Boeing 747-400
Join Virgin Atlantic on a flight
from London Heathrow
International Airport,
to San Francisco, USA
In this comprehensive look at the mighty Boeing 747-400 you join Captain Alan Carter, First Officer Allan Rattigan and First Officer John Cullom. Our journey begins at London Heathrow International Airport (EGLL), in the crew despatch office for pre-flight preparations.
Journey preparations
Captain Alan Carter takes you through a detailed look at the preparations for our journey. This includes route information, weather, alternate airports, fuel and NOTAM information. We then proceed to our aircraft (G-VXLG) for the walk round followed by meeting the other flightdeck crew members. We then follow the departure brief, pushback, engine start and taxi. Our departure is a Wobun Two Foxtrot using runway 27R.
Multiple camera angles
During the takeoff on flight VS 19, you will see multiple camera angles showing the externals of the departure, forward view of the runway etc. Once established in the cruise Captain Alan Carter (Pilot Flying) gives you a guided tour of the B747-400 flightdeck. Systems include the Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS), Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS), a detailed explanation of the engine start procedure and information on electrics, hydraulics, air conditioning etc.
Follow Air Traffic Control
First Officer Allan Rattigan also explains the takeoff performance calculations and how they are arrived at, guides you around the overhead panel and introduces you to the Flight Management Computer (FMC). First Officer John Cullom also shows you around the Mode Control Panel (MCP). We then follow the descent and approach brief for our Golden Gate Four arrival into San Francisco International Airport (KSFO) using runway 28L. During our flight you will be able to follow our Air Traffic Control, briefings and checklists.
Captain Alan Carter
Alan born in England in 1963. After completing his "A" levels, whilst also training for his PPL at school, Alan attended the Oxford Air Training School and completed his CPL/IR. Then when he was just 19 he was given a job by Dan Air Services as a co-pilot on the BAe 748 twin turboprop, based in Newcastle and later at London Gatwick.
Transfer to Boeing 727
Alan operated both scheduled and charter passenger flights as well as freight contracts around the United Kingdom and Europe. Three years later Alan transferred onto the Boeing 727 aircraft operating charter flights throughout the Mediterranean.
Joining Virgin Atlantic
Alan remained on the Boeing 727 until November 1989, his last flight was into Berlin's Tegel airport the night the wall came down. He then left Dan Air and joined Virgin Atlantic on the Boeing 747-100/200 fleet as a co-pilot. Alan was promoted to Captain in 1994 at the age of 30. In February 1996 he was transferred to the Boeing 747-400 fleet.
Virgin Atlantic Airways
Virgin Atlantic was founded on 22 June 1984 and has become Britain's second largest long haul airline serving 20 destinations.
Innovative Service
The airline's aim is to provide the highest quality and innovative service at excellent value for money for all classes of air travellers. Now based at London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports, it operates long haul services from Heathrow to New York (Newark and JFK), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, Miami, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Athens, Johannesburg, Shanghai, Chicago and Delhi. Virgin also operates the following services from Gatwick to Boston, Orlando, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Newark and Athens. Virgin Atlantic also operates a service from Manchester airport to Orlando.
Each video in this new range offers the following exciting features:
Digital Stereo Audio
Experience stereo audio of the highest quality. All the audio for the Platinum Collection programmes is recorded using the latest digital audio recorders to bring you crystal clear audio enjoyment.
Digital Video
We are proud to introduce you to the latest in digital video technology. The Platinum Collection range of programmes will all be shoot on digital video tape to ensure the highest quality pictures available to us. We have always been at the forefront of modern technology to bring you the very best in quality aviation viewing.
Digital Editing
The Platinum Collection are all edited "in-house" in our own digital edit facilities which brings us the added advantage of been able to take time to bring you more great programmes from our already established aviation programme family.
Multi-Camera Shoot
This range of programmes are all recorded using a minimum of six, full broadcast, digital cameras to ensure the very best in viewing. By utilising six cameras we are able to bring you the variety of shoots that you would expect from an ITVV programme - the next best thing to being there!
Air Traffic Control
Listen into the air traffic control at the most important phases of our flights - again using digital audio you can hear the actual audio that the pilots themselves hear.
Join the flightdeck crew
By bringing you this wide variety of pictures along with stereo audio in this exciting new range you will feel as though you are actually a part of the flightdeck crew! Witness the tension as the aircraft is rolling down the runway or on the approach into land.
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