Globe Cargo

I just got Just Flight's very intertesting DVD profiling Polar Air Cargo and am learning quite a bit about how its done in real life. But I am struck by something I saw repeatedly in the video. Several pilots used hand-held microphones to communicate with ATC instead of headset mics. I'm assuming during critical phases of flight the pilot-not-flying is still using headset mics to talk. But I still amazing that these hand held mics are installed at all. Is that a common feature/equipment in 747s and am I correct to assume the use of hand-held mics is used only in time-permissive situations? Just curious...

"Rick, you got me on that one, don't know why they would use those when headsets are available, maybe it has something to do with the production of the DVD? Anyhow, the hand-held mics would be in the aircraft anyhow. ie: when you choose to use a headset, it plugs into a jack that is meant for the headset, and the hand held mic stays in its normal place and stays plugged in. Good example is if you have a headset failure then you have the mic right there where it's supposed to be. Don't know if that helps?"

"I know in the 742, they use handsets to tell the hub station/airline the exact time of departure and off the block time etc.... once a positive climb is confirmed, this is usually completed by the Flight Engineer! Im not sure where else they would use them!"

"I've jumpseated hundreds of hours on various airliners (B727, L1011, A-320, B737, B757, etc..) and about a hundred hours on business jets and have seen pilots use both. It really seems to be personal preference. Hand mikes are installed and are required equipment. You have to have redundancy and what happens if a pilot forgets or breaks his headset. Our chief pilot uses a hand mike on our Global Express although it is very quiet up front. He just has always done it the way. http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0493081/L/"

Interesting. I have over 2600 hours of aircrew time in USAF 707 aircraft (non-pilot) and have never ever seen pilots use a hand mike...or ever seen a hand mike for that matter. I guess we learn something every day.