those little windows

[guttergem]

why do window shutters in aeroplanes have to be open when coming in to land? Is it so the steward/esses can see how low they are? (but the pilot tells them to prepare for landing anyhow)...

[rojash]

I didn't know they did. I've never been on a flight where we were told to open them before landing

[stoo_pid]

Don't know the answer I'm afraid but just wanted to confirm that guttergem is not going mad. Every single flight I have ever been on we have been told to open the window shutters. I've always wondered why (but never thought to actually ask someone on the plane).

[chasbo]

Another strange one - Why do the Cabin lights have to be dimmed before landing, but you can still use the reading lamps? I've asked before on both questions, and all I get is "Its the regulations"

[Ralph]

The reason that the cabin lights are dimmed before taking off and landing in the dark is to get your eyes used to the dark in case the plane crashes and you've got to run away from it. It might be quite dangerous, if not embarrassing, to run into a tree or engine in your bid to escape!

I imagine that the window shutters being open is for the same reason, if you have situational awareness in an emergency and you paid attention during the safety briefing and you noted the position of your nearest emergency exit (keeping in mind that it may be behind you!!) and your eyes are ready for the dark outside, then you've got the best chance of escape.

People are probably told that they can use their reading lights because if they were told they couldn't, they'd whinge and moan about nanny states and the price of tickets.

[Clanad]

It's a safety feature. Although there are no "regulations" here in the U.S. mandating the action, most airlines require it in order for the cabin crew to more efficiently assess any damage, fire, obstructions, etc., on the outside of the aircraft in the event of an accident. The purpose for this assessment need is to limit, if neccessary, to which side of the aircraft's emergency exits to direct passengers. Fire or other debris would be a serious problem in the event of an emergency evacuation. Same principal at work for the dimming of cabin lights. The glare and reflection at night on the cabin windows inhibit the above referenced assessment, whereas the reading lights shine directly downwards and don't cause the same effect...

[Begram]

well, not quite. It's to do with visual adjustment to light. Overall ambient light (all lights on, for example) will cause the visual system to adjust, so that if you have to walk straight out of the plane at nighttime, you will not be able to adjust quickly to the low light and will have difficulty orienting.

Reading lights, because they allow you to read from a book, for example, but leave the environment more or less dark, allow the main cue to the visual system to be 'darkness' and as such you will need very little adjustment to the low light conditions outside the plane.

It is not related to light bouncing off the insides of the windows.

It also shows why reading without relative ambient lighting is bad for your eyes.

[gary baldy]

I thought it was so you could wave to your waiting relatives as you pull up to the terminal building.
And they dim the lights so you can have a quick snuggle with your partner before you get off.
There you go - problem solved!

[guttergem]

clever people! thank you very much. I feel much better now.

[markja]

if the pilot can open his window to wave at press events then why can't we?