what the title says. Do you have any burning questions about how planes and airlines work? I know the answers, ask away
Some facts to start
1. Airplanes are pressurized with air from the outside of the plane. The atmosphere up there is still breathable, just at a lower pressure than human lungs can use. Air is sucked into the plane by the engines, cooled down, and pumped into the plane to create the higher pressure so you can breath.
2. There has never been a crash caused by turbulence. Planes are built to handle immense forces beyond anything normal turbulence can do. You can find youtube videos of plane wings being tested where metal cables attached to the wings bend them up and down at extreme angles. Turbulence can still cause injuries, though, and can happen without warning, which is why you always need to wear your seatbelt even when it seems smooth.
3. When the captain says they'll "try to make up time in the air" on a delayed flight, you might wonder how they're able to do that. Do they just fly faster? Why don't they always just fly that fast if they're able to do it? Yes, pilots can fly faster than their normal cruising speed if necessary. This isn't very fuel efficient though, not good for the environment or for the airline's finances. Planes have an optimal cruising speed to stick to for maximum fuel efficiency, and usually they want to stay there. But if the flight is running very late and is going to mess up the airline's schedule, they can choose to sacrifice efficiency for speed. They can also request to bypass low altitude speed limits, a more direct route to their destination, and other route changes to get around bumpy weather and busy airspaces. There are many little time saving things pilots are able to do when needed
4. Lavatory doors can be quickly unlocked from the outside by a hidden switch. Don't get up to any mischief in there.
5. Even with smoking on planes banned on all commercial flights, an ashtray in the bathroom is still considered essential equipment and legally a plane can't fly if one is broken or missing. If someone does try to smoke, they need a place to dispose of it that isn't the trash can or dropping it under the seat. That makes fire (Bad)
6. Flight attendants like it when you give them chocolate or Starbucks gift cards. Just don't expect an automatic upgrade in return, it's just a nice thing to do.
I don't work in aviation, I'm just a nerd. if you work in aviation that's sick feel free to chime in
Some facts to start
1. Airplanes are pressurized with air from the outside of the plane. The atmosphere up there is still breathable, just at a lower pressure than human lungs can use. Air is sucked into the plane by the engines, cooled down, and pumped into the plane to create the higher pressure so you can breath.
2. There has never been a crash caused by turbulence. Planes are built to handle immense forces beyond anything normal turbulence can do. You can find youtube videos of plane wings being tested where metal cables attached to the wings bend them up and down at extreme angles. Turbulence can still cause injuries, though, and can happen without warning, which is why you always need to wear your seatbelt even when it seems smooth.
3. When the captain says they'll "try to make up time in the air" on a delayed flight, you might wonder how they're able to do that. Do they just fly faster? Why don't they always just fly that fast if they're able to do it? Yes, pilots can fly faster than their normal cruising speed if necessary. This isn't very fuel efficient though, not good for the environment or for the airline's finances. Planes have an optimal cruising speed to stick to for maximum fuel efficiency, and usually they want to stay there. But if the flight is running very late and is going to mess up the airline's schedule, they can choose to sacrifice efficiency for speed. They can also request to bypass low altitude speed limits, a more direct route to their destination, and other route changes to get around bumpy weather and busy airspaces. There are many little time saving things pilots are able to do when needed
4. Lavatory doors can be quickly unlocked from the outside by a hidden switch. Don't get up to any mischief in there.
5. Even with smoking on planes banned on all commercial flights, an ashtray in the bathroom is still considered essential equipment and legally a plane can't fly if one is broken or missing. If someone does try to smoke, they need a place to dispose of it that isn't the trash can or dropping it under the seat. That makes fire (Bad)
6. Flight attendants like it when you give them chocolate or Starbucks gift cards. Just don't expect an automatic upgrade in return, it's just a nice thing to do.
I don't work in aviation, I'm just a nerd. if you work in aviation that's sick feel free to chime in
Valentine :3
