Jumpseat: The Brazilian Shuttle

Les Abend

Friday, August 23, 2013 at 06:48 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

** From the jumpseat of this A319, Les gets a
firsthand view of Brazilian flying.**

Key Takeaways:

The author experienced Avianca Brazil's São Paulo-Rio "shuttle," a domestic route characterized by flights between airports with exceptionally short and narrow runways in challenging urban and scenic environments.
The operation showcased significant differences from U.S. airline practices, including assigned pilot schedules, manual cockpit procedures, and the ability to offer cockpit jumpseats to non-pilots.
The flights highlighted the impressive skill of Brazilian pilots in navigating these demanding routes and the unique operational adaptations required for such challenging airports, such as reduced thrust takeoffs.

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It is not often that I am able to accept an invitation from a reader, but when 27-year-old First Officer Will Romualdo offered me a jumpseat view with Avianca Brazil, I could not refuse. For the last two months, I had been flying the daytime trip to São Paulo. The layover would afford me the opportunity not only to observe the operational intricacies of a non-U.S. airline but also to experience the Brazilian equivalent of the New York/Washington shuttle.

The Brazilian shuttle is between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro — a 40-minute flight. When I was new to the 777, I actually flew this trip with my airline. The flights were between the two international airports of Guarulhos and Galeão. The real shuttle is between São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport and Rio’s Santos Dumont Airport, both situated just to the south of their big brothers.