Nicolaus
@cptschmerzfrei.bsky.social
Former airline pilot turned business jet captain for a fractional ownership company. Host of The Essence of Safety podcast. MSc in Safety & Human Factors. Passionate about flight safety, human factors, and uncovering lessons through investigation.
Here I am, celebrating my first visit to Madrid Cuatro Ventos with a ride on a tow tug. I hadn't appreciated just how much flight school traffic there is at this place. We waited 25 minutes for our turn to depart - a bit like Frankfurt, just with SEPs!
December 11, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Here I am, celebrating my first visit to Madrid Cuatro Ventos with a ride on a tow tug. I hadn't appreciated just how much flight school traffic there is at this place. We waited 25 minutes for our turn to depart - a bit like Frankfurt, just with SEPs!
My colleague, preparing for departure, while I am chilling & tweeting in the back...
December 7, 2025 at 12:27 PM
My colleague, preparing for departure, while I am chilling & tweeting in the back...
Good morning Barcelona!
November 19, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Good morning Barcelona!
Had some low clouds today at Zurich. We only became visual with the runway slightly before reaching the CAT I minimum. But it sure was beautiful from above!
November 8, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Had some low clouds today at Zurich. We only became visual with the runway slightly before reaching the CAT I minimum. But it sure was beautiful from above!
You can't make your whole life about airplanes, my wife said.
You're right, I said. Let's go to a museum.
You're right, I said. Let's go to a museum.
November 2, 2025 at 10:24 PM
You can't make your whole life about airplanes, my wife said.
You're right, I said. Let's go to a museum.
You're right, I said. Let's go to a museum.
Okay, one more, then I will shut up.
I call it 'The calm before the storm'.
Melodramatic? I know.
I call it 'The calm before the storm'.
Melodramatic? I know.
October 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Okay, one more, then I will shut up.
I call it 'The calm before the storm'.
Melodramatic? I know.
I call it 'The calm before the storm'.
Melodramatic? I know.
Approaching Valencia.
October 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Approaching Valencia.
You can say that...
(Although it differs from place to place, of course)
(Although it differs from place to place, of course)
October 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
You can say that...
(Although it differs from place to place, of course)
(Although it differs from place to place, of course)
October 19, 2025 at 9:37 AM
After an easy flight from London City, we had the rest of the afternoon off. Took a walk through Stockholm in glorious autumn weather.
#pilotlife #layover
#pilotlife #layover
October 18, 2025 at 8:14 PM
After an easy flight from London City, we had the rest of the afternoon off. Took a walk through Stockholm in glorious autumn weather.
#pilotlife #layover
#pilotlife #layover
I saw this question being asked on the other app - what airline that doesn't exist anymore would you love to fly (for) again?
October 12, 2025 at 10:51 AM
I saw this question being asked on the other app - what airline that doesn't exist anymore would you love to fly (for) again?
Two days ago, in Girona #LEGE. Apparently, no overnight parking was available in Palma, Ibiza, and Barcelona, and so a couple of our flights ended up in Girona for the night.
September 28, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Two days ago, in Girona #LEGE. Apparently, no overnight parking was available in Palma, Ibiza, and Barcelona, and so a couple of our flights ended up in Girona for the night.
Morning vibes on our positioning flight to Aberdeen.
September 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Morning vibes on our positioning flight to Aberdeen.
Never seen a golf course this close to an airport. The fence isn't particularly high either. I wonder how many stray shots hit parked aircraft... 🤔
Picture taken at Vigo, Spain.
Picture taken at Vigo, Spain.
September 20, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Never seen a golf course this close to an airport. The fence isn't particularly high either. I wonder how many stray shots hit parked aircraft... 🤔
Picture taken at Vigo, Spain.
Picture taken at Vigo, Spain.
"unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security" is one way to put it...
September 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
"unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security" is one way to put it...
Standby @ rest location: There are pros and cons...
September 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Standby @ rest location: There are pros and cons...
So, normally IFR flights wouldn't navigate to VFR waypoints. Below is a part of the approach plate of the RNP approach. What is important to remember is that even if you are being jammed, you don't lose all navigational capabilities right away. Rather, the integrity becomes compromised meaning
September 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
So, normally IFR flights wouldn't navigate to VFR waypoints. Below is a part of the approach plate of the RNP approach. What is important to remember is that even if you are being jammed, you don't lose all navigational capabilities right away. Rather, the integrity becomes compromised meaning
Long duty time yesterday -> lots of rest today -> plenty of time to explore Dublin
August 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Long duty time yesterday -> lots of rest today -> plenty of time to explore Dublin
Had to ground our aircraft today due to a technical issue. Passenger was already on-site, hoping for an earlier departure. Now that's of course far from ideal, but what never ceases to amaze me how quickly the company organizes a recovery flight - in this case a Global.
August 15, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Had to ground our aircraft today due to a technical issue. Passenger was already on-site, hoping for an earlier departure. Now that's of course far from ideal, but what never ceases to amaze me how quickly the company organizes a recovery flight - in this case a Global.