I could tell just listening to the howling wind outside. The weather was low and the kids hauling Santa’s bags to build their 1500 hours were in trouble. Santa was calling to the old dogs…meaning I had to go.