Does a jet plane constantly adjust its nose down to follow the curvature of the earth?

FAQs, Flying / By

Dear Capt Lim; I have limited flying experience (two introductory flight lessons in a Cessna and several commercial flights, including some Transatlantic trips), so please excuse my ignorance. I was wondering; since the earth is spherical and the curvature is approximately 6 foot “drop” for every three miles i.e. a 6 foot person will disappear …

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Bumps in the Air

Air Travel, Weather / By

Some air travellers describe their encounter with air pockets as dropping thousands of feet. I have often explained that the experience is similar to travelling on land where a smooth road suddenly gives way to bumps and potholes, making the journey a little uncomfortable. Plane above the clouds Image: GETTY WHAT IS AN AIR POCKET? …

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Triumphs in the Skies – An Interview with Feminie..

Aspiring Pilots, Life Stories / By

Triumph in the Skies – An interview translated from Feminine (Chinese Magazine – January 2014 issue) Feature on: Captain Lim Khoy Hing Age: 65 years Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Experience: 45 years of flying Working Experience: a. Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) (1967 – 1980) b. Malaysia Airlines System (1981-2006), c. Air Asia X (2006 – …

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Into the Cosmos

Air Travel / By

The dream of space tourism is becoming a reality. Here, I will take you behind the scenes of commercial space travel. Source: Travel 3Sixty   Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, a spaceflight company under the Virgin Group owned by the fervent British entrepreneur, is gearing up to provide commercial space flights to space tourists. Branson’s …

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Safety First Always

Air Travel, Safety / By

What does IOSA certification really mean? Please read on to understand the stringent safety measures that govern the aviation industry. An Airbus A330 Flight Simulator Last September, AirAsia X Malaysia was officially recognised as an IOSA – International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit – registered operator. More stringent than the ISO 9001, which …

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The Best Seat

Air Travel / By

Captain Lim Khoy Hing shares insights on choosing seats and handling turbulence on board – for a relaxing journey through the skies. Source Travel 3Sixty AirAsia Premium Flatbed seat Which is the best seat on the plane? Some say it’s the aisle seat, while others prefer to sit by the window so they can enjoy …

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Bird Tricks

Air Travel / By

Did you know that birds can remain in the air longer than a commercial airliner?Here are the remarkable facts about the creature that inspired the Wright brothers.  Image source: Travel 3Sixty  The golden plover According to American researcher Dr Jobe Martin, the golden plover bird – about the size of a pigeon and weighing an …

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Speed and Safety

Flying / By

How fast is a commercial airliner? Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains this and other issues related to airspeed. Image source: Travel 3Sixty First successful flight by the Wright Brothers took 12 seconds.   Just little over a century ago, the first successful flight was launched by the Wright brothers, and it took all of 12 …

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When Earth Shakes

Air Travel / By

Source Travel 3Sixty Cracks on the ground caused by earthquakes   Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Lombok, an island to the east of Bali, Indonesia, in July and August, I was asked an important question: What would happen if an earthquake were to hit the runway as an airplane is approaching for landing? Circumstances …

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Mysteries of the Skies

Air Travel / By

From puffy white streaks that appear in the blue to shooting stars, the article below unravels the mysteries of the skies Source: Travel 3Sixty The contrails of a cruising aircraft When I was a young boy, I often wondered about the white smokey streaks across the sky that could be seen on a clear day. …

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The Perfect Landing

Flying / By

Is a gentle landing always desirable? Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains how pilots handle this important phase of flight. Source Travel 3Sixty Upon landing, the pilot slows down the plane by applying reverse thrust   My first attempt to land a plane happened years ago and involved a Chipmunk – a tailwheel plane, also known …

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Keeping Engines Running

Flying / By

Even planes need some Tender Loving Care. Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains the strict care required to keep aircraft airworthy. Image Source: Travel 3Sixty Engineers working on a jet engine during routine aircraft maintenance.   I remember a British TV station once broadcasting footage showing how AirAsia X’s Airbus A340 executed an efficient turnaround and …

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