At about 300 feet AGL (above ground level) you say, "Flaps up", and Michelle pulls up the flaps and confirms the action by saying, "Flaps up and trimmed." You then bark, "Airspeed one zero five" and your co-pilot responds with, "I will maintain this airspeed until you touch the brake switch." Next, you manually turn on the Auto-Pilot or perhaps you simply say, "Auto-Pilot on", in which case Michelle flips on the switch and reports, "The auto pilot is on." You say, "Climb and maintain six thousand" and she sets the altitude to 6,000 feet and loads the default vertical rate of climb to 700 feet per minute. You then say, "Turn left heading zero five zero". Michelle rotates the Bug to 050 and says, "Heading set to zero five zero... Roger."

It's Easy!
Put in the simplest of terms, just about every cockpit function can be controlled by your voice. Refer to the commands section for details.

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Here's a cute function that Michelle loves to do... say, "Maintain taxi speed" and see what happens! Once again, almost every cockpit function can be controlled by your voice. Please refer to the commands section for details.

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Michelle Calls Out the Checklist Items
Sure, Michelle calls out all of the checklist items as any good co-pilot would. However, if you ask, she also executes certain parts of the checklist for you!   Not only that but on your command, she actually flies the plane at certain points.

Michelle Assists you with the Takeoff and Climbout
You've just completed the Before Takeoff checklist and you've received takeoff clearance from the Tower. Michelle asks, "Captain, would you like me to execute the takeoff and climb out checklists, and assist you with the takeoff?" You respond with "Affirmative", or "Yes please". Whether you are rumbling down the runway in a Boeing 747-400 jumbo-liner, or putt-putting along in a Cessna C172, Michelle automatically calls out the proper V1, Rotate and V2 airspeeds. Once positive rate of climb is obtained, and without you saying a word, Michelle pulls up the landing gear on the 747 and retracts the flaps at the proper airspeeds. In the case of the 747-400, Michelle turns off the Takeoff/Go Around switch (TO/GA), turns off the Taxi Lights, turns on the Auto-Pilot, sets the heading, engages the Altitude Hold, and performs many other functions, all at their proper time and altitude, and in the correct sequence.

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Above 10,000 Feet
As you climb through 10,000 feet, Michelle asks, "Captain, we have climbed through ten thousand feet. Should I adjust the airspeed?" You say "Yes please" and Michelle sets the Airspeed to 300 knots... after all, she always knows the correct airspeed for this part of the climbout, whatever the aircraft. She then automatically turns off the Landing Lights.

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Above 13,000 Feet
As the aircraft passes through 13,000 feet, Michelle calls for the Fasten Seat Belts sign to be turned off. This presupposes that, due to turbulence, she has not already instructed the passengers to remain in their seats with their Seat Belts securely fastened, in which case, Michelle automatically turns off the Seat Belts sign once the aircraft stabilizes.

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Passing Through 18,000 Feet
As the aircraft climbs through the Transition Level (18,000 feet), Michelle automatically resets the Altimeter to 29.92 (or 1013 Millibars) then asks if you would like her to maintain an optimized Airspeed through the climb and descent. You answer, "Yes please" or "Affirmative". Throughout the flight you notice the Mach speed changing periodically as Michelle works to maintain an airspeed of approximately 11 percent below the barberpole.

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Flight-Following Channel
Once a General Aviation aircraft, like a Cessna C172 or a Mooney Bravo climbs above 5,000 feet, the Flight-Following system becomes active. Depending on the geographical areas that the aircraft is passing over, Michelle points out items of interest on the left side of the aircraft to you, and tells you what she sees on the right side. In addition, Michelle gives you the ground temperature at various places en route.

If you are flying a jetliner, once the aircraft climbs above Flight Level 205, Michelle performs Flight-Following announcements to those passengers who are listening to that channel with their headsets. Once again, depending on the geographical areas that the aircraft is passing over, she announces items of interest to passengers on the left and/or right sides of the aircraft and also indicates the ground temperatures.

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Cruising Level
Once the aircraft reaches its Cruising Flight Level, Michelle recommends that you execute the short Cruise Checklist. You simply say, "Cruise checklist" and Michelle asks you to check the Flight and Engine Instruments, verify that the Fuel Quantity is correct and confirm that the Radios are properly set. On longer flights, Michelle repeats the Cruise Checklist every 20 minutes or so.

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Turbulence and Fasten Seat Belts Warnings!
If the aircraft experiences excessive turbulence, Michelle turns on the Fasten Seat Belts sign and announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first officer speaking. Please ensure that you are in your seats with your seat belts securely fastened, as we are expecting some turbulence up ahead. Thank you." Once the aircraft has stabilized, Michelle turns off the Fasten Seat Belts sign and says, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first officer. I have turned off the fasten seat belts sign and you are free to move about the cabin. However, while in your seats, we suggest that you do as we do up front, and keep your seat belts fastened at all times. Thank you."

Whenever Michelle is controlling the airspeed, she strives to keep it at approximately 11 percent below the barberpole. She may automatically extend the spoilers to 25% or 50% and rapidly decrease the Mach speed if the aircraft experiences severe tail winds and/or Clear Air Turbulence (CAT). Once the proper airspeed is regained, Michelle automatically retracts the spoilers.

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Descending to 10,000 Feet
As the aircraft begins its descent, Michelle asks, "Captain. Do you want me to go through the descent checklist?" You respond by saying "Yes please" and she calls out the checklist items. Since she has been asked to control the airspeed, you notice the Mach speed setting decreasing as the aircraft descends. When the aircraft drops below 20,000 feet, Michelle says, "Captain, I will let you take care of the airspeed until we begin our approach towards final. Please switch the display from mach speed, to airspeed." Michelle then says, "Captain, don't forget to check the altimeter setting once we drop below the transition level." On the way down to 10,000 feet, Michelle says, "I recommend an airspeed of 240 knots."

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Descending Below 10,000 Feet
As the aircraft descends below 10,000 feet, Michelle turns on the Landing Lights, arms the Auto-Spoilers, and asks you to set the Auto-Brakes to the desired position. She then asks that you verify the Course setting, ensure that the NAV/GPS switch is set on NAV, verify that the Fuel Quantity is correct, and reminds you to turn on both the Fasten Seat Belts and No Smoking signs.

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Approach and Landing
In this section, let's assume that we are flying a 747-400. At approximately 20 miles out, Michelle asks "Captain. Do you want me to go through the approach and landing checklists and assist you with the landing?" You respond with, "Affirmative". She ensures that the avionics are on and that the radios are properly set and makes sure that the NAV/GPS is set on NAV. Assuming that this is an ILS approach, Michelle reports when both the Localizer and the Glideslope are alive. During the approach, Michelle automatically and systematically begins reducing the airspeed and extending the flaps to their proper settings. Once the aircraft intersects with the Localizer, she says, "Switching to ILS Approach Mode." Moments later, she says, "Locked on the Localizer" and the aircraft assumes the runway heading. She continues reducing the airspeed and extending the flaps until the Glideslope is intersected at which time she reports, "We've captured the Glideslope." The aircraft begins its traverse down the Glideslope towards the runway, and at approximately 2,000 feet AGL Michelle lowers the landing gear. At approximately 1,800 feet AGL she sets the flaps to the most suitable landing position based upon the weight of the aircraft.

Michelle asks you to ensure that the Parking Brakes are off and the Auto-Spoilers are armed, and she calls out the aircraft's altitude on final descent: "Five hundred", "Four hundred", "Three hundred', "Minimums", etc. If the aircraft experiences windsheer, the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) starts screaming, "Windsheer, windsheer, windsheer." If you turn off the Auto-Pilot during the descent, and you drift above or below the Glideslope, the GPWS yells, "Glideslope, glideslope, glideslope." At approximately 150 feet AGL, if the Auto-Throttle is engaged, Michelle turns it off and pulls back on the thrust levers.

As the aircraft touches down, the Spoilers extend automatically and Michelle turns on the Reverse Thrust. Once the aircraft's speed drops below approximately 70 knots, she turns off the Reverse Thrust, turns on the Cabin Music and reports that the Approach and Landing checklists have been completed. To add yet more realism to your flight, if you listen carefully, you can hear the passengers applauding your perfect landing!

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Taxi to the Gate/Ramp
As the aircraft turns off the runway, your First Officer Michelle asks you if you would like her to run through the Taxi to the Gate or Ramp checklist. If you say, "Yes please", she (depending upon the type of aircraft), turns off the strobe lights, turns on the taxi lights, turns off the landing lights, informs you that the flaps and spoilers have been fully retracted and she resets the transponder to 1200. She asks you to confirm that the pitot heater is off, and that the elevator is trimmed to the takeoff position, then she suggests that you turn off the taxi lights as you approach the gate, so as not to blind the ground crew! She then reminds you that you can say "Resume Checklists" upon reaching the gate and she'll then run through the Parking Checklist.

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Execute Going Around
If at any time during the approach something doesn't feel just right, you can say to Michelle, "Execute Going Around." She responds with, "Captain. I will repeat the approach and landing checklist on the next approach." She then pulls up the flaps, goes to full throttle, pulls up the landing gear if necessary and climbs to 2,500 feet AGL at the proper airspeed. You contact ATC and report that you are going around.

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