Comments on: Q&A With the Pilot, Volume 2

By: Kathrine Grant

Kathrine Grant — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 06:28:55 +0000

I recently landed at Canberra during a heavy storm. As we landed something happened so quickly that I had no time to wonder what it was. It felt as if the plane leaned heavily towards the side of the runway (taking me with it), and back very quickly. I fly quite frequently and this has never happened before. I’d be very pleased if you had an explanation for me. Thank you.

By: Art Knight

Art Knight — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 20:24:51 +0000

This is probably not the correct place to pose this question, but here I go anyway. I was watching “City In The Sky” and it featured Atlanta’s Jackson-Hartsfield airport. Both Atlanta and Frankfurt utilize an “end-around” taxi-way. It runs behind the end of the runways. The aircraft lands and can immediately roll to the terminal which makes for a much more efficient and safer airport. They don’t have to wait like school-children waiting for the crossing guard to cross the runway. It seems like such a simple idea. Why doesn’t every airport do this?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 19 May 2017 16:36:19 +0000

In reply to Camilo Robayo. I’m not sure what you mean by “engine light,” but likely they were looking for any ice accumulation, and/or to check to see if there was precipitation. If it’s raining or snowing, a quick flash of the lights (usually it’s one of the landing lights) will show it pretty clearly — the reflections from the millions of droplets.

By: Camilo Robayo

Camilo Robayo — Mon, 01 May 2017 02:04:01 +0000

Hi! Very intresting website, congrats!
My question is:

I was flying from San Andres island to Bogota, colombia at night. I was in a front row, it raind most of the way; ¿why did the pilot constantly turn on and off the engine lights? Thank you!

By: Art Knight

Art Knight — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 10:35:03 +0000

In reply to Maria. It could have been worse. They might have used non-stick blue painter's tape. At least you were not wearing leggings, as that would have brought it all to a halt!

By: Art Knight

Art Knight — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 10:14:32 +0000

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/11/14/article-2507283-19690A4200000578-922_634x803.jpg

By: Art Knight

Art Knight — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 10:07:58 +0000

Some say the etymology of “posh” is an acronym. The privileged class preferred their cabin windows to always face the sun in the south. When traveling from England to America and back again, they wanted to be “Port Out, Starboard Home.” P.O.S.H.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/31/f7/d6/31f7d68216e96028744d7a51074

By: PRIYAM

PRIYAM — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 16:16:27 +0000

Hi Patrick, you are fabulous, Now i m 98% free of my fear of flying, I hv kept 2% for that small bottle of white i really enjoy consuming at airport lobby. Thanks again. If i ever get an oppertunity i will definitely treat you with a nice spicy hot beef curry and Sula White Wine.Keep flying.

By: Clark

Clark — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 13:14:03 +0000

Patrick,

I’ve been at altitude a few times, in clouds, when the pilot has turned on the landing lights (or some kind of spotlight aimed forward) for a period of time; you can see it from the cabin. What are they up to – checking out the clouds ahead for thunderstorms? It seems to have happened when there is some turbulence.

Secondly, you refer to the landing-gear-drag method as a way of burning off fuel as “wasteful,” but if you are over the landing weight, you’re going to have to burn it off or dump it anyway, right? I don’t see the difference when it comes to fuel management; you either have to get rid of it or you don’t.

Thanks for all the great answers, by the way – these Q&A articles are excellent (as are your essays, even if you fawn over Husker Du a bit too much!) 🙂

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 14:49:37 +0000

I recently flew NYC-ATL with Delta. I was surprised that the top part of the overhead bins was put together to the aircraft using duct tape. Yes, duct tape. It was a horrible, bumpy flight (more than usually in this route) and I was afraid -don’t laugh- of the airplane coming apart. I like flying “big” airlines because I know they do more mechanical check ups so I reminded myself that “they” wouldn’t let the plane fly if it was dangerous. But duct tape? Come on!