Pilot’s Perspective: Saluting Cabin Crew Becoming a member of the cabin crew requires much more than a pretty face. Comprehensive training, a cool head and a big heart all figure into the makeup of the glamorous jet setting crew. Words: Captain Lim Khoy Hing In January 15, 2009, Captain Sully successfully touched down on the …
Pilot’s Perspective: The Dry Dilemma Captain Lim Khoy Hing explores the strange effects of dry cabin air. A guest once wrote to me for tips on overcoming the problems caused by dry air. He asked if the air in the cabin could be the reason his nose often bled while flying. Air inside an airplane …
Hi Captain Lim, Why a cockpit is called a cockpit in the airplane? Susan. Hi Susan, I have answered this question in my book, Life in the Skies. I reproduce it below for those who have not read my book yet: “Ever since I can remember, the area in front where the pilot sits to control …
Why a cockpit is referred to as a ‘cockpit’ in the airplane? Read More »
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 …
Does a jet plane constantly adjust its nose down to follow the curvature of the earth? Read More »
Hello Captain Lim I am writing from Singapore. I noticed sometimes the plane takes off in one direction and sometimes in the opposite direction at the Changi Airport. Why is that so?? SK Chee Hi Chee, For safety and performance reasons, airplanes should take off into wind. When wind direction changes, the ATC (air traffic …
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? …
Dear Capt Lim, I am hoping to join a flying school and want to know if my eyesight will prevent me from doing so. I have +0.25 in both eyes and I want to know if that will affect me in my flying. I would also like to know the maximum limit of eye power …
What are the eyesight requirements for airline pilots? Read More »
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 – …
Triumphs in the Skies – An Interview with Feminie.. Read More »
Hi Capt Lim, I want to know what happens if I get a panic attack on board an airplane? John. Hi John, Well, to answer your short and precise question, I would like to elaborate a little more for the benefit of others. The American Medical Association states that, amongst the common medical problems that …
What happens if I get a panic attack on an airplane? Read More »
Hi Captain Lim, I was just reading your latest post on someone asking, ” What if an engine catches fire in the air? ” I understand that the Boeing 777 is one of the safest airlines but I did not get to read much about Airbus A330 in your website. May I know what do you …
Hello Captain Lim, Welcome back! How would you compare the Airbus A320 against the Boeing 737 – from the economics and pilot*s point of view, say, the A320 against B737-800NG? From the passenger*s point of view, I like more the A320 – by a rather wide margin… Thank you! Best regards, Cosmin Ciortan Hi Cosmin, …
How would you compare the Airbus A320 against the Boeing 737 Read More »
Hello Captain Lim, This is Steven. I am curious to know if airplanes now fly through the Bermuda Triangle. I know, back in the days, lots of airplanes and ships were lost there. Do pilots still try to avoid that area? I have heard that there is a strong magnetic field or something there. Do …
Do airplanes now fly through the Bermuda Triangle? Read More »
Hi Captain Lim, The information on your website has increased and enhanced my knowledge on aviation significantly. I got a question I hope you could help solve my doubts. What are the factors that lead a plane to crash and not glide? I am a bit confused on ‘why plane crash’ accidents occur because I …
Photo: 123RF Airbus A380 flying an Instrument Landing System We thought that it was bad when the SARS outbreak hit 29 countries in 2002, infecting 8000 with 800 deaths. That was until Covid-19 came along. This new pandemic has shocked so many people. Up to date , the disease has spread to 212 countries …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …