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Comment by salex89 | Hacker News Reader

I've heard about this procedure, makes me chuckle every time (in case of volcanic ash encounter).

"Damage to the windshield may necessitate an autoland or landing with a sliding window open."

The BA flight 9 crew had only a tiny, semi-opaque, portion of the windscreen to peer through after flying through volcanic ash. Landed safely. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_9

Flight crew did all the right things and saved the aircraft and passengers. Brilliant improvisation saved the day and the tale made better with post-incident interviews: 'Moody described it [glide slope calculation] as "a bit like negotiating one's way up a badger's arse."'

The announcement from BA9 is still a work of art:

> Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress.

Yeah, same for me. I wonder if the sliding window is on the side, so the pilot has to actually stick his head out to see where they are going?....

The view out the side window is pretty good for straight ahead! It is more on the corner than the side of the flight deck, so it can be used to see straight ahead if needed. Here is the view out of this side window: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyRVyNO-nYo

And using the sliding window: https://youtu.be/6T9OWQBh0jk (A330, but pretty much the same cockpit)

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