Visit to AirAsia Cockpit

Note: I hope this article doesn't create any hassle to the involved parties. The purpose of writing this is definitely not to encourage everyone to do the same.


On 26 Jan 2008, I traveled to Chiang Mai, for my one-week single backpack, by Air Asia's flight number AK896.

Most of the time, since waiting for boarding, I was writing on my diary, with regards to lotsa feelings, past and present etc. When I finished, I had another thought.

Flew to Chiang Mai by Air Asia.

I didn't wanna tear my beloved diary, hence searching up and down for a blank paper. I couldn't find any, then I tore part of the A4 paper, which is the printed email of my accommodation booking.

I started to write:

Dear Captain,

Goodday.

My name is {my name}. I contribute travel articles to publications, yet I'm not sure if I can call myself a travel writer. At all times, I'm writing for my own site (www.haanism.com), which has attracted a certain number of readers.

Today, I have a sudden thought. I'm wondering if I'd have the honour to pay a visit to the cockpit, which is totally "your area"?

This request might have been out of your expectation, or perhaps not-doable according to the Standard Operating Procedure. If that's really impossible, how about after we land?

Hope to hear from you soon regarding this, and no matter how, your kind attention to this request is appreciated.

Have a nice day.

Ms Lum
Passenger @ Seat 8E

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Clarification for the mail:

1. Introducing myself, with the real name, is a basic courtesy.

2. Indicate that I do NOT visit the cockpit JUST FOR SHEER FUN.

3. Being a travel writer is my dream, although it has not been 100% realized.

4. Dare not claim my site is very great, coz I lost the PageRank after migration to this custom domain, for both old and new URLs.

5. I read that someone visited the cockpit when the plane was in the sky.

6. Indicate that I'm a female - this is important in any request.

7. Clearly state my seat number so that the response could reach me.

---

After writing, I folded it nicely, looking for a crew member to help pass the small note to the Captain. No one was around.

Went to the cockpit for the first time! (Click for larger image)

Went to washroom. Once coming out, there was a male crew member just nearby. I went over, asking him if he could do me the favor. He asked me if I know the Caption? I said nah. But he was willing to assist.

I went back to my seat, not knowing what's gonna happen later.

About half an hour later, when I was taking a kip, someone in a white uniform walked towards me (I could feel someone was coming to me hence opened my eyes). Oh, he's in the pilot uniform!

Johan of Air Asia.

We shook hand, and he, Johan, confirmed that I was the person writing to the Captain.

Johan: According to the international policy, you can't visit the cockpit when we are still flying. However, it'd be okay after we disembark.

Haan: Oh, that's fine. I hope I don't cause you any delay after we reach Chiang Mai.

Johan: No problem at all. Actually we might be arriving 20 minutes earlier today. We are always glad to establish good relationship with passengers :)

Haan: So do I need to inform the crew members about this?

Johan: I'll let them know. You just stay back later, ok?

Haan: Thanks a lot.

To be honest, I never expect that he'd come over and talk to me. I thought maybe he'd just write another note and ask any crew member to pass it to me.

In the cockpit, Budhi was on the left, whilst Johan was on the right.

After he left, I drafted some questions to be asked later. I was a bit regret for not having done some homework prior to that. Many years ago, I watched the 40-episode Hong Kong series, Triumph in the Skies (冲上云霄), for a total of 3 times!!

Learned some knowledge about being a pilot but I couldn't remember very much nowadays. I like the series coz no one is bad in the storyline, and this is definitely my dream world (I know it's impossible in the real life, so I indulged in the story).

After we arrive at the destination, their work has not yet ended.

I stayed back as both agreed. Johan and another pilot, Budhi were still in the cockpit, welcoming my visit. They then showed me the parts of the cockpit and the "technical parts" of it. Sorry, I can't tell much about the technical parts here coz I couldn't remember them too well. Those are the things I'm not familiar with.

Many many buttons! They control our life in the air!

Along the way, I took the chatting moments to ask Johan some of my drafted questions.

He has been a pilot for about 15 years. Previously he flew with the Air Force, then with Air Asia. Comparing between long and short hauls, he prefers the latter more.

Johan became a pilot via an unexpected opportunity many years ago. I asked him, what's the word he'd choose to describe his life as a pilot, he answered, it's PASSION.

Every 6 months, they need to be trained and undergo medical checkup. If things are not in satisfactory condition, they'd need to work on the ground, and most pilots do not wish to be so.

Seeing him wearing glasses, I asked, isn't perfect vision a must to be a pilot? He said it's crucial when one joins. However, as time goes by, a non-perfect vision is acceptable, as long as it's rectified by wearing spectacles.

He is Budhi.

Another pilot, Budhi, informed about the auto-landing feature available for most aircrafts nowadays. However, even an aircraft can do that, it also depends on the airport, if auto-landing can be supported.

I didn't take too much of their time for the visit and Q&A, as passengers were already boarding onto the aircraft. I guessed they were flying back to Malaysia sooner after a short break.

Took a photo with Johan and Budhi at the cockpit.

Johan wrote me his email address. I'll share this post with him.

I was unsure why the news of me visiting the cockpit spread fairly quickly around the Chiang Mai Airport. Everybody seemed to know about that - the staff arranging for passengers to board the aircraft, the officer at the immigration, whoever saw me coming out late and passed the immigration at the time when no one was at any of the counters. I was claimed to have "interviewed the pilots"!!

BTW, we've gotta take a photo when our passport is stamped at the immigration. That's my first experience having to do so!


I'll neither be a pilot nor work at the cockpit in my life. I believe every occupation has its interesting parts, just like every place we visit has its uniqueness. If I have another similar chance next time, I must do some homework before my visit, so that the session would be more fruitful.

I didn't get myself prepared much this time, coz I never expect my dream would come true!