intheair_28 wrote on Apr 7^th, 2009 at 10:38pm:



Nor sure what you mean by airlines letting you listen. Go by an airband radio and stand in your garden.

As for seating, it depends on the requirements of each operator, however said operator cannot just do what it wants. Each aircraft has a TCDS (Type Certificate Data Sheet). This lists everything that the aircraft can and can't do, engine type, fuel type, oil to be used and amongst a whole load of other things seating and how many. This data has to be followed and cannot be deviated from. In the case of the seating, this is a Max number (for all those conversations about how many the A380 can or cannot carry, look at the data sheet...853, non negotiable max set in stone). Whether you carry the max or below the max, that has to be also set down and authorised by the national aviation authority of the country that the aircraft is registered in. You cannot arbitrarily decide to adjust for seating capacity of an aircraft without authorisation as it is classed as a modification. It could well be that different airlines have different seat spacing, but that can only come from removing seats and then you require permission to do so from the FAA/CAA/LBA that is concerned...........This is a well timed question, I have spent the whole week in the classroom (death by view foil) studying Aviation Legislation for my next maintenance license..........right now suiside is an appealing option

Matt

specter177 wrote on Apr 8^th, 2009 at 4:37pm:


You live and learn

You can listen in to any airline though. All you need is an old personl stereo that plays tapes. If you press play without a tape in, you can get to hear cockpit communications to a certian extent. Something I noticed way back in the 80's whist travelling by (crab) air. I mentioned this a while back and others confirmed it. I believe that (Rottydaddy??) explained how it wórked too)

Matt