AI-generated illustration, not an actual photo Why Assertive Support Process Training Matters Crew Resource Management (CRM) has long been recognized as a cornerstone of safe flight operations. A key element of CRM is the Assertive Support Process (ASP), which empowers first officers to speak up and take decisive action when they perceive danger. Recent reports …
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FLYING For most people, flying is more than just a way to get from one place to another. It’s a mix of excitement, curiosity and sometimes a touch of nervousness. Some passengers can’t wait to board, already planning what movie to watch or what meal to choose. Others, however, grip the armrest …
The Human Edge: Can Automation replace Human Pilots? From self-driving cars to Al-powered chatbots, automation is everywhere. The aviation industry is no different. We’ve come a long way from the days of open cockpits and paper maps. Today’s modern airliners are marvels of automation, equipped with advanced flight management systems, autopilots and auto-thrust controls that …
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4 Sukhoi Su-30 MKM in Formation Flying (AI Generated) The Merdeka Flypast – A Skybound Memory Yesterday morning, the thunderous roar of six Sukhoi Su-30MKM jets slicing through the skies in celebration of Malaysia’s Independence Day – 31st August 2025 – stirred something deep within me, rekindling memories of my own airborne journey. It reminded …
Pilots Ejecting from a Hornet – an illustration The Marvel of the Ejection Seat The crash of a Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Hornet during take-off on 21st August 2025 once again reminded us of a remarkable piece of engineering that has saved thousands of pilots worldwide – the ejection seat. In this case, the …
Pilotless Commercial Passenger Aircraft: Is It a Bad Idea? On March 30, 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) made history by issuing its first commercial operation certificate for autonomous drones. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in aviation – passenger-carrying civil unmanned aircraft entering commercial service in China’s low-altitude airspace. This …
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An Airbus A350 in a strong crosswind with nose pointing away How do pilots handle their planes in strong crosswinds? Landing in strong crosswinds is among the most challenging tasks for pilots, requiring precise techniques to ensure the aircraft touches down safely. Recently, the pilot of a Malaysia Airlines A350 earned praise on social media …
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Conquering a fear of flying in the digital age Nervous fliers are turning to flight simulators and social media to overcome their anxieties. (Courtesy of Louisa Lim) Mr Hamdan Mohamed Khamis (left), a senior first officer with the Seoul-headquartered Asiana Airlines, is one of the coaches of Flight Experience Singapore’s Fear of Flying programme. …
Two-pilot crew in the Boeing 787 cockpit Image: 123RF Why do airlines have multiple pilots on a flight? The first airline, an ancestor of British Airways formed in 1916, used former military planes and had only one pilot and could carry two passengers. The FAA today requires two pilots for aircraft that exceed 12,500 pounds. …
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A Delta Airlines Boeing 777-200ER at Tokyo Narita Airport. Photo Credit: Konstantin Von Wedelstaedt (http://tinyurl.com/4e5fbkxp) Flight Emergency: What are the pilot’s actions when an engine fails in flight? An engine failure on a twin-engine plane is very rare, yet it remains one of the most extensively trained and tested exercises in a pilot’s career. Engine …
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Ocean belly landing: Will an airliner survive the plunge? This question, although answered before, still arouses some interest on whether an airliner can survive a belly landing on the ocean. First, let’s us clarify this concept: a belly landing occurs when an aircraft lands without extending its landing gear, relying on its underside for the …
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A Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-312(ER) Photo credit: byeangel (https://tinyurl.com/wusm83hv) How many airliners would have run out of fuel if it weren’t for the “final reserve fuel” as required by law? The fuel planning policies by airlines are there for ensuring the safety of each flight. It would include the fuel required for a specific journey, …
GOL Boeing 737-800 Photo credit: Paul Hunter Alvarenga (http://tinyurl.com/adz8xujh) What caused the business jet to collide with the Boeing 737 in 2006? In 2006, a tragic collision occurred between a business jet and a Boeing 737. This event defied the typical conventions of air travel, where aircraft rarely collide head-on during cruise due to established …
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A British Airways Concorde in 1985 Photo Credit: Eduard Marmet (https://tinyurl.com/t626sac7) Is it safe for planes to take off with blown tires? This really depends on the type of aircraft, the speed when the blowout occurs and the consequential damages. While such incidents are rare, cases of planes successfully taking off and landing after blown …
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An Aeroflot Airbus A310 Photo Credit: Yevgeny Pashnin Do pilots ever allow friends or family members to sit in the cockpit during take-off or landing? This practice was permitted in the past, prior to the tragic events of the September 11 attacks in New York in 2001. It was possible for passengers, friends and family …
An Australian GAF Nomad Photo credit: Bidgee Why is it crucial for pilots to know the weight and balance of a loaded plane before take-off? Ensuring that an aircraft stays within its weight and balance limits is of utmost importance for pilots before commencing a flight. If there is too much weight towards the back …
An US Airways Airbus A320 Photo: 123RF What happens if a plane runs out of fuel during take-off or cruising at high altitude? It is highly unlikely for a plane to “run out” of fuel during take-off. This response is focused on commercial airplanes where their operations are tightly regulated. Before take-off, airliners carry a …
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Bombardier Q400 operated by Colgan Air Photo Credit: Hawaiian717. How often do airline pilots fly the plane manually, rather than relying on autopilot and computers? This question seems to express concerns that some airline pilots are relying too much on automation such that a few have forgotten how to fly. Indeed, this has resulted in …
My last London flight, completing 25,500 hours without experiencing an engine failure If an engine fails on take-off, will the pilot abort the take-off or continue? When an engine fails on take-off, a pilot’s decision to go or not, would depend on the speed it has attained. From day one, a pilot is reminded that, …
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Plane came within seconds of disaster when a pilot mistake sent it plunging towards the ocean. Photo: 123RF On 10 January 2023, a Qatar Airways Boeing 787 flight from Doha to Copenhagen nosedived and narrowly avoided striking the Arabian Gulf shortly after take-off from the Hamad International Airport. According to Flightradar24, a Swedish internet-based service …