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PilotsEYE 23: MRU Mauritius – From Purser to Pilot roars back onto screens after a three-year silence, and trust us – it was worth the wait.

This post-pandemic masterpiece puts you in the jump seat of Condor’s magnificent A330neo, where every detail springs to life in stunning clarity. You’ll witness Captain Pierre Atlihan’s incredible rise from baggage handler to pilot – a story that has to be seen to be believed.

Experience the pure thrill of commanding this technological marvel, from its crystal-clear weather radar displays to the whisper-quiet power of its Trent 7000 engines. Prepare to be captivated by moments of genuine cockpit camaraderie, unexpected humor, and pure aviation magic that only PilotsEYE.tv can deliver.

Start PE23 MRU Condor A330neo “From Purser to Pilot”

Step onto the flight deck with Captain Pierre Atlihan, Condor’s Flight Safety Director, as he welcomes you aboard flight DE2314 from Frankfurt (EDDF) to Mauritius (FIMP). His story will inspire you. Watch as he recounts his remarkable journey from handling bags and serving meals as a purser to achieving his lifelong dream. With 15 years at Condor and 12 as captain, his infectious enthusiasm makes you feel like you’re right there, sharing in his achievement.

Walk Around – Inspect First, Fly Later

Join Senior First Officer Johannes Haedicke for an up-close-and-personal tour around this magnificent aircraft. You’ll get closer than ever to the massive engine intakes and sleek Sharklets during his meticulous “walkaround.” The morning sun gleams off the pristine fuselage as the A330neo stands ready for an unforgettable 10-hour journey across some of the most breathtaking airspace you’ll ever witness.

Before Start Checklist – The Symphony of Preparation

Experience the precision of modern aviation as you watch the crew execute their pre-flight ritual. Every detail matters as they calculate the critical V1 and VR speeds at 156 knots. You’ll be amazed by the seamless coordination as they verify weights, set thrust parameters, and prepare for departure. Watch as the route comes alive on their screens, plotting a course across Europe, over the sparkling Mediterranean, and into the vast African skies en route to paradise.

Pushback – Goodbye Gate, Hello Runway

Hold your breath as the pushback begins – this is where the magic starts. Watch the ground crew’s perfectly choreographed dance as they disconnect external power and monitor the wake of those mighty Rolls Royce engines springing to life. The distinctive low rumble tells you something special is about to happen. As the A330neo gracefully navigates toward Frankfurt’s Runway 18, you’ll feel the anticipation building with every meter. Get ready – this is just the beginning of an adventure you won’t want to miss.

Take Off – 4,000 Meters to Freedom

Hold onto your seats as the A330neo lines up on Frankfurt’s legendary “Startbahn West” – Runway 18! This isn’t just any runway; it’s a 4,000-meter masterpiece dedicated to southbound departures, cleverly tucked among forests to keep the neighbors happy. Watch in awe as those massive engines roar to life, lifting you into a spectacular journey across the Alps. Trust us – this moment is something you won’t want to miss!

From Purser to Pilot – Pierre’s Path to the Sky

Get ready for a story that proves dreams really do take flight! Pierre Atlihan’s journey from handling bags on the tarmac to commanding the skies is nothing short of extraordinary. Through determination and pure passion, he worked his way up from loader to purser, all while keeping his eyes on the cockpit prize. Now, as Condor’s Flight Safety Director, he’s not just flying planes – he’s shaping the future of aviation. You’ll want to hear this inspiring tale straight from the man himself!

Hangar – Difference A330neo – Wings of Change

Step inside the hangar where the magic happens! You won’t believe your eyes when you see those stunning fully composite blended winglets inspired by the A350, adding an extra 4 meters to each wing for a jaw-dropping 64-meter wingspan. These aren’t just any winglets; they’re Austrian-engineered masterpieces (FACC) that slash fuel consumption by 4%. Watch Pierre’s eyes light up as he shows you why these wings make the A330neo the star of Condor’s fleet!

Hangar – The New A330neo Engines – From Heat to Heights

Prepare to be amazed as we dive into the heart of the beast – the incredible Trent 7000 engines, exclusively powering the A330neo! Join Pierre and expert technician Jaouad as they reveal the mind-blowing technology behind these powerhouses. With nine times more air bypass than combustion and a whopping 72.8 tons of thrust per engine, these engineering marvels laugh in the face of high altitude and extreme heat. You’ll wish you could reach out and touch these gentle giants yourself!

Our Route from Frankfurt to Mauritius – Crossing Continents

Buckle up for an epic journey across three continents! Follow along as we soar from Frankfurt’s CINDY waypoint, dancing through European skies over Munich and Zagreb. Watch the Mediterranean sparkle below as we pass Thessaloniki and Athens before gliding into African airspace. From Cairo’s mysteries to Mogadishu’s coastline, every waypoint tells a story. This isn’t just a flight path – it’s a geography lesson that comes to life, showcasing the A330neo’s cutting-edge navigation technology!

Approach Mauritius – In the Dark, On the Mark

Experience the thrill of a pre-dawn arrival as our crew masterfully guides the A330neo through the darkness. Watch them tackle the challenges of limited taxiway lighting with the precision of seasoned professionals. Every instrument, every system, and every decision matters as they prepare for any scenario. It’s like watching an orchestra perform in perfect harmony – except this performance happens at 5:51 (local) in the morning, and the stage is set against a backdrop of tropical stars!

Mauritius Layover – The Crew’s Day Off

After guiding D-ANRI to its perfect pre-dawn landing, our crew trades the cockpit for a catamaran! Watch as Captain Pierre fulfills a dream, bringing his entire team together for an unforgettable day on the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean.

This isn’t merely a pause between flights; it’s a special moment when the flight deck and cabin crew bond like family, sharing laughter and creating memories before their journey home on June 15. With the sun casting vibrant tropical colors across the sky, the excitement for tomorrow’s adventure back to Frankfurt is palpable.

05:00 a.m. Crew Call – The First Step to Frankfurt

The tropical stars still sparkle overhead as our crew assembles for DE2315’s pre-dawn departure. It’s barely 5 AM, but there’s electricity in the air as Senior First Officer Johannes Haedicke steps up as today’s Commander, taking the reins of our gleaming D-ANRE.

Watch the crew huddle over weather charts and route plans, plotting their path home with alternates at Addis Ababa and Nairobi – because in aviation, having a Plan B (and C!) is just as crucial as Plan A. Every detail matters for our upcoming 11-hour-05-minute journey, from the perfect weight balance to the latest weather updates. As the crew board their shuttle to the airport, the first hints of dawn promise an exciting day ahead!

Route back to Frankfurt – From APKOT to FAWUR

Join us as D-ANRE lifts into the bright Mauritian morning at 08:17loc, embarking on an 11-hour adventure across Africa and the Mediterranean!

Our journey begins at APKOT (Port Louis), soaring over the Indian Ocean’s sparkling waters. Like breadcrumbs leading us home, we follow UVDOX (Antananarivo) and ULONI (Mogadishu) across the African coastline. ASTAR (Addis Ababa) and RASKA (Khartoum) guide us over ancient landscapes, while GIBAL (Jeddah) and LXR (Luxor) lead us along the historic Nile Valley. The Mediterranean welcomes us at ANTAR (Athens) and NOZ (Crete), their islands dotting the azure waters below. Finally, DOLEV (Zagreb) and VAMET (Vienna) shepherd us through familiar European skies before FAWUR (Frankfurt) brings us home to a perfect early landing at 17:22 local time, 28 minutes ahead of schedule.

Weather Radar – A Closer Look Behind the Nose

Have you ever wondered what helps pilots see through clouds? Take a peek beneath D-ANRE’s nose, where Captain Pierre reveals the aircraft’s weather-watching superpower – the Honeywell IntuVue RDR-4000 3D Multiscan Weather Radar!

This incredible system creates a four-dimensional picture of weather patterns, while the cutting-edge eWAS System/Software displays live weather data right in the cockpit. Watch Pierre’s eyes light up as he explains how these technologies help us navigate everything from tropical storms to European weather systems, making our 11-hour journey safer than ever before.

The Radio Antennas of A330neo – Lost in Transmission

Fly along as we unravel one of aviation’s little mysteries! When our calls to Madagascar Control (TANA) go unanswered, Pierre takes us behind the scenes to investigate. Watch as technician Jaouad reveals D-ANRE’s clever secret – three VHF antennas positioned like a “V” across the aircraft! One up front, one beneath, and one on top at the back, working together to keep us connected across oceans and continents. “Think of it as a ‘V’ for VHF,” Jaouad grins, sharing the kind of insider knowledge that makes aviation so fascinating!

Arrival at FRA – Humor on the Ground

What a grand finale to our 11-hour adventure! D-ANRE touches down in Frankfurt at 17:22, beating our schedule by 28 minutes. Watch as First Officer Johannes masters a perfect CAT III Dual Autoland approach to Runway 07R, dancing through shifty winds with the grace of a ballet performer. But the real fun begins during the taxi when an unexpected Lufthansa Airbus turns our simple route into an impromptu maze! Pierre’s exasperated “Na hammas jetzt?” (roughly “Really, now?”) captures what every pilot feels when best-laid plans meet reality. These moments remind us that even in the high-tech world of modern aviation, there’s always room for a good laugh!

Behind-the-Scenes Insights in This Episode

For the first time, the production of this episode tapped into the extensive aviation expertise of ROLIN Media from Vienna.

“It has always been a dream to collaborate with the PilotsEYE.tv team,” says Roland Töfferl, Managing Director of ROLIN Media
and first camera for this episode.

“It’s a perfect match – Roland is an ideal partner with the experience and vision to refresh the format,”
adds Thomas Aigner, creator and producer of the series.

New Pricing

Exciting updates include a significant price adjustment for our films. DVD and Blu-ray prices have been reduced by one-third, now available for €19.90. Video on Demand pricing on Amazon Prime and Vimeo on Demand has also been lowered, now just €9.90.

PilotsEYE Video on Demand Available in 27 Languages

For those looking to enjoy the documentary in more languages than the DVD or Blu-ray options, Video on Demand provides subtitles in 27 languages, including AR, BG, CN, CZ, DK, NL, EE, EN, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, ID, IT, JP, KR, LV, LT, NO, PL, BR, PT, RO, RU, SK, SI, ES, SE, TR, and UA.

PilotsEYE in Numbers

PilotsEYE.tv has released 23 episodes.
The brand’s community includes

50,000 Facebook followers and
420,000 YouTube subscribers,
with a total of 77 million views on YouTube.

Product Details

DVD:     EAN: 4260139481231 | ISBN: 978-3-943781-53-3 | ASIN: B0DNNHD7S1
Blu-ray: EAN: 4260139481330 | ISBN: 978-3-943781-63-2 | ASIN: B0DNV31VBH

DVD & Blu-ray Subtitles

English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Turkish.

Special Features

Autolooping – Enjoy continuous playback for uninterrupted viewing.

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