The captain is speaking — and taking questions,
Each week, former airline pilot and aviation safety consultant John Cox answers questions from USA TODAY readers about flying. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers.
QI’m going on my first flight soon and I’m petrified. Do you have any tips?
AI understand your trepidation and apprehension. It is not uncommon for first-time fliers. A few things to remember:
1. Aviation is the safest form of public transportation in history. You are safer flying than when you are in your automobile, walking on a sidewalk, riding a train, taking a bus or being on a boat/ship.
2. The professionals that maintain and fly the airplane are some of the most highly trained in the world. Additionally, trained evaluators check their skills and competencies regularly.
3. The maintenance of aircraft is very detailed and frequent. Airplanes have more redundancies than other forms of transportation, which results in increased reliability and safety.
4. Airplanes fly because of physics, just as boats can float on water. Some people look at an airplane and ask, ‘How does something that heavy fly?’ It can because of the laws of physics and the proper shape of the wing. There is no mystery to it.
5. Aviation is one of the most regulated industries in the world. The close oversight of government regulatory and safety organizations has proven to be effective.
Those are a few of the many reasons to relax and enjoy your upcoming flight. You will experience a totally new vantage point from which to see the world.
Q Does having only two engines increase risk when flying over oceans?
A No, the reliability of modern jet engines is so good that flying over oceans or remote locations is not risky. One consideration is that more engines increase the possibility of one of them having a problem. The regulatory authorities have very strict standards for twin-engine overwater operations.
I fly over oceans in twin engine airplanes many times each year with no concern about the risk of engine failure.
Q If a twin-engine plane has one engine that fails midway over the Atlantic, what options do the pilots have?
A Engine failures are very, very rare, but should one occur, the airplane can safely fly to an alternate airport, the airport of origin or the airport of destination. On overwater flights, the en route diversion airports are planned before departure. If there is a need to divert — for an engine problem or any other issue — the pilots have the plan in place.
Q My friend, an airline captain, tells me that the bigger the plane, the more backup systems on the aircraft. So are A380s, 747s and 777s safer to fly?
A The A380, 747, 777 are certainly safe. So are other airliners like the Airbus A320 family, the Boeing 737 family, 757,
767, A330/340, A350, 787, Embraer 135/145, EMB 170/190 and Bombardier CRJs to list a few. Airliners are safe.
The larger airplanes have a larger number of redundant systems due to their size but that, by itself, does not mean one airplane is safer than another.
Q Is there ever turbulence that concerns the pilot?
A Pilots do not like turbulence, but because the designers of modern airplanes have such a safety factor built in, there is no concern about damaging the airplane. The concern pilots do have is that passengers will not have their seat belts fastened and will be injured, or that a flight attendant will not be secured in the jumpseat.
Q Why do fliers ignore the fasten seat belt sign?
A The captain illuminates the sign when there is a possibility of turbulence. Turbulence is unpredictable, and often will not occur. This causes people to believe that there is no risk. This is a false belief.
If the seat belt sign is illuminated, passengers should remain in their seat. If physiological reasons make a visit to the lavatory imperative, the passenger must assume the risk.
Q When lightning strikes an airplane, are you safer in the air or on the ground?
A In the air, airplanes are designed to dissipate the lightning quickly. I have been flying airplanes that were struck multiple times and there was little or no damage sustained. All the surfaces are bonded, giving the lightning a pathway to pass back into the atmosphere.
On the ground there is a risk to people on the ramp if the airplane discharges the lightning. For the passengers there is very little or no risk in either situation.
Q I’ve noticed that when inbound to an airport, the pilot begins decelerating the aircraft sometimes a half-hour prior to touchdown. Why don’t they go faster longer?
A Usually the speed reduction is due to air traffic control instructions. As the traffic near an airport backs up, the speed is reduced. New navigation procedures show the promise of maximizing maintaining cruise speed and altitude as long as possible.
Q Have you ever gotten lost while taxiing at an airport?
A Taxiing, particularly at a large airport in limited visibility at night, can be very challenging. Many of the modern airliners have electronic maps with the position of the airplane displayed, which helps. Those that do not have electronic displays require the crew to have taxi charts.
I have never been lost, but have taxied slowly and been very careful to follow the taxi clearance, using input from the first officer.
Q Are there any mandatory announcements that a captain has to make?
A Only if there is an emergency condition and the captain must tell the flight attendants and passengers to “Brace!” All other announcements are up to the captain.
Q Do you have a favorite airport to land and take off ?
A There are special things about several airports: Landing on runway 13 in LaGuardia from the south provides a spectacular view of Manhattan as you fly up the Hudson River. Flying into Key West with the beautiful clear water and picturesque boats in the harbor is always enjoyable. One of my most vivid memories was departing from Boston Logan over the shipping channel as the tall ships were sailing.
For me, the most beautiful airport is San Francisco: The mountain and the bay combine to make a spectacular sight.
Relax and enjoy your upcoming (first) flight. You will experience a totally new vantage point from which to see the world. ... Most people never forget their first flight.