A-340 Flugzeugführer
On a trip to Europe in 1994, I booked on Lufthansa, to be able to fly on the then-new (and, at least then, very large)
four-engine Airbus, the A-340, which had recently been introduced on LH flights from Washington-Dulles to Frankfurt.
On the return flight from Frankfurt, I caught sight of the Captain visiting with passengers in the cabin. Capt. Körte
presented the perfect picture of the proud, professional Germanic aviator, and I noted he'd make a good photo subject.
It was one of those photo-perfect days for high altitude flight, with a deep blue sky rising above some cumulus puffs far below.
Again, it was 1994, and one would never consider doing this now, but I explained to the Purser my interest in airplanes and
aviation photography and that I was new to the A-340, and asked if it might be possible to briefly visit the flight deck for some photos.
She took my request, and, a few minutes later, I and my cameras were invited up to the flight deck.
As she opened the cockpit door, Captain Körte turned around in the left seat, cordially greeted me, offered me
some chocolates, and welcomed me to the flight deck, also introducing me to his First Officer, Hartmut Eggers.
Capt. Körte was enthusiastic about the attributes of his new A-340 and, for the next while,
he and F/O Eggers explained many of the aspects that made this large aircraft so pleasant to fly.
As we began to descend into U.S. air space, the captain told me it would be necessary to return to the cabin,
but the time spent with these two highly professional airmen – and the photos taken on Captain Körte’s A-340
flight deck – will always be a memorable flight, and photographic, experience. Indeed, ten years later, I included it,
along with the photo, in an article I wrote for “Airliners” Magazine, entitled “Confessions of an Airplane Lover.”
May I now share the photo, once again, with my friends in Foto-Community.
From a Fujichrome transparency.
Photo, Design, and Narrative ©1994/2011 Steve Ember
Comments
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Sally Dunn 27/07/2011 21:04
Yes, I agree with Sabine, you wouldn't get so much as a nail file on an aeroplane now and probably a jolly good job too in this day and age! But it's a great picture of a very proud, professional and perfect pilot (hopefully!) that you have managed to capture and a fantastic opportunity for you. I have never had the nerve to ask, come to think of it, I have never even seen the pilot show his face! For all I know it could be Jeremy the cabin steward that tells me how high up we are flying and what speed we are doing!! ;)))Hugs
Sally
s. sabine krause 18/07/2011 10:17
if you had told us, this was a last-frontier test pilot checking his instruments before taking off into outerspace to explore and conquer its unknown widths for us… ; )) – well, i would have believed that, too!! that baby-blue glow just outside the windshield makes one sense the frightening vastness of the universe… thank god for a captain with a hawk's eye (and nose… ; )) and an aura of reliabiltiy, and thank you for those good old naive times before sky air marshals and fear of dubious liquids and nail scissors… ; ))! greetings, sabine.Steve Ember 18/07/2011 9:22
Thank you, Viola, for your lovely comments. To respond, I myself had no idea such visits were possible in flight - certainly they were not allowed at the time on U.S. carriers - but a year before, I had enjoyed the same privilege on a Swissair 747 returning from Europe. The Swiss, I think, are similarly regarded in terms of love for order, and it was, as I recall, a Swiss-Germanic (speaking of stereotypes!) flight deck crew...I think the answer most likely had to do with being civilized and polite in making the request - perhaps decent attire and hygiene also was helpful ;-)
But it was also a, shall we say, saner and gentler time in terms of the commercial flying experience, back then.
Kind regards,
Steve
viola d 18/07/2011 9:11
You must be a very convincing man if you managed to persuade the German crew (and, thinking in stereotypes, Germans are famous for their love for order:)) to break the strict rules and regulations and let you take a peek at them working. No doubt - a memorable experience. The picture against the light enhances the great photogenic profile of the Captain , marking a person of a strong and forceful character.And I love these glasses - also very typical for pilots - or am I thinking in stereotypes again?:)) Bw, Viola