English Subtitles
Welcome aboard my last flight to LA.
Joining me in the Cockpit, CPT Rainer Lange and SFO Matthias Baur.
We'd like you to join us on our adventures in the sky...
...as well as on the ground, when we explore Los Angeles on our clay off.
Nice to have you on board!
Matthias; we'll work as a team and look out for each other.
Ready for the departure briefing? _ Ok _
Departing from Runway 25Right our route is BIBOS 7G till 800 ft
or 5 miles, till waypoint Frankfurt FRD "which ever is later".
Followed by a right turn 276
"Incase of an engine failure"; we continue straight for 25 miles.
We'll climb to 5,000 ft just to be safe.
We're quite heavy today; to land back, we'd have to dump some fuel
As for aborting the take-off, we're close to our limits,
As we pick up speed reasons for aborting diminish.
In the end it's either; "engine fire or failure"...
...or "not flyable".
The doors in the rear are almost closed. It's looking good.
The weather report says; "light show, variable at one."
temp: -2°C to -4°C
We're all set
We're scheduled for 45mins past the hour - we won't make that -
Lets read the cockpit checklist, meanwhile
So, I'm out.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen...
This is your captain Norbert Wölfle speaking.
Welcome aboard. With me are CPT Rainer Lange...
...and senior first officer Matthias Baur.
We're happy to have you...
and hope you feel comfortable.
We'll be ready for take-off shortly.
Due to the cold weather...
...the plane has to be de-iced what will consume some time
But we should still arrive on time.
I'll keep you informed throughout the journey.
Thanks for your attention.
I haven't needed to de-ice for four or five years.
I was in Dubai last week...
...and I had to de-ice.
Many flights were cancelled that day.
This new electronic Flightbag is really great - you're right -
Just wonderful
Cockpit come in.
Can we unplug the ground power?
- Yes-
The load sheet reports, we've got dogs on board.
So set the temperature to 15°C.
Our plane's been de-iced and we'll be departing shortly.
One pack (air-conditioning) is back on - perfect -
Is there anything behind us?
Yes the colleagues on position A19 just finished pushing
It would be nice if it were our turn.
What about pushing after the A321? Standby, there's still traffic behind.
And one more going out - so expect one more minute.
After them, it should be our turn, finally.
Lufthansa 456 behind the next outbound A321, pushback approved behind
Do you see the A321? _ _
One A321 just left, was this the mentioned plane?
No, the mentioned plane is just leaving from pos. A1
His engines are already up so, there's half a minute left
Great, thanks.
Gear pins inserted, brakes released, pushback and engines, ready to start
Great, off-block-time is 25 and the reason for delay should read "de-icing".
Engines four and three; start.
Pushback finished, please set brake
Brakes are on; remove towing equipment and steering pin.
Engines two and one; start.
Two and one are powering up more smoothly - right -
Everything has been removed
Prepare for takeoff, hand signal from the left, Thanks, bye!
Bye and have a nice day.
Lets go for the "after start items".
Check for the Flight controls.
I can see the pusher leaving.
Flight / Registration Aircraft / Parking Position
Date/ Departure Arrival / Duration
Passengers / Crew Distance/ Runway
Fuel / Quantity Weight / Acceleration
The Cabin is ready - great -
The Taxiways are almost dry - I'd agree -
Let's go for the Taxi-items
Taxi checklist
Flaps _ 20 _
Cabin report - received - - Taxi Checklist completed -
Departure route remains as discussed
as well as the details for aborting the take off
Holding point D West ahead.
Mild frontal wind.
Let's go for "take off items"
take off checklist
packs (air-condition) from engine 2 and 3 - off-
auto throttle - armed -
take off data - confirmed -
Everything as planned.
LH 456, Wind 280° with 5 knots, runway 25R, cleared for take off
LH 456, cleared for take off on RW25R
- Ta ke off
Take off power set
-80 knots - checked -
'SQ
-rotate
-gear UP
The left autopilot is in control, now.
Nice! Sunshine ahead.
We'll pass this plane - that won't take long -
they are just a bit slower than us
Peter! (The Purser) Norbert!
Only 10 more hours and we are there...
You are taken care of? - Everything is fine -
I'll make my announcement. "You have control? I'm out!
Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain...
...with some flight information:
Our current altitude is 10,400 meters.
We've left Amsterdam behind us and will fly over the North Sea...
...over England, past Manchester and towards Ireland.
We'll be flying over Dublin...
...and across the Atlantic.
We'll reach the American continent at Labrador near Goose Bay.
We'll continue past Hudson Bay towards Chicago.
Then we'll pass Denver and Las Vegas onto our final destination Los Angeles
Enjoy your flight and make yourselves comfortable.
I'll be back with a weather report shortly before touch down
Thanks for your attention
Ok, I'm back. Nothing new, over here.
I'm looking forward to LA; 21°C and sunny!
We've received our clearance data.
Our route corresponds with the dispatch calculations.
That's our flight number and our destination.
Here are the coordinates for our route across the Atlantic.
56° North, 20° West...
...57° North, 30° West...
...57° North, 40° West...
...and 57° North, 50° West.
Then over Canada we pass the waypoints LOACH and FOXXE.
This is our route clearance.
To be safe, we check it back with the data in our navigation Computer.
We've just received clearance for the North Atlantic route.
We'll mark the route on our map; the top is north and the bottom south.
This white area is Greenland and the blue patch is water.
Europe is on the right; Canada on the left.
We're flying from the point RESNO
...as Norbert just mentioned...
...to our first coordinate; 56° North, 20° West.
We head on to 57° North, 30° West.
This border divides the map.
The North Atlantic has two air Controllers:
Shannon on the European side, and Gander an the Canadian side.
As soon as we cross the border we'll have to call the Canadians.
Marking the route makes it easier to retrace.
There are so many crosses; it's hard to spot the coordinates.
This way our route is clear.
My most memorable moment was on 9/11 in 2001.
I was flying to Washington on a similar route.
When we first heard the news from New York...
...I realized, we couldn't proceed.
The Air control would reroute us to Gander, Goose Bay or Halifax.
Luckily we hadn't traveled far and still had enough fuel.
So we made a turn and flew back to Frankfurt.
It took me almost eight hours to get from Frankfurt to Frankfurt!
As it turned out, this was the best decision for this Situation.
We have to make one call on short wave radio.
All set!
Now he knows we're on our way.
Hang on; something's coming through!
This is our flight number.
This is our clearance data:...
That's 34,000 feet.
That means: report back at 34,000 feet.
The engines accelerate automatically. We needn't interfere.
Everything's fine - you're absolutely right -
Did the fuel stabilize? - We're still at 3.2 over estimate -
We'll arrive in 4.5 hours.
That's a total of 10:30 hours. We're slightly late, but still good.
Wake me up 90 minutes before landing and I'll be back in time.
You've control See you later.
No news from Air Traffic Control, Rainer.
Ok, I'm back - And "I have control" -
We'll be in LA in approx. 3.5 hours.
We're preparing ourselves what we can expect.
This is the current weather situation in Los Angeles and surroundings
Here you see the wind direction; 260° at seven knots -that's mild.
The runway is at a 250° angle so we have headwind.
A special Feature of Los Angeles Airport
we can't taxi "into" our parking position.
Instead, we'll be towed in to our docking station.
Parking is very narrow here; we have to do a 90° turn.
Even with our engine's idle the thrust would be so powerful...
...that objects on the ground can get blown over or damaged.
In LAX towing in is standard practice.
In some airports, taxiing is more challenging than flying there.
For example Amsterdam in Winter in bad weather -it's no joy!
Chicago, New York. Chicago particularly!
These airports are wonderful if the weather's good.
But in poor weather conditions taxiing is harder than flying there.
Often clearances are read out very fast.
They hit you with very fluent English -to put it politely.
You can't enquire too often.
If you enquire too often...
...your airline gets a bad reputation in Chicago or NY or LA.
For us, punctuality means to touch down early enough
so we reach the gate at the issued time
Our touchdown time is irrelevant.
It's all about when we arrive at the gate.
And it looks like, we'll make it today.
Hopefully
We just received a telex.
It reads telex, LAX, station.
Our colleague has written: Dear Crew, gate no. 104...
That's our docking station, just as we expected.
South side and tow in.
So we'll be towed in as expected.
See you on the ground means: greetings and see you later.
Now we'll send our reply.
We'll write to "S" for station, LAX is LA. Thank you for info.
The abbreviations mean less typing!
Then we've put our ETA at 20:30.
Our latest estimated time of arrival is 8.03pm.
I've also put "see you on the ground", then my name and greetings from the crew.
Now I'll press "send" and it will arrive in LA shortly.
Now air traffic control (ATC) knows that after 7.5h in the air...
...we still expect to arrive on time, or in fact 20mins early.
It's all running smoothly; that's important to the Controllers.
A jumbo like this one has a narrow turnaround.
Only two hours in LA.
It's like a Formula One pit-stop.
It has to be fast, safe and precise.
We only earn when we're in the air.
We're at latitude 46° North.
Just like southern Germany, only the winters are longer and colder.
They have no Alps as a barrier.
Unbelievable: 100 knots!
We have a tailwind of 107 knots on a westbound flight!
That's very rare.
Hence our short flight of 10.5 hours.
Usually we have winds coming from the west.
When we land in LA we'll have to adjust our clocks.
They go back by nine hours.
I prefer traveling west as it makes the clay longer.
The afternoon can feel long with a nine hour time difference.
For me it's easier that way round.
Which ever way I've traveled, I stay up and adapt to the time.
It makes a difference if I'm there for 48 hours...
...or if my departure is scheduled for the same time the following day.
It's normal to wake up in your first night.
I fall asleep again easily.
Sometimes I read a bit.
Or I watch American TV; that sends me straight off to sleep.
Only 2.5 more hours; that's good going.
The ground is thick with snow. Well I never!
Two hours twenty till LA.
A passenger asked me about flying a go-around, lately.
Go-around maneuvers can have various reasons.
Nowadays it's often due to congestion.
The plane in front...
...might still be on the runway.
Passengers will find it unusual.
The engines rev up.
The landing-flaps are retracted.
We gain height and the undercarriage retracts.
All those sounds and motions.
You think you're landing...
...and then you take off again.
Passengers usually feel uncomfortable.
But it's a standard maneuver, which we often practice in the flight simulator.
That's it. It's like any other takeoff or landing.
Matthias is back from sleep.
So I got to go...
Norbert, I'm unbuckling! - 0k -
- Did you get some sleep? -Yeah -
That's a novel boarding technique!
Up ahead are the Rockies.
Can you see the white peaks? - Yeah -
We'll fly straight above them. - Beautiful -
We're currently under Denver control.
We've got our flightlevel of 38,000 ft, as expected.
You're back now aren't you? - I'm back -
- What great weather. -Beautiful.
The view is spectacular. - Wonderful -
It's still fascinating after all these years.
Whether it's Greenland or the Rockies; flying is always wonderful.
It's rarely this snowy. Now I want to ski!
I hiked through the Bryce Canyon! - We only drove along it-
It almost beats the Grand Canyon in terms of landscape.
We're approaching LA.
Time to discuss our landing route.
From Las Vegas, we head towards a radio beacon named HECTOR.
Then we follow this path to LA.
The route is programmed...
...into our flight management system (FMS).
This might be interesting:...
The red digits mark minimal altitudes in feet.
13,500 feet.
The landing situation in LA is atypical.
Just before our descent we have to cross the mountains.
We need to always observe our altitude.
Hence the altitude requirements.
For example GRAMM requires 21 to 17,000 feet above.
And so forth all the way to LA.
The Point GAATE requires 5000ft. That's a normal ILS approach.
The minimum altitude for runway visible is 310 feet. We'll set that.
-310. -Yeah.
Our expected runway 25L measures 3,382 meters;
That's plenty and we have dry conditions.
So, with our current weight, of 241 tons...
we will come to stop after 1800 meters.
It's more than we need, so we are on the safe side.
In the event of a go-around
...as we mentioned earlier
...we'll climb straight till 800 feet.
Then we'll take a 190° left turn on a 210 radial...
...and head to CATLY at 2,000 feet.
I doubt this will occur, but we're well prepared.
We've memorized these details.
Because, if it happens, there will be no time to check maps!
We expect to land on Runway 25 Left.
We'll try to exit on taxiway H6 or H8.
And after crossing the runway 25 right...
we are almost at our parking position 104.
- Have they sent anything yet? -They sent the 104 and I confirmed.
The 104 is most convenient; because its so close to the runway.
We're about to fly over Lake Mead and the famous Hoover Dam.
Followed by Las Vegas.
- You have control, and I'll talk to our guests.
Dear Passengers, we've almost completed our journey.
Presently we're passing Nevada and Lake Mead.
In a few moments, you will have Las Vegas on your right.
We should be landing in LA in about 35mins.
Fortunately, we'll be arriving ahead of our schedule.
Our latest weather report confirms blue skies.
Temperatures are around 22°C.
I wish you a pleasant stay in LA. Thank you.
Las Vegas should be to your right.
- You rarely see it so clearly. -It's wonderful today!
You can even identify the black pyramid, the Luxor Hotel
LH 456 you are cleared direct GRAMM
That's very nice.
- We'll be flying in directly. -Direct GRAMM.
- We'll switch to the "approach card".
We've begun our descent.
We have permission to lose altitude to 29,000 feet.
This flightlevel will continually be revised...
...by Controllers in LA.
That means we can descend to...
...14,000 feet.
At HABSO altitude 14 or above, 25 left as expected.
It's all programmed.
- I'll switch a few lights on. -Please do!
Let's go for the approach checklist.
So far, so good.
Couldn't be better.
- You can see the airport. -Descend to 12, do you agree?
The airport is visible; the light patch straight ahead
After RIIVR, we may descend to 10.
- Till KRAIN. -Yes.
- LUVYN, Now we can descend to 10. -Yeah.
That's till KRAIN:..
...10,000 or above. Then we'll reduce to speed 250.
Maintain 10,000ft till KRAIN then descend to 9,000ft - ok -
I'll enter nine. _ Ok _
Once we've passed TAROC we can lower to 8,000.
-(Purser) Everything's fine back here. -I'll send you a signal as well.
Nine or above, that's fine.
DYMMO, we can proceed to 8,000.
I'll switch on the localizer.
FUELR - I'll enter seven.
We'll pass GAATE with flaps 5, and same speed as required.
Ready for 5,000? _ Ok _
- Flaps 1 and maintain speed. -Flaps one.
- Cabin ready.
L:'l EIOPK5 ,5
- I'll go back a bit. _ Ok _
We are cleared for ILS arrival.
LH 456, resume at normal speed you are number one for RW 25L
Because I like it that much, I am switching to "manual flight".
It's beautiful indeed!
- Another five? -Yes.
Final Checklist
Speed brake - armed -
-not yet
- Speed brake armed
- Gear - down - - Flaps - 30 -
-checklist complete -clear to land
-1000 - checked -
- Approaching 25L
-400
-300
- Approaching minimums
-200
- Minimums - continue -
-100
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10
- Manual brakes -we can get one earlier than KLM
- Second right? -That's right.
-80 knots
Very nice!
After landing items at anytime for you
LH456 in exit P - hold short for crossing runway 25R
(Purser) Captain Wölfle and his crew now say goodbye
Hold short of P P is the next right.
There's still one there.
Next is the mentioned crossing of runway 25 Right!
- Well done landing.
- Not bad. -It's good.
- Shutdown engine 3 - thanks -
By shutting down engine N03, we save fuel
There's another pushback proceding at the gate.
LH 456 on P, cross runway 25R and Contact LA ground on 121,75
All clear on the right? _ Ok _
By turning a little bit, I can overlook the scene
LH456 this is LA ground what's your gate? - 104 -
turn right on "B", then "C10" and taxi to the gate
"C 10" is next, then we'll cross.
(Purser) If you haven't changed your watches; the local time is 12.05am.
We've landed 20mins ahead of schedule.
- All clear on the right. -Gate 104
- Normally, there should be someone to pick us up.
There they are.
It's a tight fit...
especially passing those jumbos.
Shutdown engine N02 - cut off -
- The strobes are still on. -You're right.
For today, we'll leave the (hydraulic) demand pumps "on".
Let's go for the parking items, please.
Brake is still set, confirm steering pin inserted.
Steering pin is inserted.
The arrival was gorgeous.
We have beautiful weather here.
We have snow in Germany.
We too, but up in the mountains.
Better in the mountains, than here. - right -
What's your fuel load? 9,8 tons remaining
What a nice welcome. - indeed -
We've arrived in LA! Please join us:...
Tomorrow morning we'll explore the city!
LA California; everything as it should be!
LA with great weather and snow mountains, that's unique.
It's beautiful today; I've known LA far smoggier.
Take a look! There's downtown LA.
What an amazing view.
You can't take it for granted.
Now we'll visit the Getty Museum.
The architecture's great.
So here we are, in one of the most special places at the Getty
it is restricted to public and everyday visitors
so we're having very interesting vantage points
behind, you see the museum below, there is an aerial view
of the garden, so it feels to me, if we would fly up it in the air
and we have the entire city in front of us
when I first came to the Getty, it felt to me,
as I have landed on the moon a place, I haven't seen before
the garden entry begins behind you all the way above
people from this vantage point look like little toy characters
wondering through, and at every point, they have a different perception
and at the very bottom, the artist Robert Irwin, who created the garden
has left us a message, the reward for going through the garden
"Never twice the same, always changing"
that's the reason, why I still work here at the Getty
and why people should come over, cause it's never twice the same
so, what do you think about this? - it is simply breathtaking -
My routine will change significantly...
...when I retire from flying.
I'll restructure my days
I'll take up more sport.
I'll do gymnastics and go hiking again.
That's a real passion of mine.
Hopefully, I was able to keep my promises.
In the distance lies Santa Monica.
We'll stop there for lunch.
This was also the place of our crew hotel in the 70s.
We'll meet up there in a moment.
Hello and welcome at the Shutters on the beach.
I'm Klaus Mennekes, manager of this hotel.
Congratulations to your 40th anniversary.
In California with my crew! Take a deep breath!
If we would set up Lufthansa-California, I would even make my type rating for A320
It's settled.
- Can I chose the outfit? -The outfit? Sure!
A touch down to remember is always LAX or San Francisco.
I've wanted to fly since I was 14 years old.
In 1970 Lufthansa got their first Jumbo and I knew, that will be my destiny.
I didn't opt for train driver, because I love being in the air.
The biggest sacrifice I made for the sake of flying...
...was my family.
My wife always encouraged and supported me, on my way
by also making a lot of sacrifices.
From this last flight, the crew will stay in my mind forever
I could always rely on my crews, especially on this one!
So, this is a perfect moment to also stay in my memory
"nuff said"
The first treat after this last flight
will be some recreation days with my wife, at the German Black Forest
- The weather is wonderful again. -It's brilliant!
- Was that a cabin message? -He said everyone's seated.
Engine 4 and 3 start
engine 2 and 1 start
parking break is set remove steering pin
and towing equipment. After start items, please.
Prepare aircraft for taxi and hand signal from the left.
As soon as I see him, I will check my flight controls
After Start checklist anti-ice -auto-
recall - checked - flight controls - checked -
After Start checklist completed. Taxi clearance, please.
All clear on the right. On the left as well.
C10 is ahead of us. - right -
Taxi items, anytime please.
All clear on the right.
- Let's speed up a bit. -Exactly
- Anyone coming? -No.
Full length (of runway) All data as calculated.
Flight number / Registration Aircraft / Parking position
Date/ Departure Arrival / Duration
Passengers / Crew Distance/ Runway
Fuel / Quantity Weight / Velocity
All clear.
LH 457 is now fully ready
LH 457 full length
LH 457 heavy 25R position and hold
Take off items, please.
Take off checklist packs - 2 and 3 off -
Auto throttle - armed - take off data - confirmed 25R -
-confirmed Take off checklist completed
- All clear on the right? -Yeah.
What's wrong? Why aren't they taking off?
We'll get started in a second
LH 457, wind 310°/4 knots runway 25R, clear for take off
457 heavy, clear for take off on 25R
-ta ke off
There's a westerly wind. - minimal -
-80 knots - checked -
'SQ
-rotate
'gear up ' gear up _
LH 457 SoCal departure, radar contact
maintain 1300ft do not exceed 280 knots
Gorgeous today
- Great! -Brilliant!
Great weather once again.
- Flaps 10 - flaps 10 -
-flaps 5 - flaps 5 -
-flaps 1 - flaps 1 -
-flaps UP - flaps UP '
The sun's glaring in. - absolutely -
the center autopilot takes over so I can catch a last good view
Look how beautiful it is down there.
In a minute, we'll pass Long Beach and The Queen Mary.
- The coast - how beautiful!
- It's amazing! -Really amazing!
- I've driven all around that area... -Great.
-...from Long Beach all along the coast. -It's fantastic.
- We're so lucky with the weather. -Yeah.
Ahead of us, The Queen Mary (hotel ship)
You can spot The Queen Mary down there.
In the water is a white egg-shaped building.
- To the left of that. -It's the ship with the red funnels.
We have a wonderful view of Long Beach and The Queen Mary.
In the distance you can see the mountains emerging.
I would come back right away -I would have stayed one day longer
LH 457, LA Center Control good afternoon resume normal speed and climb to FL 230
LH457, maintain speed climb and maintain Flightlevel 310
It hardly ever rains, down here - I agree -
Even if it rains at the coast, it doesn't rain here.
So, we've done everything.
The "only thing" we have left, is - eat - sleep - land -
-piece of cake
Looks like back in the old days of flight training.
How many times, did we pass this part with our Bonanzas.
- Did you also train on Beech Baron? -Yeah.
That plane was great fun! Very powerful.
It was almost like flying an airliner.
I'm leaving for my brake. For Rainer to come.
You have control. -I've got everything...
I'm all set.
We've got all we want. (route and level)
My last flight it coming to an end.
I don't think about it whilst I'm flying.
But I have to admit, it does play on my mind.
Looking back on my career, I have to say:...
Experience makes you more relaxed.
There are certain things...
...you can approach with more composure.
That's the Grand Canyon.
- That's it, isn't it? -Yes
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking:...
We've reached an altitude of 9,500 meters.
After our takeoff in LA we turned left.
We flew over Long Beach and Palm Springs.
We've past the Grand Canyon and we're heading for Denver.
We'll head for Canada, via Rapid City.
We'll pass Winnipeg...
...and Hudson Bay.
We'll pass Labrador and fly across the North Atlantic.
Our most northerly latitude will be 60°N.
We'll approach Europe via Northern Ireland.
We'll cross England and Manchester...
...and the North Sea...
...and on to Amsterdam, Cologne and Frankfurt.
Temperatures are around zero.
Snowfall has been predicted later on in the clay.
Make yourselves comfortable, and enjoy your flight.
I'll give you the latest weather report as we approach Frankfurt.
- We're at 33. -It looks wintry.
- The snow looks deep.
I'll miss flying jumbos most of all.
The difference is - when your neighbor asks "where you've been"...
...you can respond: Bangkok, Los Angeles or Dubai.
Once you're retired, your answer will be: "I've been to Aldi." (grocery)
That's the naked truth...
My dream for this day was...
...to retire the way I want to.
I'm looking forward to a good landing.
I hope it will go as well as my previous landings.
- I'm just going to the bathroom. -"I have control."
- I switched off the Center pumps. -1 see.
- We've been granted direct DUPREE -Great.
If we're lucky there'll be a nice sunrise. (jumping 5 hrs ahead)
Either way, I'm back.
I could request shortcut to NIBOG Let's try if they'll grant it.
- It would get us out of the wind. -That'd be good.
Perhaps we can smooth out that bend.
Shannon and Shanwick clears LH457 route from present position to NIBOG
It's working.
- That was a good idea. -It was a nice Direct.
- Have we saved any time? -Perhaps a minute.
- Breakfast is coming. -Let's have some fruits.
Great, thank you
LH457 direct REMSI
I have happy memories of my time as a commercial pilot.
A bit of nostalgia will always remain.
I was lucky to have this job for all of my working life.
That makes me happy and fills me with pride.
I won't miss the physical burdens:...
Long haul flights, time zones.
I'm looking forward to a more structured life -at home
I'd like to make up for some things.
I want to spend more time with my family; Over the years they missed out a bit.
I'm really looking forward to that.
I think this aspect will make my retirement fulfilling.
Is it worth, to ask for any shortcut somewhere?
It's always worth it; let's see what we've got.
London Control, may we ask for direct LAMSO
Due to traffic, I'm afraid, no. In fact, turn 5° to the right.
S...t! Turning right 5°. New heading is 120°
I should have kept quiet!
LH457 you are cleared for LAMSO
- That didn't seem worth it. -I didn't even see another plane.
I'll register us with Maastricht; to save another 80 Euro
That amounts to a few hundred Euros a month.
If you check in with their electronic information test...
...they knock 80 Euro off your overflight fee.
We'll take a look at our approach in Frankfurt.
The current weather report indicates no difficulties.
It's snowing easy; the runway is wet.
We're approaching from the Taunus and Cologne.
This is the standard approach for runway 07 left in Frankfurt.
We might also get Runway 07 Right.
This decision will be told very late; so, we don't know yet.
Both runways are 4km long, and very familiar to us.
I've done thousands of landings here...
...in Frankfurt over the years.
Sometimes under extremely windy conditions.
Or with "standing water", or heavy snowfall.
I believe we'll have a smooth approach, today.
Now for my last passenger announcement.
In about 30mins, we'll arrive in Frankfurt.
This is your captain wishing you a good morning.
We've almost completed our journey.
We'll be landing in 35mins.
Our arrival is almost punctual.
In Frankfurt you'll have to adjust to lower temperatures.
It is overcast with snowfall and temperatures...
...around -1°C.
I hope you've enjoyed your flight; have a nice day and thank you.
LH457, high-speed, leaving FL37O descending FL250 level at BEGOK
I switched the signs on.
"Maintain high speed"; that's music in our ears!
Germany looks completely white.
There's the river Rhine.
It's too cold to thaw.
Nice!
No delays.
(Purser) Our entertainment program has come to its end.
Cabin crew will come and collect your headphones
I forgot about that.
Direct to ETARU
We'll have to confirm that.
LH457 direct ETARU - correct -
LangenControl good morning passing Flightlevel 283
descending to 250 speed is Mach 8,6 or 340 knots
Good Morning, you're identified high speed approved
It feels like a straight approach.
- It feels like a "tiler approach". -Why not.
The works!
Tiler approach means; straight in.
Why is he lowering engine power, that early?
Maybe he's got confused by the wind.
We'll lend a hand.
The plane's also "only human."
Proceed direct to waypoint DF O52
That's almost exactly what we wanted.
Descend FL 150
The computer estimates touchdown at minute27, on time!
Very nice.
I'll switch the lights on.
Just what you'd wish for.
Which type of hospital flight are you?
As far as we know, we're no hospital flight at this moment.
Because we got this information from Maastricht Control.
On our way out, we had a patient on board.
We're returning with the empty hospital compartment.
I see, thanks.
But we still like priority routing.
Anyway, it's too late for holding now.
Speed 250 and a message from my boss: You're in luck today.
Speed 250 and thanks: "one needs a bit of luck."
- It'll get you home earlier. -That's right.
Frankfurt Arrival, good morning passing FL111, descending to 8000ft
At level 80 reduce speed to 230knots
I'll reduce a bit more than the computer.
Are you ready for briefing?
ILS is set to O7Left.
LOMPO 12.5m 4,000, final altitude 1630; 530 minimum
Runway is only wet, that's ok.
The go-around route is straight; NDB FR for 10 miles onto FRD?
...or 5,000 feet "which ever is later." Then left to Taunus, "maintain 5,000ft".
Frankfurt director good morning
Good morning, descend to 6000ft QNH is 1009 (Baro)
Approach checklist: recall - checked - altimeters - 1009 - 7900 current reading
auto brakes - 3 - checklist completed
Last chance to enjoy the sun, before it's gone.
Left turn onto heading 100° follow localizer for RW 07L
-flaps 1
-flaps 5
- Engine anti-ice one.
- Reduce speed to 170
-flaps 10
-flaps 20
Glideslope established setting 5,000ft for go-around
Next check-altitude is 1630ft.
Frankfurt Tower, good morning LH 457 established on ILS for 07L
your speed? - 170 knots - departing Lufthansa A340 ahead
- Manual throttle - Cabin ready
- Gear down
-flaps 30
- Manual flight - Vref + 5 knots
Final checklist speed brake - armed -
gear - down -, flaps - 30 - final checklist completed
final altitude is checked _ Ok _
-1000 -checked
We'll see the ground any moment.
- Approaching 07 left -approach lights ahead - ok -
LH 457 wind 020° 6knots max 11 cleared to land on 07L
-400
- wind is shifting left
-300
-approaching minimums -200
-minimums -continue
-100
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10
WOW!
The ground gives good brake performance.
I won't open the reverser too much.
Switching to manual brakes. - 80 knots -
The next exit with high-speed.
Captain Wölfle and his crew bid you farewell.
I'll lower the speed a bit; clue to the wet taxi-ways.
LH457 left turn and Contact 121,75
Retracting the flaps
- After landing items -It's looking good!
Do we have an assigned parking position?
I have no idea.
Turn left for taxi via "A", (31, and hold short on "N", no position for you yet.
Do you know the number of the position we are planned?
You were scheduled for 23 I will call you with the new position
hmm, welcome in Frankfurt...
- Turn off here to Golf 1. -Exactly
Yeah, after landing items
Still no parking position.
Let me try to ask the station directly.
This is the temporary parking area for planes waiting for their position.
LH 457 is calling the station, come in.
Isn't that 131,47?
Expect Position A19, there is pushback in progress. I call you.
A19, that sounds good. Thank you.
Shutdown engine N03.
At least, we can save some fuel.
Shouldn't we tell them, we are not there, yet?
Right. Let me give them a brief update.
Ladies and gentlemen...
Please remain patient, we'll be moving shortly.
Our parking position is about to be freed.
Behind the A321 from the right, continue via "N" to gate A19.
All clear on the right.
I'll switch on the lights, so they clear the road.
- It's quicker than I thought! -I was worried:...
Gate changes can take ages.
Contact 121,75. We wish you a happy retirement!
That looks great. We'll assume that it's all coordinated.
I'm banking on it.
Norbert, allow me...
...to salute your exemplary, accident free carrier.
With a fantastic final landing.
That's it. You joined us in LA. This was my final flight in my career.
This is the begin, of a new chapter in my life.
I wish my colleagues all the best, and many happy landings.
Just as I've been able to enjoy!
In 3.5h we'll arrive in Chicago.
We'll trim this part of the interview, right?
I hope you are exited to the result, I am eager.
Together, the flight will be
disregard...
I first saw Pil0tsEYE, when we were shopping for a new TV.
My wife values specialist retailers.
When the TV broke down, we went to the shop.
In the shop my wife said: do you know that man?
The salesman explained, that the program was filmed in a cockpit.
And it was our board-member and head of passage, Jurgen Raps!
That happened to me in my hometown Niederhausen too.
- It could have been a Loewe TV. -1 bought a Loewe.
- That's of interest to others. -At that time, we're still asleep.
We are at the Getty Museum and looking out for a nice Rembrandt.
Looking out for a nice Van Gogh.
- What's your opinion? -Nice to have you with us!
As a representative, I can't say that I'm not going to miss...the staff council.
Looking back: San Francisco and LA smell the best.
Hong Kong, San Francisco and LA taste the best.
San Francisco, LA, Buenos Aires and Hong Kong smell the best.
Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, San Francisco and LA taste best.
The cities I've flown to over the years are very special to me.
San Francisco, LA, Hong Kong and Buenos Aires smell best.
Buenos Aires, San Francisco, Hong Kong and LA taste the best.
Buenos Aires is the most entertaining.
Guess my favorite destination!
I feel like Loriot; the one with the wedding and the Pope.
We have a lot of laughs up here.
That's OK, isn't it?
We taxied to the gate.
Then came a very moving moment;
I shut the 4 engines down.
That's when I realized my career as a pilot was over...
...and I was entering a new chapter in my life
I had a great crew with me, who made it a pleasant journey.
We went for a meal together, my wife joined us.
She's looking forward to this new chapter.
I'm looking forward to it too.
I have a passion for flying jumbos so there is also a sense of loss.
My retirement hasn't taken me by surprise, so it's all OK.
It's hard to retire after so many years. -CPT Carl Siegel, head of operations ret.-
We've spoken about it often, and I've offered advice.
I retired two years ago, and it was one of the best things I ever did.
It's great! You enter the third chapter of your life.
You soon realize you can live without the company and without flying.
You've got your family, you can take up hobbies.
I've got grandchildren, and Norbert might have one soon too.
You discover new values to life. There's nothing to fear!
Neither of us fear the next phase. Many say it's the best part of your life.
That's how I see it.
We've had our ups and downs during 30 years of marriage.
That's normal. But we always got on well.
I love my husband, and that's all that matters.
Love helps you even understand when the company has priority.
As the passengers alighted, my friend and boss Jurgen Raps...
currently member of the board and chief pilot, into the cockpit...
...and presented me with this golden cap!
It's just a bit of fun.
From now on it's gold for me; as a reminder of my last flight.
The obligatory captain's cap; to be worn right now!
Thank you very much, my friend.
I received wonderful gifts from my friends and colleagues.
I was presented with a great reminder of flying jumbos:
I was given the fan blade of a 747-400 engine.
A colleague polished it up by hand.
Not everyone has such a valuable souvenir!
I love vintage cars, particularly old Mercedes.
I've been given a participant voucher for the Silvretta Classic Rally.
I'll be in a 1965 220 SE cabriolet.
That's a gift I would have chosen out of thousands!
Dear Norbert, old-timer your fly-time is now over.
From now on you must walk or jump into your Mercedes.
The CLS will bring you joy.
The convertible Mercedes G-class, captured your gaze.
Typically Swabian, you follow the star.
At the time one might have called this call a midlife crises.
I know now that would be wrong; you are only forty years young.
You're fit and full of life, bubbling over with energy.
Stick with your Benz, 1 second that.
A Porsche, that would be been bad news!
Dear Norbert! CPT Werner Knorr, Head of Operations
Today you landed your last 747 safely here in Frankfurt.
You've always valued the ability to land well.
You've had a great time, and left your mark on the company.
We've known each other for a long time.
It's been my pleasure to work with you in various constellations.
Thank you for your loyalty...
...and your advice in critical situations.
And also for the companionship and friendship you showed me.
I wish you all the best, good health and fun with your friends and family.
Norbert had his heart in flying.
He loved approaching in a jumbo jet.
His trips were memorable and full of fun.
Once they flew to Miami and his wife joined the team...
to dine in a restaurant famous for its lobster.
His crew was happy when the waitress came.
Her low-cut top caused quite a stir.
She came in close and said the dish they desired couldn't be had.
The meaning behind her words reached the men at last.
So we sat there somewhat sad and ate what meal they still had.
There and then a pact was sworn. and a catch phrase was born...
Whenever Norbert see a hotty he whispers "lobster's out!"
I've known him for 32 years, we met in Anchorage in Alaska.
We were married after two years.
A year later our son was born.
I flew for 12 years and it was a wonderful time.
We often flew together on the 7075. I enjoyed it.
We certainly laughed a lot together. - Uwe Strohdeicher, Fleet Mgr Long-Haul -
Especially the "Lobster is out" story.
We had a lot of fun.
I remember a PR flight-event in Bremen in 2009...
...where we offered jumbo-sightseeing flights.
Working with Norbert was fun, and it's a shame to say goodbye.
He was a great boss and we always worked well together.
We always had "very good landings".
Overseas he has earned the famous flight Blue Riband.
Norbert, not Superman, was the fastest to cross the ocean.
Up ahead is New York City, a Canarsie approach would be pretty.
He spies his hotel on the right, the one with the skewed lights.
Flaps ten and gear down, things are going to plan.
Flaps thirty is the next command, he's just about to land.
One more glance, and Norbert lands with ease.
He taxis off the landing strip and checks his landing list, bit quick.
Then he whisks through the gate over to his hotel before he's late.
He speeds across to the USA, cos that's his favorite place to stay.
In the hotel he's now renowned for his speedy check-in time.
To the natives, he was known as Speedy Wolf, from Frankfurt town.
"Norbert is my friend". - Jijrgen RAPS, SVP Flight Operations and Chief Pilot
He always had my back.
He never let me down.
I admire how natural he is.
It always came across, whatever the situation.
I could be a critical situation within company...
...or on an interpersonal level.
He was always approachable and straight forward.
He was upright, stood by his opinion and said what was right and wrong.
Even to his superiors. That can be rare.
I'm reaching the end of my poem, and can see your woes.
If you need comfort recall this part: you are the captain of our hearts.
This is an appointment for life.
You're popular at Lufthansa, and others like you too out there.
I've enjoyed the work with you and of course the laughter too.
Enjoy the time and don't get bored - fill it with hobbies and a lot of sport.
The schedule for your daily life will now be made by your wife.
Just make sure you can request the occasional clay of rest.
Come and see me by the Rhine and I'll share with you a glass of wine.
And we wish you renewed power, from your friends up at the tower.
I would like to thank my colleagues, friends and family...
...who joined me today. And you, who joined me on my last flight.
Good luck to you, go see the world. See you, somewhere!