For those of you out there that might like some technical questions answered or concerns addressed from my perspective regarding anything to do with flying, feel free to ask. If you're interested, I'll follow on with some of my Aviation background.
 
I'm 50 years old and hold a pocket full of FAA certificates ranging from Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Engineer, Instructor, Examiner, Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic with Inspection Authorization, etc.
 
I have flown with four major airlines over the past 22 years. I have checked out as Co-pilot, Relief Captain or Flight Engineer on seven transport category aircraft ranging from a DHC-7 to 747-400. I'm not sure exactly how many hours of flight time I have now, but I stopped keeping a record after exceeding over 10,000 hours.
 
I have flown virtually everywhere... you name it. From domestic spots like Detroit or LaGuardia to more exotic destinations like Den Pasar, Mumbai, Amsterdam and everywhere in-between.
 
I started off by trying to go into the military for training but my eyesight was just a little bit off. So I had to go the civilian route and paid for all my own flight instruction out of my own pocket.
 
I am currently working as a line pilot for Northwest Airlines. I have been with NWA for 15 years. My pilot seniority number allows me to hold the position of DC-10 Second Officer.
 
I'm the "third guy" that you see on the flight deck of the older and larger model jet transports. My job is to run the systems on the airplane, complete all the check lists, keep the fuel, electricity and hydraulic fluid going to the right places, fill out mountains of paperwork, coordinate the Inertial navigation systems and make sure the two guys sitting three feet in front of me are going the right way and flying a safe airplane.
 
I spend half of my time either flying trips or Instructing at the NWA training center in St Paul, Minnesota. I spend my days teaching my brethren line pilots how to do their jobs in those big moving simulators that you hear about. After about a month of very intense training, I then administer a test or "Check Ride" to the pilot applicant. If all goes well I issue them an FAA Flight Engineer license. I also go on trips with the crews to perform line checks and provide Initial Operating Experience to new Second Officers. Better known in the industry as "baby sitting time."
 
The DC-10 holds about 275 passengers and a crew of 11 (three Pilots and eight Flight Attendants.) The airplane has an average takeoff gross weight of about 555,000 pounds, can hold up 36,500 gallons of fuel and can fly for about 13 hours on a full tank. It has three massive engines that each produce about 50,000 pound of thrust.  The DC-10 is an older airplane and is soon to be removed from passenger service. It will be replaced with a newer aircraft of equivalent size and weight carrying capability. NWA is using the Airbus A-330 to replace the DC-10.
 
I found out about this site while trying to help out a friend who is having some problems with flying. Looks like Captain Tom and Lisa are doing a great job to help people out and this is a great organization to help work out those fears.
 
Drop me a note if you have any questions. michaulk@comcast.net
 
Al