AND FINALLY: All in a day’s work

A Ukrainian pilot applauded as a hero last week after he landed a damaged Airbus A320-200 although barely able to see the runway through the shattered cockpit windscreen told reporters it was all in a day’s work.

Captain Alexander Akopov landed the AtlasGlobal aircraft with 121 passengers at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport after the nose was severely damaged shortly after take-off by hailstones the size of chicken eggs. He used the side windows so he could see for the landing.

His reaction afterward: “I have been flying for 30 years. Well, did you see the plane landing? Was it OK? The passengers are alive. It is normal. This is our professional reliability.”

Sounds fine, until you see the picture. Moral: Do not take your flight crew for granted.

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