Quizzes & Puzzles44 mins ago
Airliner Landing
16 Answers
How does a full airliner flying at it's normal cruising speed land where it wants to?I know the pilot shuts down the engines.Is this a set distance from the airport,or does it have to be worked out.Once this has happened does the plane just gradually glide down,because it seems to come down in a series of "steps" if this is the right word.Also would a request to go into the cockpit be turned,as things stand.
Thanks,Mick
Thanks,Mick
Answers
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.eek, they don't just shut down the engines! That'd be a very quick landing! Essentially they get the plan flying as slowly as possible without dropping out of the sky, by using min power and max flaps, then manage the descent onto the runway. A 747 for example cruises at 500mph but when it touches down it's still doing 120ish, then it's engines in reverse to act as a brake it slows down. Modern planes have an auto pilot that does the donkey work but you still need the main man up there.
Yeah ... definitely engines on ... otherwise they could'nt do this....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE
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free flight simulator - be prepared as I may be a passenger ;)
http://flyawaysimulation.com/article853.html
http://flyawaysimulation.com/article853.html
a light hearted and funny but good reference to flying is here http://www.amazon.co....-Gunson/dp/B001GQ7E6A
It's true, accurate and funny at the same time. Media URL: http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Gunson/dp/B001GQ7E6A
Description:
It's true, accurate and funny at the same time. Media URL: http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Gunson/dp/B001GQ7E6A
Description:
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Dear Mick, I fly these things, so hope I can help: It is less important where the descent is started than where it is finished! However an efficient descent [engines at idle or slightly above] starts around 3 times the height [1000's of ft] in nautical miles. Eg, Flight Level 330 = 33,000ft x 3 = 99nm or about 114 statute miles. Modern aircraft have a Flight Management Computer to crunch these numbers and take into account winds, temperature, weight, expected icing, atc etc. But the pilot still makes an educated guess to ensure he [or his first officer!] hasn't programmed something silly and to keep an eye on the pesky computers. The "steps" on descent are usually caused by atc: either terrain/airspace or most often traffic restrictions. To slow for landing the pilot configures the wing [flaps] in stages and lowers the wheels - you can feel/hear these events on arrival. A B747-400 normally approaches at around 160mph +/- depending on weight. ON takeoff, at max weight out of a high airport [eg Johannesburg] the aircraft may be lifedt off at the tyre speed limit = 225mph....