Baltic Aviation Academy: A320 Ditching

www.balticaa.com/ Do you remember when in 2009 US airways had to conduct a ditching in the Hudson River near midtown Manhattan due to a flock of birds causing a loss of power to both engines? The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of about 3200 feet before it began to descend. After ditching, all five crew members and 150 passengers evacuated the aircraft. Pranas Drulis, ATPL Integrated student at Baltic Aviation Academy (Vilnius, Lithuania), tried to execute the same situation in Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator.
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[@paintingoftheweek]

For those wondering, the DITCHING button closes the outflow valves, ram-air intake, avionics ventilation inlet, extract valves, and pack flow valves

[@yannisl8259]

so late, but thanks

[@ADIRU22]

Makes sense

[@09shadowjet]

He successfully ditched an A320 in a single pilot situation. He's a great pilot for sure.

[@NeilDjents]

@Fresh-Jr1981 I would love to see you land it better in a simulator.

[@NeilDjents]

@Fresh-Jr1981 I would love to see YOU land it better in a simulator.

[@craigduncan4826]

I think he was flying what us pilots call a simulator, just basically mimics the real jet but not being the real jet. Edit- It was extremely realistic though.

[@matt1544zxc3]

Good thing the water mark on the video says "Do Not Use - for training purposes only". I was going to go out a ditch an A320 in the ocean just to see if his procedures worked.

[@aperson4075]

Matt Sullivan pfft, go try it

[@bigred5287]

No I think it means “do not use this video for training purposes”...

[@yannisl8259]

i mean your name IS Sullivan

[@ozspotterhd3261]

Real life pilots during ditching: “aaaaand impact”

[@josh256m8]

You didn’t have enough a’s

[@nw4021]

This young man will become a fine pilot!

[@Jonfocus03]

You forgot your life vest.........

[@victordekola]

kkkkkkk

[@quenmariciouswilliams2771]

its a sim, they probably dont have those in the seats

[@billyoneill5445]

The kid is an excellent pilot. I think he's on his way to work for the big airlines as a Captain.

[@_kijetesantakalu]

He already is a pilot

[@ebiekem]

He should be an instructor.

[@billyoneill5445]

He is

[@ImRoman_]

All airlines hire potential captains, no one hires FO

[@aperson4075]

Roman Legkii Arn't they the same?

[@debug8377]

it has somehow became a habit of mine to watch how to do ditching on an a320 everytime during dinner

[@Jusiun]

Just in case

[@87anymore]

this is an emergency evakiate evakiate evakiate!

[@flankerskioneniner4290]

I like when he inform the cabin tho

[@davidgrisez]

It is interesting how this appears so nice and calm in a simulator. In a real world emergency ditching an airplane in a body of water would be a lot more tense and frightening.

[@caseyc408]

forgot your life vest!! LOL

[@samgu619]

We… might end up in the Hudson.

[@jedil3628]

Plot twist: Pranas was flying US 1549

[@ivanchan3305]

I think they will survive

[@flyingturnip1]

He was at 12000, plenty of time. Haste means things get missed. Calm & methodical is always the way in an emergency

[@ivanchan3305]

I trained myself by FSX

[@bct_planespotter5598]

Thats got the be the best pilot ive ever seen

[@TMCNJ]

Instructions unclear; got A320 stuck in a sand bank

[@SOS91199]

Very cool and calm young man, will be a great pilot fur sure!

[@tonymind308]

If pranas was ditching my plane, i would be reading magazine with no seatbelt on :D

[@carlosspiceyweineify]

its to provide back up electrical power to the basic instruments such as the PFD, MDF and ECAM displays. it will deploy automatically in the case of a dual engine failure such as the simulation shown in this video, think of it as an office desk fan on a pole that pops out of the fuselage near the main gear. if you cant imagine what that looks like than search ram air turbine test

[@carlosspiceyweineify]

the seating is really the same around the world, captain on the left, first officer on the right, I have only heard of one case of it being the opposite way round and that's when one of my mates decided to relive his years as a first officer in the right hand seat, the crew will swap the piloting roll, i.e.. the captain may fly the aircraft whilst the first officer handles the configuration and radio operations plus any minor duties or it can be the other way round.

[@yenylopez9098]

Nice Ditching Captain Pracas

[@ferchrissakes]

I'm not a pilot, but I think you're technically right. Maybe not right away, but when the engines don't relight, it's certainly an emergency, so saying that - or "mayday" - would probably be a good idea. Setting the transponder to 7700 (emergency code) would be good too. The guys who ditched in the Hudson did all of the above, but they were two people; Pranas here has no co-pilot to help out, so it's better for him to just focus on the flying.

[@afffe4444]

What impact has the Fkaps 3, the Galley and the RAM air, Button?

[@HBZERaviation]

Why you don't use the Engine manual start button on the overhead panel for restart the engines ? I'm not an expert but I saw this procedure one time.

[@farismufti]

pranus, i really adore you and respect you. this video has alot of action. I LOVE IT!!! your a professional. the best

[@DreamFreeFPV]

Everyone is comparing this to the Hudson river ditching in 2009 i bet.

[@Petra44YT]

Quite unsettling. Btw, good to see how the headset is stored, I didn't know that.

[@StephanK330]

You're spending great time in the sims ! Very nice videos ! Thanks !

[@raphaelrico1584]

Evacuate the airplane Engage all life supports And get this man a Captain’s 4 Stripes

[@kjell-akeapell3285]

Thank,s God,the pilot survived !

[@carlosspiceyweineify]

well unless the simulator center flooded I don't think it would be necessary

[@pxlloewe1481]

Why don't you turn on the elec hyd pump ?

[@derSchweiz]

It is a reminder and signal to flare the nose up for landing just before touchdown so you won't go nose first into the runway.

[@AviationPro]

You'll be alright when Captain Sullenberger is behind the controls! Nicely done though, Pranas! :)

[@word20]

would you be able to make a video about cross wind landing with crabbing the plane?

[@nidurnevets]

I think on the Cactus 1549 flight, the flight that ditched in the Hudson River, which was also an Airbus 320, the Capt. stayed with flaps 2. I was wondering why--- if I am correct in that statement. Thanks

[@ZiggyMercury]

Yeah, I wouldn't say he tried to execute "the same situation". The engines in flight 1549 stopped working at 3,200 feet and the pilots had to maneuver above a highly-populated area. And, of course, the most important differences are that in the case of flight 1549 it wasn't planned and there were more than 150 lives who hung the balance. Still, I liked this video and the pilot's skills!

[@Montazvids11]

That Simulator needs a bit of ORBX scenery. :)

[@MagicEagles]

You dont have to acknowledge them, its just to get the annoying beeping away. You get similar warnings in 737's as well.

[@LucS0042]

Since the APU was running (electric) would it be a good idea to turn on the electric hydraulic pump?

[@signmanbob2]

Airplane have hit the turf because they didn't declare an emergency and ATC was so busy that they didn't get alerted by hearing that phrase. True, we can assume that they will know if they hear that both engines have failed, but you know what they say about "assume".

[@pkevin13800]

Very nice video ! Does Prunas have forget to take a life vest before leaving the cockpit? :)

[@tonymind308]

If you was pranas ditching airplane you would need to fuck off quicker off the plane before it sinks ;)

[@rogerroger6049]

Prunus doesn't need a life vest...he was school champion swimmer.

[@farismufti]

Actually, Pranas made a no landing gear landing video on the a320 and 737.

[@FelicianB]

closes basically every single of those valves, that could let water inside the aircraft. E.G. outflow valves.

[@CatonsvilleCentralRwy]

Not criticizing Airbus, but it seems those warning bells and lights simply distract the pilot more then they actually help him in a situation like that. Having to acknowledge warnings from the computer about problems he's already well aware of seems like a dangerous waste of time when he's having to ditch a plane in a river. Just my ten cents..

[@pilothiro]

Nice Video Pranas, good to have some video to get some reference..

[@edgar5001]

What does turning on the "ditching" switch do?

[@TheOlly87]

well done Pranas, but unfortunately you did forget your life vest =( hopefully we see you again =)

[@jkiang]

Having dual engine flame out more likely than not means you will not have your APU. Just think about the reason for a dual flame out.. Fuel starvation is one of the very very few causes of that, and that means you won't have your APU.

[@58biggles]

I'm not sure what altitude you were at and I know it's a simulator but there was no sense of urgency.

[@ericp.]

What does the ditching switch do exactly?

[@AAron-fc2kn]

Grimmy Onland it seals any outflow valves so that the plane will sink slower.

[@ahumeniy]

For a moment I thought the A320 was so advanced the ditch button would do the ditching itself

[@ahumeniy]

It probably also tells the computer "I know what I'm doing, don't nag me with terrain and bad landing configuration warnings"

[@TMCNJ]

It’s to tell the computer “you go to sleep now”

[@deborshikashyap6745]

Ditching button diconnect all the electricity so that plane does not catches fire easily due to short circuit while touch down

[@andreaferrarini5210]

Pranas is awesom!

[@nidurnevets]

Thanks for the answer. Would he have been better off in a Boeing 737, or worse off?

[@probablyjay3449]

Excuse me, in an emergency is there actually time to just start flipping the pages? Just asking

[@dyllaf]

I don't understand why you would release the fire agents when both engines are most likely underwater.

[@SuperRaptor4]

It's for emergency protocol procedures and purposes . And since the top of the turbine engines would be floating on top of the water there is a possibility of a flame

[@alejandrojordan4376]

He doesn't declare MAYDAY MAYDAY ,emergency call when the safety of the aircraft and its passengers are in great risk

[@Edgehead_78]

Since its in the electric section of the panel, my guess is that it cuts electric power to the galley (coffee maker, air chiller, ovens) to save it for important systems.

[@TMCNJ]

Mathieu Proulx I was wondering what that button does too

[@oppotato5440]

C. Neale yes thats correct

[@djicecream223]

Good luck evacuating Pranas, you forgot your life jacket :P

[@Loobo2012]

Because he's not really talking to anyone when he talks to ATC. Otherwise he would be in contact with ATC a lot more often.

[@capt_alavi__2401]

R.I.P Pranas Drulis 2012-2012

[@richygambs321]

very cool!! now how about you simulate a loss of flight computers, or loss of hydraulics, or better, a mechanical law situation!!? would be fun to see.

[@konamushi64]

When water landing,what speed is good?

[@raymondlee3327]

Why don't you show a procedure involving a depressurization in flight?

[@signmanbob2]

Not from my understanding. You have to say "We are declaring an emergency", otherwise ATC may not understand you are in an emergency.

[@nidurnevets]

Thanks for your answer!

[@mitosaviation]

New captain Sullenberger!

That radio was strange though, casually informing the ATC that the engines went dark. Isn't the pilot supposed to callout "mayday"?

[@geekgamerlamer]

only if there is no chance of restarting the engines, he had plenty of time to try and restart them and in lots of cases the engines would restart, alhough he should have called mayday after the engines were past the point of restarting and he knew he was going to ditch

[@hayabusa1556]

Make a video of trimming a plane please.... This is my first time to request you pranas drulis

[@sebabalo]

Nice video.

[@randomcreator123]

What does pushing the ditching button do???

[@myhopefulworldorg]

Nice Flights, Can you take off from Accra Airport, Ghana and Land with cockpit view? Thank you

[@thomasworkman8264]

Why do you need to release fire agent when ditching aircraft?

[@geekgamerlamer]

protocol in the procedure booklet, also if you ditch theres a possibility of the engines only being partially submersed so it eliminates the possibility of fire

[@CinemaDemocratica]

I'm sure this is a painfully naive question, but if both engines have flamed out, how exactly does Pranus "increase the speed a little bit" at 7:50? Does the flight management computer adjust the trim, somehow? Aircraft attitude?

[@Lynkk]

gravity man, just push forward on the stick, you'll get speed

[@minecraftcucezar7119]

Cinema

[@amcdonal86VT]

I was hoping he was going to leave through the window

[@liomiovlogs4897]

pranas is the best

[@LuccaValsamis]

Its the Trim of the aircraft

[@signmanbob2]

Ha, ha...yeah that's true. In this case his co-pilot fainted when he realized what happened. That makes the situation even worse.

[@thorstengulfer5386]

love your vids.

[@MrBryan86]

That's cool!!! Wanna get one of this!!!

[@fmsgpp]

Closes all the air valves below the floating line.

[@randomcreator123]

As always great video luv u pranus :)

[@andy4b767]

These are full flight simulators

[@carsiburdaheryerde]

Thank you man .. you made a great job and now we I am waiting same video with Boeing 737 800.. how aircraft will react ?

[@unflexian]

"Baltic Air 191, cleared for takeoff RWY 9R, winds are calm, Please state souls on board." "Cleared for takeoff, 191, one soul on board" "191, confirm ONE soul on board?" "Yes, 191" "191, where are your passengers and copilot?" "this is a deadheading flight, uhh, we are delivering this plane back to base for maintenance, 191." "And the copilot?" "Don't need him, extra weight, 191" "191, Cancel takeoff clearance, abort takeoff now. Advise when ready to copy down a phone number."

[@celvakumarb]

At what altitude flaps should initiate Flaps retraction

[@alejandrojordan4376]

Because this is that situation

Perfect 🙏

[@jeremythomasjr.1285]

Is there no yoke?

[@AlfiesCleaning]

Well in a A320 they have a side-stick instead of a yoke.

[@uday7311]

Nyc 1 Prana's.

[@nikolaospeterson2495]

Nice work! My sim won't allow ditching! It either automatically goes into crash mode (accordionised aircraft) or resets to altitude! I tried both belly landing and ditching and simply wont work!

[@unflexian]

what sim?

[@signmanbob2]

Should he not have actually declared an "Emergency"?

[@yulianussituru4872]

What is the function of ram air turbine

[@parthkumar7755]

Is baa training a flying trainig institute????

[@Balticaa]

+Parth Kumar BAA Training is European standard aviation training center with EASA ATO status.

[@adampoconnor]

Imagine a hydraulics failure in the simulator structure...can a pilot fix a simulator??

[@jkiang]

It seals all openings on the plane

[@parthtomar2215]

whats that two round things on the right and left of the throttle levers they move many times

[@qantas105]

Trim

[@eobrian89]

how long does he take for him to crash????

[@carlosgarciasobrin]

Bravo!!!

[@MrCyberkat]

Air Bus is a computer. Boeing is a character.

Cessna is a cool toy :D

[@skipperfromppd2447]

Gliders are pieces of metal with a wheel falling from the sky.

[@raidzor5452]

I like the computer more!

[@farukche3848]

Boeing sucks. Airbus is best

[@AviationHubOfficial]

I laugh at the Boeing lovers who think that they're not also totally reliant on computers, and have been for decades....