HP 15CE Aviation Pac

[Geoff Quickfall]

Hi Max,

When I started with the airline in 88 there was nothing but nomographs. A small 2K on board computer called a PMC (performance management computer) and of course the INS with a whopping RAM for 9 waypoints.

So automating calculations and creating flight plans on the go with the 41CX was the way to go.

Of course the 67, 77 and 87 all have flight management computers but still, QRH landing performance on the 67 was still nomographs.

77 and 87 have the onboard electronic library which had a calculator (basic) and did the calculations for T/O and LDG but it was nice to check against an independent source.

Confirming on board, that my TAS, IAS, MACH, Optimum altitude routines where all comparable to the on board systems was great.

But the requirement for waypoint passage with track and distance fell by the wayside when a reroute ocurred. So out comes whatever programmable HP I had with me and one independent confirmation was then completed.

Even at retirement on the 787 I was mentally calculating the descent start point and the descent checks every 5000 feet to ensure the computer had not lost the plot.

Cheers, Geoff