- Many still have a bad feeling when flying with Germanwings
- When the travel documents arrived: "Oh God ... even if I see the Germanwings logo ..."
- At the airport: "This is our machine? Is it looking good?"
- On the plane: "Oh, the pilot says something, what's that?"
- After landing: relief
Many still have a bad feeling when flying with Germanwings
We all still remember the terrible plane crash of the Germanwings machine in March 2015. Still, we do not need to feel queasy about flying now.
Finally vacation time. The destination is selected, the flight booked ... but wait ... that's a flight with German Wings ...
I'm ashamed of that, but I had such a train of thought when I flew to London with a friend a few weeks ago. It's really unbelievable what happened to the 150 people aboard Flight 4U9525. By comparison, my worries are of course ridiculously small. But I saw myself a few weeks ago with the thought and thought, maybe I'm not alone with it.
I was really looking forward to the holiday - but that flying with Germanwings made me feel uneasy.
Why?
I've never been a big fan of flying (except for the great view over the clouds ...), but I'm actually a long way from fear of flying. No, it was really the name "Germanwings", which made me restless and while my stomach became more and more freaky, my mind just shouted "Come on, everything's fine!"
But the thought carousel was already in full swing.
When the travel documents arrived: "Oh God ... even if I see the Germanwings logo ..."
I saw the Germanwings logo so many times back in March. Your own pictures cut with the orange-red stripes for articles. Phew, a dull feeling in the stomach.
"Stop, " my mind screams. "Honestly, EVERY airline could have happened, Germanwings and the logo have nothing to do with it!"
Yes, that's right. In addition, Germanwings has also responded immediately and tightened the cockpit rules. Now at least two crewmembers always have to be in the cockpit. That was not mandatory in European aviation before - and yet something like that did not happen before.
At the airport: "This is our machine? Is it looking good?"
Airplanes are thoroughly checked before every flight. They are checked for externally visible damage or leaks. The ramp check is done daily on planes, where mechanics test individual functions of the aircraft, check tires and brakes, and refill oil and hydraulic fluid. And that's more than we do on a car trip with our car.
In addition, aircraft are regularly maintained and thoroughly checked:
A-Check: Every 250 to 600 flight hours (approximately every two months), the machine is roughly maintained. In addition to the general controls inside and on the aircraft cover, there are further service checks as well as engine and functional checks. The machine does not have to be taken out of service.
C-Check: Approximately every 1.5 years, the aircraft is partially dismantled, checked, and reassembled. The machine will be taken out of service for about a week.
IL-Check: every three to five years, all elements of the aircraft are checked and renewed if necessary.
D-Check: The aircraft is completely overhauled every six to ten years. The machine is completely taken apart and reassembled and painted. This maintenance takes about four to six weeks.
On the plane: "Oh, the pilot says something, what's that?"
"In any case, he will be a top trained by Lufthansa pilot, " reassured me right back to my sanity.
In order to fly a plane as a pilot, you have to go through years of training. At the earliest, after five to seven years of theoretical and practical training, you can first become a captain. A pilot has to renew his license every six months - and for that he first has to prove that he is still physically, theoretically and practically up to par.
And with every flight, two of these top trained people are in the cockpit. And thanks to the new cockpit rules (see above), neither of them is ever alone during the flight.
After landing: relief
It is said, "He who falls from the horse should rise again immediately". When the flight accident with the German Wings machine was, I fell off my horse. Although I was not directly affected. I left the courage (or better say the "peace of mind") to board a plane. First right one of Germanwings.
I am glad that I did not let myself be confused. The holiday was great. And even the return flight - again with German Wings - was associated with much, much less thought carousel.
