Page 171 - MustangEbook

Shipshape – This term means in good order, Not much has changed in nearly 100 years as
clean and tidy. that tradition continues even to this day.
Wardroom – The wardroom refers to the
Naval Officers’ Mess. According to SOPs (standard operating
procedures) of most airlines, the ground crew
FINAL SALUTE BEFORE TAKE-OFF that handles departure of an aircraft from a
gate (such handling normally includes:
The life span of those early pilots was so short disconnecting of required for engine start
that the maintenance crews would salute them pneumatic generators or aircraft power and
as they launched into battle for fear that they ventilation utilities, aircraft push-back, icing
may never return. That busted-knuckle salute inspection, etc.) is required to salute the
and its subsequent return from those early captain before the aircraft is released for taxi.
pilots was symbolic in many ways and Captain normally returns the salute. Since a
represented a level of respect between aircrew large percentage of airline pilots are ex-
and ground crew. military pilots, this practice was transferred to
the airline industry from the military. The
same saluting practice is appropriate to most
military aircraft operations, including Air
Force, Navy and Army.

FLYPAST

In 1970, Singapore witnessed its first state
flag flypast by an Alouette III helicopter.
Originally measuring approximately three
metres by two metres, the flag was later
increased in size to 28 metres by 19 metres
The salute was recognition by the ground and was flown by the Super Puma in 1989.
crew that the pilot has put an enormous The flag took 20 riggers and three weeks to
amount of trust in the aircraft maintainers, so machine stitch and earned its place in The
much trust that he is willing to take that Guinness Book of World Records for being
warplane into the air and into combat with his the largest flag in the world to be underslung.
life on the line. It further identifies to the pilot
that the aircraft is airworthy and ready for
battle. The return salute from the pilot
signifies the ultimate level of trust and
recognizes that what the pilot is about to do is
inherently dangerous. The returned salute also
identifies the recognition from the pilot that
the mechanic probably stayed up all night
patching bullet holes, repairing fuel lines and
restringing aileron cables to ensure the aircraft
was ready for battle. Furthermore, it is a final
confirmation that the pilot will do everything
possible to bring the airplane back safely into
the hands of its proud maintainers.