A-340 Flugzeugführer

A-340 Flugzeugführer

On a trip to Europe in 1994, I booked on Lufthansa, to be able to fly on the then-new (and, at least then, very large)
four-engine Airbus, the A-340, which had recently been introduced on LH flights from Washington-Dulles to Frankfurt.

On the return flight from Frankfurt, I caught sight of the Captain visiting with passengers in the cabin. Capt. Körte
presented the perfect picture of the proud, professional Germanic aviator, and I noted he'd make a good photo subject.

It was one of those photo-perfect days for high altitude flight, with a deep blue sky rising above some cumulus puffs far below.

Again, it was 1994, and one would never consider doing this now, but I explained to the Purser my interest in airplanes and
aviation photography and that I was new to the A-340, and asked if it might be possible to briefly visit the flight deck for some photos.

She took my request, and, a few minutes later, I and my cameras were invited up to the flight deck.

As she opened the cockpit door, Captain Körte turned around in the left seat, cordially greeted me, offered me
some chocolates, and welcomed me to the flight deck, also introducing me to his First Officer, Hartmut Eggers.

Capt. Körte was enthusiastic about the attributes of his new A-340 and, for the next while,
he and F/O Eggers explained many of the aspects that made this large aircraft so pleasant to fly.

As we began to descend into U.S. air space, the captain told me it would be necessary to return to the cabin,
but the time spent with these two highly professional airmen – and the photos taken on Captain Körte’s A-340
flight deck – will always be a memorable flight, and photographic, experience. Indeed, ten years later, I included it,
along with the photo, in an article I wrote for “Airliners” Magazine, entitled “Confessions of an Airplane Lover.”

May I now share the photo, once again, with my friends in Foto-Community.

From a Fujichrome transparency.

Photo, Design, and Narrative ©1994/2011 Steve Ember