Excitement fills the air as we prepare for the pre-order launch of my latest photo calendar.

While flying has become commonplace for many, it still evokes a range of emotions, from the thrill of exploring distant lands to the serenity of soaring above the clouds. For me, flying is an everyday adventure, a journey that takes me above the clouds and across the globe.

Join me on the flight deck or the airport's tarmac as I share captivating moments captured through my camera lens. It is with great honor that I share my creative work, recognized as a winner at the International Photography Awards 2018. For the upcoming year I have carefully curated a collection of images inviting you to experience the beauty of flight from a pilot's perspective.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this project possible, especially my fellow pilots and internal departments for their unwavering support and permission to use the images. All pictures were taken during the non-sterile phase, on the ground, or as an observer in the third seat. For more insights into my daily adventures above the clouds, follow my Instagram account @sky_trotter and read my blog.

Because we care

Your purchase of this photo calendar goes beyond simply acquiring beautiful imagery; it signifies your active support for a meaningful cause. For every calendar sold, CHF 5 will be donated to the children's foundation of the SWISS employees (Stiftung Kinderhilfe des SWISS Personals) to provide assistance to kids in need around the world. Learn more on their website.

This project is proudly produced entirely in Switzerland in close collaboration with local businesses. All arising CO2 emissions are offset through donations to ClimatePartner, funding global climate action and ensuring carbon neutrality. Production adheres to FSC standards from wood processing to the final print, guaranteeing that the paper originates from environmentally and socially responsible forestry practices.

Thank you for joining me in making a positive impact and supporting me in my commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Let's take a closer look.

Embark on a captivating journey through my 2023 photo calendar, offering unique glimpses into my daily life as an airline pilot. Each image captures a moment of beauty and wonder, from breathtaking aerial vistas to intimate cockpit scenes. Discover the world from a pilot's perspective and let these images transport you to the heart of aviation.

Secure your copy today and embark on this extraordinary visual adventure. Visit my shop to order your calendar now. Click here to get to get your copy>

Sailing above the Sand

On our way home from Johannesburg, we're witnessing a mesmerizing sunrise as the first rays of the new day illuminate the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert. Despite its stunning beauty, we traverse a desolate and inhospitable environment. We depend on technological marvels, such as GPS navigation and long-range communication systems, to ensure safe passage through this remote region of the world.

Get your copy today

Did you enjoy these impressions from my daily life as an airline pilot? Head over to my shop to get your copy today.

Click here to get to the store>

It might sound early bu: It is this time of the year again!

I have to admit, that I am quoting a famous movie where they say, "same procedure as every year!"...well here we go again:

Welcome to a look behind the scenes of my latest photo calendar, which will soon be available for pre-order.

For many of us, flying has become ordinary. Fortunately, it still inspires many of us and creates lots of emotions. May it be the excitement to travel to a far distant place, or the joy to soar above the clouds and watch the world pass by underneath, or last but not least, the thrill it creates if the airways are a bit bumpier than expected. What does flying mean to you?

My daily life in the flight deck takes me above the clouds and across the globe. One of my constant travel companions is my camera. I have carefully curated some of my favorite views and would like to share the most extraordinary and awe-inspiring moments in this calendar with you. I am glad to have you join me on the flight deck or the airport's tarmac and experience the beauty of flight from a pilot's perspective. For more insights into my daily adventures above the clouds, make sure to follow my Instagram account «@sky_trotter» and read my blog.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all involved in making this project possible. A special appreciation goes out to my fellow pilots, internal departments for their support and permission to use the images. All pictures were taken during the non-sterile phase, on the ground, or as an observer in the third seat.

I am honored that my creative work was selected as a winner at the International Photography Awards 2018.

Because we care

I am very proud to inform you that you support a cause for good by purchasing this photo calendar. For every copy sold, I donate CHF 5.- to the children's foundation of the SWISS employees (Stiftung Kinderhilfe des SWISS Personals). Visit their website for further information. Thank you very much for your support.

This project is produced entirely in Switzerland and promotes an effort for the global climate issue. All arising CO2 emissions are compensated by donations towards projects of MyClimate, making this project carbon neutral. From wood processing to the finished print, the production takes place per FSC-standards. Therefore, the used paper originates from environmentally-friendly and socially acceptable managed forests.

Let's take a closer look.

Read the picture description down below. These are the pictures of my 2023 photo calendar with some very different insights into my daily life as an airline pilot. Head over to my shop to get your copy today. Click here to get to the store>

Golden Hour Roar

Certainly a particular impressive vantage point of this Boeing B777 kissed by the morning sun rays. Unlike its sibling in the background, this behemoth airliner stays firmly on the ground while undergoing a maintenance visit. The mechanics and engineers thoroughly test its systems before signing it off to go airborne again. They include a so-called high-power run-up where they throttle up the two mighty GE90 engines to gain the confidence that they are good to go too.

Get your copy today

Did you enjoy these impressions from my daily life as an airline pilot? Head over to my shop to get your copy today.

Click here to get to the store>

It is this time of the year again!

Quoting a famous movie, they say, "same procedure as every year!"

Welcome to a look behind the scenes of my latest photo calendar, which is now available to pre-order.

For many of us, flying has become ordinary. Fortunately, it still inspires many of us and creates lots of emotions. May it be the excitement to travel to a far distant place, or the joy to soar above the clouds and watch the world pass by underneath, or last but not least, the thrill it creates if the airways are a bit bumpier than expected. What does flying mean to you?

My daily life in the flight deck takes me above the clouds and across the globe. One of my constant travel companions is my camera. I have carefully curated some of my favorite views and would like to share the most extraordinary and awe-inspiring moments in this calendar with you. I am glad to have you join me on the flight deck or the airport's tarmac and experience the beauty of flight from a pilot's perspective. For more insights into my daily adventures above the clouds, make sure to follow my Instagram account «@sky_trotter» and read my blog.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all involved in making this project possible. A special appreciation goes out to my fellow pilots, internal departments for their support and permission to use the images. All pictures were taken during the non-sterile phase, on the ground, or as an observer in the third seat.

I am honored that my creative work was selected as a winner at the International Photography Awards 2018.

Because we care

I am very proud to inform you that you support a cause for good by purchasing this photo calendar. For every copy sold, I donate CHF 5.- to the children's foundation of the SWISS employees (Stiftung Kinderhilfe des SWISS Personals). Visit their website for further information. Thank you very much for your support.

This project is produced entirely in Switzerland and promotes an effort for the global climate issue. All arising CO2 emissions are compensated by donations towards projects of MyClimate, making this project carbon neutral. From wood processing to the finished print, the production takes place per FSC-standards. Therefore, the used paper originates from environmentally-friendly and socially acceptable managed forests.

Let's take a closer look.

Read the picture description down below. These are the pictures of my 2020 photo calendar with some very different insights into my daily life as an airline pilot. Head over to my shop to get your copy today. Click here to get to the store>

Colorful Sunrise

An early morning departure from Zurich takes us above the sea of fog and along the Swiss Alps. In a few moments, the first warm rays of the rising sun will illuminate the magnificent peaks and turn the faint morning sky into a colorful spectacle as we are passing by mount Säntis with the Bernina mountain range adorning the horizon.

Get your copy today

Did you enjoy these impressions from my daily life as an airline pilot? Head over to my shop to get your copy today.

Click here to get to the store>

 Most of the time, pilots fly the landing manually, except in low-visibility conditions, as seen here aboard this Airbus A220, seconds from the touchdown at Munich Airport. The pilots are fully focused on monitoring the autopilot, and the aircraft systems, as the airplane is about to perform an automatic landing in as little as 200m visibility.

Thankfully flying is an outdoor activity that allows us to witness breathtaking weather phenomenon from a unique vantage point. Luckily, my home base Zurich Airport is located within the moderate latitudes, offering the chance to see all the beauty the four seasons have to offer. But with the beauty come some challenges too: Winter calls for contaminated runways and lengthy de-icing, spring and fall often have far-reaching blankets of thick fog in store for us. Generally, flying within these conditions is safe as long as we follow the supplementary procedures closely. Still, it's fair to say that they create an additional workload for all involved too.

Without diving too deep into technical facts and operational regulations, an airliner can generally be manually landed (flown by the pilot) with a visibility of 550m or more. We can distinguish today's approach types between precision and non-precision approaches. They differentiate mainly by the technology involved. A Non-Precision Approach is based on two-dimensional guidance, while a precision approach is three-dimensional. The recent years have brought a giant leap forward in technology, and navigation tends more and more towards satellite-based navigation. However, all current approach types of operating in low visibility conditions are still ground-based. The most common one is the ILS or instrument landing system. Its lateral and vertical radio signals guide the aircraft from a defined final approach point (FAP) to the runway.

Depending on the installed components and level of certification, an approach gets assigned a particular approach category. The most basic one for an ILS is a CAT1 (requiring 550m visibility or more), and the most advanced one, CAT3c, allows a landing with no visibility at all. As the latter needs significantly constricting back-up systems and comprehensive calibration and certification, no airport has implemented it to my knowledge. And from a practical standpoint, where would you go once you land in zero visibility and stop your aircraft on the runway if you can't see anything? Even if there's a follow-me vehicle to guide you, none of you can see each other to understand which way to take. As a result, you'll be stuck on the runway until and unless the visibility improves. Therefore most bigger airports offer CAT3b approaches that require visibility of at least 75m. It is essential to understand that one needs to distinguish between an automatic landing and low visibility procedures. While the latter is something the concerns operational and procedural aspects on the ground and in the airplane, the first one is purely a matter of installed technology on the aircraft.

Simply put, we could automatically land (let the autopilot do the work) on many runways (of course still with some restrictions) with at least a CAT2 ILS installed as long as all the required airplane systems are functional. But once the visibility reduces below 550m, things start to get complicated. Now the so-called "low visibility procedures" are in force (called-out by the airport/air traffic control), putting a whole set of regulations and requirements in place. They include technical aspects of the ground equipment (a malfunction of individual runway lights or transmitters could cause a downgrade). The aircraft systems require all involved parties (pilots and air traffic controllers) to be trained qualified for the specific level. And above all, the pilot's low-visibility operation is exclusively performed in Command (Of course, with the autopilot engaged).

To put it into a nutshell: Flying in foggy weather is safe but certainly very complex and requires a thorough preparation in the flight deck.

A new day dawns on the horizon as we fly east above the lake of Constance, preparing our approach to runway 26R at Munich Airport. A little over an hour back, we started duty in Geneva and reviewed the briefing package. This pile of information tells us, pilots, what the upcoming day might have in store for us. The information cover weather aspects, just as much as operational information about the assigned aircraft or the airport we will operate from or to and is coded into an aviation-slang that originates back in the day when the communication technology was far from digital. We streak-through the briefing package in a pre-defined order looking for extra-ordinary facts and condensate them into specials and hazards. At first, this might sound "critical," but it is our approach to distinguish between the ordinary and those factors that might call for extra attention. While neither the aircraft nor the airports have any significant deficiencies, the Munich Airport weather forecast predicts thick fog in the morning. We expect that there will be so-called "low visibility procedures" in force calling for a reduced traffic flow rate.

Flying in such reduced visibility is among the primary things we train in every simulator session, while it is rather seldom in real life. It is the moment the autopilot takes over for the landing, and we pilots become spectators in a very complex system.

The thick layer of fog only covers the ground, making it is surreal to slowly descend into this sea of clouds knowing that we are only a few hundred meters above the ground. "Five hundred", the radio altimeter calls out our height above the ground. A few moments ago, we were cleared to land, and we received the final information about the current visibility. It is just over 250m along the whole runway.

Both pilots continuously monitor the systems and navigation indications. Any excessive deviation (could be caused by another airplane taxiing too close to the runway) or a technical deficiency would require a Go-Around. As almost all landings are manually flown, it takes some time to get used to that feeling of "handing over control" to the autopilot. We are diving into the fog, and soon the system will call out "Approaching minimums" as we are coming over the runway. I start to see some faint lights ahead. They gradually become more intense, and I can associate them with the runway light system. To proceed with the landing, I need to acquire specific visual cues. In the case of a CAT3a approach, at least three consecutive lights of the touchdown zone light, the runway edge lights, the runway centerline lights, or the combination thereof. Please take a look at the picture above and try it yourself. "Minimums" - What's your verdict? Are we allowed to land?

About "Behind the Image"

In my photo calendar "Up in the Sky" I get to share my favorite aviation pictures with you. This blog series will complement the product and will tell the story about the moment the picture was taken. It will also share comprehensive information about what happend on the flight deck.

The Lauberhorn Ski Race is the longest downhill run of the World Cup circuit and Switzerland's biggest annual winter sports event. As an established attraction, the Patrouille Suisse, Swiss Air Forces aerobatic demonstration team, performs a spectacular airshow set against the breathtaking alpine backdrop, often joined by an airliner.

Have you ever imagined how it must feel like to precisely navigate between the tight gates while racing down a steep, icy slope at up to 150km/h? Surely the adrenaline levels spike at times of slight irregularities, but maybe that's just the needed satisfaction for those doing it. A ski racer has quite a lot in common with an airline pilot: Everything boils down to a short period of absolute focus and skills, where failure is not an option. While both need an excellent team in the background, paving their path to success, their preparation needs to be meticulous. That couldn't be any more true as for the crews of the display pilots of the flights at the Lauberhorn Ski Race, and I had the privilege to accompany them on several occasions and document the extraordinary flights.

After countless hours of planning and briefing, individual preparation, and joint simulator sessions, they are ready for the real flight. The F5E Tiger pilots are certainly "within" their comfort zone while performing such a display flight with an airliner is not only a career highlight but a big challenge too. Imagine flying a closely clocked program in an airliner within an arena of 3500m high peaks that probably create the most spectacular scenery in the Alps while being trailed by six fighter jets in tight formation at up to 400km/h. I would say everything needs to be flawless, and just as for the ski racer: Errors are not an option.

We fly somewhere over rural Switzerland just north of the Alps and wait until we get joined by the Patrouille Suisse. It was an exciting experience to watch my colleagues prepare for today's flight. They are excited yet fully focussed and know the display program by heart. Soon the fighter jets join us, and after a couple of sweeping turns to get in the flow, we start to head for the Lauberhorn venue. While the past days offered some dull and grey weather, they also made sure the Alps were freshly-powdered. On the race day, a perfect winter wonderland awaits us, and the stage was set for a successful ski race and a breathtaking display flight in front of thousands of spectators on the ground.

The Alps never cease to take our breath away and cast a spell on many of us. Those routes that take me across the rugged peaks and twisted valleys are among my favorite ones, and I call it a vast privilege to have such beautiful scenery just at my doorstep. Flights in and out of Zurich or Geneva offer stunning sights, and even for us "frequent flyer" flying the "scenic" routes amazes us over and over again. But flying so close to those peaks and feeling the perfect line we were flying certainly got me some tears of joy in the eyes. We zoomed across spectacular ridges, and freshly powdered treelines climbed along the race tracks and did tight turns in front of the famous mountain formation "Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau." It was a blast to feel the pilots' precision and skills and see the pictures shot from the ground; I am confident the spectators certainly felt the same way. Inbetween our fly-pasts, the Patrouille Suisse performed their program before joining us again for a final flyby. It was time to hand the flag over to the ski racers and heading back to our bases. And the show continued as the Swiss ski racers certainly didn't fail to amaze by securing the victory at one of the most challenging and longest downhill ski race in the world cup circus.

Back in 2015 I got the chance to create and tell the story about the similarities of the ski racers and the display pilots.

About "Behind the Image"

In my photo calendar "Up in the Sky" I get to share my favorite aviation pictures with you. This blog series will complement the product and will tell the story about the moment the picture was taken. It will also share comprehensive information about what happend on the flight deck.

Excitement fills the air as we prepare for the pre-order launch of my latest photo calendar.

While flying has become commonplace for many, it still evokes a range of emotions, from the thrill of exploring distant lands to the serenity of soaring above the clouds. For me, flying is an everyday adventure, a journey that takes me above the clouds and across the globe.

Join me on the flight deck or the airport's tarmac as I share captivating moments captured through my camera lens. It is with great honor that I share my creative work, recognized as a winner at the International Photography Awards 2018. For the upcoming year I have carefully curated a collection of images inviting you to experience the beauty of flight from a pilot's perspective.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this project possible, especially my fellow pilots and internal departments for their unwavering support and permission to use the images. All pictures were taken during the non-sterile phase, on the ground, or as an observer in the third seat. For more insights into my daily adventures above the clouds, follow my Instagram account @sky_trotter and read my blog.

Because we care

Your purchase of this photo calendar goes beyond simply acquiring beautiful imagery; it signifies your active support for a meaningful cause. For every calendar sold, CHF 5 will be donated to the children's foundation of the SWISS employees (Stiftung Kinderhilfe des SWISS Personals) to provide assistance to kids in need around the world. Learn more on their website.

This project is proudly produced entirely in Switzerland in close collaboration with local businesses. All arising CO2 emissions are offset through donations to ClimatePartner, funding global climate action and ensuring carbon neutrality. Production adheres to FSC standards from wood processing to the final print, guaranteeing that the paper originates from environmentally and socially responsible forestry practices.

Thank you for joining me in making a positive impact and supporting me in my commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Let's take a closer look.

Embark on a captivating journey through my 2023 photo calendar, offering unique glimpses into my daily life as an airline pilot. Each image captures a moment of beauty and wonder, from breathtaking aerial vistas to intimate cockpit scenes. Discover the world from a pilot's perspective and let these images transport you to the heart of aviation.

Secure your copy today and embark on this extraordinary visual adventure. Visit my shop to order your calendar now. Click here to get to get your copy>

Sailing above the Sand

On our way home from Johannesburg, we're witnessing a mesmerizing sunrise as the first rays of the new day illuminate the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert. Despite its stunning beauty, we traverse a desolate and inhospitable environment. We depend on technological marvels, such as GPS navigation and long-range communication systems, to ensure safe passage through this remote region of the world.

Get your copy today

Did you enjoy these impressions from my daily life as an airline pilot? Head over to my shop to get your copy today.

Click here to get to the store>

It might sound early bu: It is this time of the year again!

I have to admit, that I am quoting a famous movie where they say, "same procedure as every year!"...well here we go again:

Welcome to a look behind the scenes of my latest photo calendar, which will soon be available for pre-order.

For many of us, flying has become ordinary. Fortunately, it still inspires many of us and creates lots of emotions. May it be the excitement to travel to a far distant place, or the joy to soar above the clouds and watch the world pass by underneath, or last but not least, the thrill it creates if the airways are a bit bumpier than expected. What does flying mean to you?

My daily life in the flight deck takes me above the clouds and across the globe. One of my constant travel companions is my camera. I have carefully curated some of my favorite views and would like to share the most extraordinary and awe-inspiring moments in this calendar with you. I am glad to have you join me on the flight deck or the airport's tarmac and experience the beauty of flight from a pilot's perspective. For more insights into my daily adventures above the clouds, make sure to follow my Instagram account «@sky_trotter» and read my blog.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all involved in making this project possible. A special appreciation goes out to my fellow pilots, internal departments for their support and permission to use the images. All pictures were taken during the non-sterile phase, on the ground, or as an observer in the third seat.

I am honored that my creative work was selected as a winner at the International Photography Awards 2018.

Because we care

I am very proud to inform you that you support a cause for good by purchasing this photo calendar. For every copy sold, I donate CHF 5.- to the children's foundation of the SWISS employees (Stiftung Kinderhilfe des SWISS Personals). Visit their website for further information. Thank you very much for your support.

This project is produced entirely in Switzerland and promotes an effort for the global climate issue. All arising CO2 emissions are compensated by donations towards projects of MyClimate, making this project carbon neutral. From wood processing to the finished print, the production takes place per FSC-standards. Therefore, the used paper originates from environmentally-friendly and socially acceptable managed forests.

Let's take a closer look.

Read the picture description down below. These are the pictures of my 2023 photo calendar with some very different insights into my daily life as an airline pilot. Head over to my shop to get your copy today. Click here to get to the store>

Golden Hour Roar

Certainly a particular impressive vantage point of this Boeing B777 kissed by the morning sun rays. Unlike its sibling in the background, this behemoth airliner stays firmly on the ground while undergoing a maintenance visit. The mechanics and engineers thoroughly test its systems before signing it off to go airborne again. They include a so-called high-power run-up where they throttle up the two mighty GE90 engines to gain the confidence that they are good to go too.

Get your copy today

Did you enjoy these impressions from my daily life as an airline pilot? Head over to my shop to get your copy today.

Click here to get to the store>

It is this time of the year again!

Quoting a famous movie, they say, "same procedure as every year!"

Welcome to a look behind the scenes of my latest photo calendar, which is now available to pre-order.

For many of us, flying has become ordinary. Fortunately, it still inspires many of us and creates lots of emotions. May it be the excitement to travel to a far distant place, or the joy to soar above the clouds and watch the world pass by underneath, or last but not least, the thrill it creates if the airways are a bit bumpier than expected. What does flying mean to you?

My daily life in the flight deck takes me above the clouds and across the globe. One of my constant travel companions is my camera. I have carefully curated some of my favorite views and would like to share the most extraordinary and awe-inspiring moments in this calendar with you. I am glad to have you join me on the flight deck or the airport's tarmac and experience the beauty of flight from a pilot's perspective. For more insights into my daily adventures above the clouds, make sure to follow my Instagram account «@sky_trotter» and read my blog.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all involved in making this project possible. A special appreciation goes out to my fellow pilots, internal departments for their support and permission to use the images. All pictures were taken during the non-sterile phase, on the ground, or as an observer in the third seat.

I am honored that my creative work was selected as a winner at the International Photography Awards 2018.

Because we care

I am very proud to inform you that you support a cause for good by purchasing this photo calendar. For every copy sold, I donate CHF 5.- to the children's foundation of the SWISS employees (Stiftung Kinderhilfe des SWISS Personals). Visit their website for further information. Thank you very much for your support.

This project is produced entirely in Switzerland and promotes an effort for the global climate issue. All arising CO2 emissions are compensated by donations towards projects of MyClimate, making this project carbon neutral. From wood processing to the finished print, the production takes place per FSC-standards. Therefore, the used paper originates from environmentally-friendly and socially acceptable managed forests.

Let's take a closer look.

Read the picture description down below. These are the pictures of my 2020 photo calendar with some very different insights into my daily life as an airline pilot. Head over to my shop to get your copy today. Click here to get to the store>

Colorful Sunrise

An early morning departure from Zurich takes us above the sea of fog and along the Swiss Alps. In a few moments, the first warm rays of the rising sun will illuminate the magnificent peaks and turn the faint morning sky into a colorful spectacle as we are passing by mount Säntis with the Bernina mountain range adorning the horizon.

Get your copy today

Did you enjoy these impressions from my daily life as an airline pilot? Head over to my shop to get your copy today.

Click here to get to the store>

 Most of the time, pilots fly the landing manually, except in low-visibility conditions, as seen here aboard this Airbus A220, seconds from the touchdown at Munich Airport. The pilots are fully focused on monitoring the autopilot, and the aircraft systems, as the airplane is about to perform an automatic landing in as little as 200m visibility.

Thankfully flying is an outdoor activity that allows us to witness breathtaking weather phenomenon from a unique vantage point. Luckily, my home base Zurich Airport is located within the moderate latitudes, offering the chance to see all the beauty the four seasons have to offer. But with the beauty come some challenges too: Winter calls for contaminated runways and lengthy de-icing, spring and fall often have far-reaching blankets of thick fog in store for us. Generally, flying within these conditions is safe as long as we follow the supplementary procedures closely. Still, it's fair to say that they create an additional workload for all involved too.

Without diving too deep into technical facts and operational regulations, an airliner can generally be manually landed (flown by the pilot) with a visibility of 550m or more. We can distinguish today's approach types between precision and non-precision approaches. They differentiate mainly by the technology involved. A Non-Precision Approach is based on two-dimensional guidance, while a precision approach is three-dimensional. The recent years have brought a giant leap forward in technology, and navigation tends more and more towards satellite-based navigation. However, all current approach types of operating in low visibility conditions are still ground-based. The most common one is the ILS or instrument landing system. Its lateral and vertical radio signals guide the aircraft from a defined final approach point (FAP) to the runway.

Depending on the installed components and level of certification, an approach gets assigned a particular approach category. The most basic one for an ILS is a CAT1 (requiring 550m visibility or more), and the most advanced one, CAT3c, allows a landing with no visibility at all. As the latter needs significantly constricting back-up systems and comprehensive calibration and certification, no airport has implemented it to my knowledge. And from a practical standpoint, where would you go once you land in zero visibility and stop your aircraft on the runway if you can't see anything? Even if there's a follow-me vehicle to guide you, none of you can see each other to understand which way to take. As a result, you'll be stuck on the runway until and unless the visibility improves. Therefore most bigger airports offer CAT3b approaches that require visibility of at least 75m. It is essential to understand that one needs to distinguish between an automatic landing and low visibility procedures. While the latter is something the concerns operational and procedural aspects on the ground and in the airplane, the first one is purely a matter of installed technology on the aircraft.

Simply put, we could automatically land (let the autopilot do the work) on many runways (of course still with some restrictions) with at least a CAT2 ILS installed as long as all the required airplane systems are functional. But once the visibility reduces below 550m, things start to get complicated. Now the so-called "low visibility procedures" are in force (called-out by the airport/air traffic control), putting a whole set of regulations and requirements in place. They include technical aspects of the ground equipment (a malfunction of individual runway lights or transmitters could cause a downgrade). The aircraft systems require all involved parties (pilots and air traffic controllers) to be trained qualified for the specific level. And above all, the pilot's low-visibility operation is exclusively performed in Command (Of course, with the autopilot engaged).

To put it into a nutshell: Flying in foggy weather is safe but certainly very complex and requires a thorough preparation in the flight deck.

A new day dawns on the horizon as we fly east above the lake of Constance, preparing our approach to runway 26R at Munich Airport. A little over an hour back, we started duty in Geneva and reviewed the briefing package. This pile of information tells us, pilots, what the upcoming day might have in store for us. The information cover weather aspects, just as much as operational information about the assigned aircraft or the airport we will operate from or to and is coded into an aviation-slang that originates back in the day when the communication technology was far from digital. We streak-through the briefing package in a pre-defined order looking for extra-ordinary facts and condensate them into specials and hazards. At first, this might sound "critical," but it is our approach to distinguish between the ordinary and those factors that might call for extra attention. While neither the aircraft nor the airports have any significant deficiencies, the Munich Airport weather forecast predicts thick fog in the morning. We expect that there will be so-called "low visibility procedures" in force calling for a reduced traffic flow rate.

Flying in such reduced visibility is among the primary things we train in every simulator session, while it is rather seldom in real life. It is the moment the autopilot takes over for the landing, and we pilots become spectators in a very complex system.

The thick layer of fog only covers the ground, making it is surreal to slowly descend into this sea of clouds knowing that we are only a few hundred meters above the ground. "Five hundred", the radio altimeter calls out our height above the ground. A few moments ago, we were cleared to land, and we received the final information about the current visibility. It is just over 250m along the whole runway.

Both pilots continuously monitor the systems and navigation indications. Any excessive deviation (could be caused by another airplane taxiing too close to the runway) or a technical deficiency would require a Go-Around. As almost all landings are manually flown, it takes some time to get used to that feeling of "handing over control" to the autopilot. We are diving into the fog, and soon the system will call out "Approaching minimums" as we are coming over the runway. I start to see some faint lights ahead. They gradually become more intense, and I can associate them with the runway light system. To proceed with the landing, I need to acquire specific visual cues. In the case of a CAT3a approach, at least three consecutive lights of the touchdown zone light, the runway edge lights, the runway centerline lights, or the combination thereof. Please take a look at the picture above and try it yourself. "Minimums" - What's your verdict? Are we allowed to land?

About "Behind the Image"

In my photo calendar "Up in the Sky" I get to share my favorite aviation pictures with you. This blog series will complement the product and will tell the story about the moment the picture was taken. It will also share comprehensive information about what happend on the flight deck.

The Lauberhorn Ski Race is the longest downhill run of the World Cup circuit and Switzerland's biggest annual winter sports event. As an established attraction, the Patrouille Suisse, Swiss Air Forces aerobatic demonstration team, performs a spectacular airshow set against the breathtaking alpine backdrop, often joined by an airliner.

Have you ever imagined how it must feel like to precisely navigate between the tight gates while racing down a steep, icy slope at up to 150km/h? Surely the adrenaline levels spike at times of slight irregularities, but maybe that's just the needed satisfaction for those doing it. A ski racer has quite a lot in common with an airline pilot: Everything boils down to a short period of absolute focus and skills, where failure is not an option. While both need an excellent team in the background, paving their path to success, their preparation needs to be meticulous. That couldn't be any more true as for the crews of the display pilots of the flights at the Lauberhorn Ski Race, and I had the privilege to accompany them on several occasions and document the extraordinary flights.

After countless hours of planning and briefing, individual preparation, and joint simulator sessions, they are ready for the real flight. The F5E Tiger pilots are certainly "within" their comfort zone while performing such a display flight with an airliner is not only a career highlight but a big challenge too. Imagine flying a closely clocked program in an airliner within an arena of 3500m high peaks that probably create the most spectacular scenery in the Alps while being trailed by six fighter jets in tight formation at up to 400km/h. I would say everything needs to be flawless, and just as for the ski racer: Errors are not an option.

We fly somewhere over rural Switzerland just north of the Alps and wait until we get joined by the Patrouille Suisse. It was an exciting experience to watch my colleagues prepare for today's flight. They are excited yet fully focussed and know the display program by heart. Soon the fighter jets join us, and after a couple of sweeping turns to get in the flow, we start to head for the Lauberhorn venue. While the past days offered some dull and grey weather, they also made sure the Alps were freshly-powdered. On the race day, a perfect winter wonderland awaits us, and the stage was set for a successful ski race and a breathtaking display flight in front of thousands of spectators on the ground.

The Alps never cease to take our breath away and cast a spell on many of us. Those routes that take me across the rugged peaks and twisted valleys are among my favorite ones, and I call it a vast privilege to have such beautiful scenery just at my doorstep. Flights in and out of Zurich or Geneva offer stunning sights, and even for us "frequent flyer" flying the "scenic" routes amazes us over and over again. But flying so close to those peaks and feeling the perfect line we were flying certainly got me some tears of joy in the eyes. We zoomed across spectacular ridges, and freshly powdered treelines climbed along the race tracks and did tight turns in front of the famous mountain formation "Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau." It was a blast to feel the pilots' precision and skills and see the pictures shot from the ground; I am confident the spectators certainly felt the same way. Inbetween our fly-pasts, the Patrouille Suisse performed their program before joining us again for a final flyby. It was time to hand the flag over to the ski racers and heading back to our bases. And the show continued as the Swiss ski racers certainly didn't fail to amaze by securing the victory at one of the most challenging and longest downhill ski race in the world cup circus.

Back in 2015 I got the chance to create and tell the story about the similarities of the ski racers and the display pilots.

About "Behind the Image"

In my photo calendar "Up in the Sky" I get to share my favorite aviation pictures with you. This blog series will complement the product and will tell the story about the moment the picture was taken. It will also share comprehensive information about what happend on the flight deck.