Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Almost half the men surveyed think they could land a passenger plane. Experts disagree
cnn ^

Posted on 12/07/2023 3:57:00 PM PST by algore

Picture this: you’re nestled comfortably in your seat cruising towards your travel destination when a flight attendant’s voice breaks through the silence:

“Ladies and gentlemen, both pilots are incapacitated. Are there any passengers who could land this plane with assistance from air traffic control?”

If you think you could manage it, you’re not alone. Survey results published in January indicate about one-third of adult Americans think they could safely land a passenger aircraft with air traffic control’s guidance. Among male respondents, the confidence level rose to nearly 50%.

Can a person with no prior training simply guide everyone to a smooth touchdown?

We’ve all heard stories of passengers who saved the day when the pilot became unresponsive.

For instance, last year Darren Harrison managed to land a twin-engine aircraft in Florida – after the pilot passed out – with the guidance of an air traffic controller who also happened to be a flight instructor.

However, such incidents tend to take place in small, simple aircraft. Flying a much bigger and heavier commercial jet is a completely different game.

Once the aircraft comes close to the runway, they must accurately judge its height, reduce power and adjust the rate of descent – ensuring they land on the correct area of the runway.

On the ground, they will use the brakes and reverse thrust to bring the aircraft to a complete stop before the runway ends. This all happens within just a few minutes.

Both takeoff and landing are far too quick, technical and concentration-intensive for an untrained person to pull off. They also require a range of skills that are only gained through extensive training, such as understanding the information presented on different gauges, and being able to coordinate one’s hands and feet in a certain way.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS: grande; macho; striker
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-133 next last
To: Paladin2

(heh)...I did read a lot of Popular Science(?).


61 posted on 12/07/2023 5:04:20 PM PST by RckyRaCoCo (Please Pray For My Brother Ken.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: SaveFerris

Long story, but this was *not* a serious training session. More of a “you get to see the cool simulator and play with it a little” after hours, but sanctioned, thing.


62 posted on 12/07/2023 5:04:52 PM PST by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: algore

Were the men they surveyed actual men, or women who think they’re men?


63 posted on 12/07/2023 5:08:28 PM PST by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

I did it. Am a “simpilot-MSFS” but back in the FSX day I was demonstrating it to a Delta Pilot. He took me out to the DeKalb Co airport (DuPage) and we took off in a 172. At 1200 feet and 5 miles from the airport he asked me to land it, and I did, in a cross-wind. Yeah, I hopped it, but I landed.


64 posted on 12/07/2023 5:10:10 PM PST by ThePatriotsFlag (Accepting a false premise initiates conversational defeat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FreedomPoster

I would love to try it


65 posted on 12/07/2023 5:12:38 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: algore

Having landed many time in a simulator, multiple time in an actual aircraft, plus my FPV landings with my rc airplanes, yes. No problem.


66 posted on 12/07/2023 5:13:20 PM PST by j_guru
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: algore

I could land one. I am not saying it would be necessarily a smooth landing.


67 posted on 12/07/2023 5:13:23 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

Yeah, little too ambiguous. Adding “safely” would bump it up a bit.


68 posted on 12/07/2023 5:17:53 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: WinMod70

Yoke. You’d get behind the yoke. Or stick.


69 posted on 12/07/2023 5:21:00 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: piytar

Large aircraft are completely different, in a former life I flew B-747’s, doing auto land requires that the arrival be loaded properly, autopilot engaged and lots of other things to be properly done for it to work. Very challenging if you have never done it before.


70 posted on 12/07/2023 5:23:55 PM PST by phormer phrog phlyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Celtic Conservative

Remember a “the good landing you walk away from. A great landing you walk away from AND the can reuse the airplane.


71 posted on 12/07/2023 5:25:09 PM PST by gas_dr (Conditions of Socratic debate: Intelligence, Candor, and Good Will)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: Blueflag

If you push all the correct buttons, the airplane will land itself and come to a complete stop on the runway. I think you could probably talk most people through the process if the airplance had enough gas.

I, however, could most definitely land it.


72 posted on 12/07/2023 5:30:24 PM PST by ALPAPilot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: algore

I know I can, but I have a couple airplanes and fly a lot in an effort to produce as much carbon emissions as I can while trying to prevent the next Ice Age, which is guaranteed. My 4 2 stroke motorcycles help a lot too


73 posted on 12/07/2023 5:31:38 PM PST by eyeamok
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Billthedrill

Any landing you can walk away from is a good one.


74 posted on 12/07/2023 5:31:56 PM PST by gunnut
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Magnum44

Over Nacho Grande?


75 posted on 12/07/2023 5:33:14 PM PST by yuleeyahoo (“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!” - the deepstate)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: algore

ZERO HOUR


76 posted on 12/07/2023 5:37:06 PM PST by al baby (I know its the way the measure the cooling capability )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: gas_dr

What an a hole


77 posted on 12/07/2023 5:37:57 PM PST by al baby (I know its the way the measure the cooling capability )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: algore

Surely it is not that difficult.


78 posted on 12/07/2023 5:38:26 PM PST by gridlock (At some point, King Rupert must take responsibility for his own predicaments. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Magnum44

79 posted on 12/07/2023 5:40:39 PM PST by al baby (I know its the way the measure the cooling capability )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SaveFerris

It’s a different kind of flying!!


80 posted on 12/07/2023 5:41:18 PM PST by null and void (If you support monsters you will die in the cross fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-133 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson