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.
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.
Reposted by Nicolaus
Frühdienst hat auch seine schönen Seiten...
November 2, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Frühdienst hat auch seine schönen Seiten...
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.
Given how many places are called False Bay or similar in the respective languages, I kind of wonder about our ancestors' navigational skills...
October 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Given how many places are called False Bay or similar in the respective languages, I kind of wonder about our ancestors' navigational skills...
This ⏬
PSA: Gate/Ticket agents—it’s not necessary to tap on the microphone before you begin speaking. In fact, it’s extremely annoying, as is speaking very loudly and quickly. Please don’t do it
October 20, 2025 at 11:40 AM
This ⏬
Approaching Valencia.
October 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Approaching Valencia.
Reposted by Nicolaus
Since the invention of ailerons, it is rare to find an aircraft without them. However, the SO.9000 "Trident", an experimental supersonic aircraft from the 1950s, does not have them.
All of the aircraft's controls are located in its tailplane, for roll, pitch and yaw.
© Images Défense
All of the aircraft's controls are located in its tailplane, for roll, pitch and yaw.
© Images Défense
October 19, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Since the invention of ailerons, it is rare to find an aircraft without them. However, the SO.9000 "Trident", an experimental supersonic aircraft from the 1950s, does not have them.
All of the aircraft's controls are located in its tailplane, for roll, pitch and yaw.
© Images Défense
All of the aircraft's controls are located in its tailplane, for roll, pitch and yaw.
© Images Défense
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
Reposted by Nicolaus
I joined Eckhard Jann again on Error One to discuss the Kalitta Air 747 crash in Brussels — a powerful case of decision-making under pressure and how one split-second can change everything.
#AviationSafety #HumanFactors
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/0kLd...
#AviationSafety #HumanFactors
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/0kLd...
The Kalitta Air 747 Crash in Brussels – A Split-Second Decision That Changed Everything
open.spotify.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I joined Eckhard Jann again on Error One to discuss the Kalitta Air 747 crash in Brussels — a powerful case of decision-making under pressure and how one split-second can change everything.
#AviationSafety #HumanFactors
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/0kLd...
#AviationSafety #HumanFactors
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/0kLd...
Reposted by Nicolaus
Both pilots had studied the Route Guide. Both were safety-conscious.
Yet neither saw the 282-ft obstacle.
Lighting, layout, glare-how did so many small issues align?
#tbt to one of our most haunting episodes of The Essence of Safety. #rescue116
open.spotify.com/episode/1PAa...
Yet neither saw the 282-ft obstacle.
Lighting, layout, glare-how did so many small issues align?
#tbt to one of our most haunting episodes of The Essence of Safety. #rescue116
open.spotify.com/episode/1PAa...
October 16, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Both pilots had studied the Route Guide. Both were safety-conscious.
Yet neither saw the 282-ft obstacle.
Lighting, layout, glare-how did so many small issues align?
#tbt to one of our most haunting episodes of The Essence of Safety. #rescue116
open.spotify.com/episode/1PAa...
Yet neither saw the 282-ft obstacle.
Lighting, layout, glare-how did so many small issues align?
#tbt to one of our most haunting episodes of The Essence of Safety. #rescue116
open.spotify.com/episode/1PAa...
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?
Reposted by Nicolaus
“At 1:43 and some odd seconds, I felt the first shudder… a loud bang. Something was gravely wrong.”
The story of Greeneville — a U.S. Navy submarine, a routine drill, and a tragedy that shocked the world.
🎙️ Listen to the full episode now:
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
The story of Greeneville — a U.S. Navy submarine, a routine drill, and a tragedy that shocked the world.
🎙️ Listen to the full episode now:
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
October 11, 2025 at 9:30 AM
“At 1:43 and some odd seconds, I felt the first shudder… a loud bang. Something was gravely wrong.”
The story of Greeneville — a U.S. Navy submarine, a routine drill, and a tragedy that shocked the world.
🎙️ Listen to the full episode now:
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
The story of Greeneville — a U.S. Navy submarine, a routine drill, and a tragedy that shocked the world.
🎙️ Listen to the full episode now:
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
Reposted by Nicolaus
When a JAL DC-8 lands short of the runway in San Francisco Bay, its captain admits fault with disarming honesty. Decades later, a U.S. Navy submarine collides with a Japanese fishing vessel, and another captain shoulders the weight of guilt...
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
Guilt, Blame, and the Lessons We Miss
open.spotify.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:41 PM
When a JAL DC-8 lands short of the runway in San Francisco Bay, its captain admits fault with disarming honesty. Decades later, a U.S. Navy submarine collides with a Japanese fishing vessel, and another captain shoulders the weight of guilt...
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
Reposted by Nicolaus
In 1968, a Japan Air Lines DC-8 landed in San Francisco Bay. No one died, but the captain’s blunt confession became legendary: “I f*cked up.”
But did self-blame help aviation safety - or hide the real lessons?
🎧 The Essence of Safety — new episode out now:
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
But did self-blame help aviation safety - or hide the real lessons?
🎧 The Essence of Safety — new episode out now:
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
October 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
In 1968, a Japan Air Lines DC-8 landed in San Francisco Bay. No one died, but the captain’s blunt confession became legendary: “I f*cked up.”
But did self-blame help aviation safety - or hide the real lessons?
🎧 The Essence of Safety — new episode out now:
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
But did self-blame help aviation safety - or hide the real lessons?
🎧 The Essence of Safety — new episode out now:
open.spotify.com/episode/1Tgb...
Reposted by Nicolaus
After many months of research, I finally finished the write-up for the next episode - and started recording it. Unforeseen circumstances aside, I should publish it next week.
The first part is about this ⬇️ accident. Fortunately no-one got seriously hurt. Any idea what it was?
The first part is about this ⬇️ accident. Fortunately no-one got seriously hurt. Any idea what it was?
October 2, 2025 at 2:30 PM
After many months of research, I finally finished the write-up for the next episode - and started recording it. Unforeseen circumstances aside, I should publish it next week.
The first part is about this ⬇️ accident. Fortunately no-one got seriously hurt. Any idea what it was?
The first part is about this ⬇️ accident. Fortunately no-one got seriously hurt. Any idea what it was?
Reposted by Nicolaus
Polish ATC has cleared out eastern Poland's airspace, with only a single NATO tanker (and a number of unseen NATO fighters) patrolling the area.
The Polish military says it is on high alert, as Russian drones and cruise missiles target central and western Ukraine.
Souece : OSINTTechnical
The Polish military says it is on high alert, as Russian drones and cruise missiles target central and western Ukraine.
Souece : OSINTTechnical
September 28, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Polish ATC has cleared out eastern Poland's airspace, with only a single NATO tanker (and a number of unseen NATO fighters) patrolling the area.
The Polish military says it is on high alert, as Russian drones and cruise missiles target central and western Ukraine.
Souece : OSINTTechnical
The Polish military says it is on high alert, as Russian drones and cruise missiles target central and western Ukraine.
Souece : OSINTTechnical
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.