Source: Starboard76 John Travolta flying his own Boeing 707 What is the largest plane you can fly with a private pilot license? A private pilot license (PPL) is basically the most basic of the 3 flying licenses and it restricts a pilot from operating any plane over 12,500 lbs. However, actor John Travolta was able …
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Image: Wikipedia A GOL Boeing 737-800 similar to the aircraft involved in the Brazilian mid-air collision What are the possibilities of 2 airplanes colliding and landing safely? Topher Barott from Quora asks the above question. Mid-air collisions on commercial airliners are extremely rare. I believe Topher Barott is referring to commercial planes instead of collision …
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Image: Wikipedia Earth rotating from West to East Does Earth’s rotation affect a plane in flight? The Earth is around 4.54 billion years old. It was formed when a cloud of gas collapsed due to gravity. As the cloud collapsed, it started to spin and continued to do so because there are no forces acting …
Can this wasp cause a plane to crash? Can an insect cause a plane to crash? When Israel Saka from Quora asked me whether an inset can cause a plane to crash, it reminds me of Birgenair Flight 301. Yes, insects could indeed cause havoc if actions and precautions were not taken early enough. On …
Image: India Meteorological Department Turbulence around Bay of Bengal Should I be worried about flying in bad weather? To some air travelers, bumpiness in the skies or turbulence is a major concern to them. A journalist friend recently asked me about these on her forthcoming journey. I had demonstrated a simulated turbulent flight aboard a …
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Photo: 123RF Approaching to land on an Instrument Landing System How do pilots land when they can’t see the runway? Bhavin from Quora asks the above question. The simple answer is that you do not land because it is too dangerous to guess where the runway is! As such, you will abort the landing …
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A female co-pilot in the cockpit Can a co-pilot land an airplane? Blake Winfield from Quora asks the above question. This was responded by me before but it’s worth sharing again. Although the captain is responsible for everything that happens onboard the plane, it is a common misconception that the co-pilot is only an assistant …
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER How to carry out an Emergency Descent? Praveen from Quora asks if a quick descent is needed, how pilots do it? On a single-engine plane flying below 10,000 feet, the pilot retards the throttle and pushes his flight control forward. That’s how it is done. Unlike a car that can turn …
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Photo: 123RF Is flying a plane different than driving? Is flying a plane different from driving a car? Blake Winfield from Quora asks this question. I will answer this by elaborating more about flying than by car. When I started learning how to fly in UK, I found that it wasn’t as easy as I …
Photo: Airbus An Airbus A350-1000 conducting the autonomous (‘pilotless’) fight test Will pilotless planes be a reality in the future? Well, there will be planes flying around without pilots in the future but the question is, whether the airlines could put fare-paying passengers in the back of the aircraft. In one survey, it was found …
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Use of Automation (Auto Landing) on an Instrument Landing System Most pilots make use of automation if they feel they are incapable of landing the planes manually in bad weather. Charles Raisor from Quora posed this very common and interesting question. Horrible Weather Conditions So, what were my horrible weather conditions? Well, amongst others, poor …
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Photo: Adam Lee Life Raft Training – Flight crew safely on board What happens if a plane loses all its power? Even though I have hung up my pilot’s uniform, it’s refreshing to reminisce over Vipul Lal’s question during this Covid-19 lockdown. Via Quora, he further added, “I know that a commercial liner can …
What does it really take to fly a plane? Is it a gift only bestowed upon a chosen few or is it a skill that can be achieved by anyone? Image Travel 3Sixty Since time immemorial, humans have been intrigued with flying, and nothing idealises this better than the famous Greek myth about Icarus, who …
Flying to high altitude airports offers an opportunity to take in stunning sights but the experience also requires some special training for flight crew operating to these lofty airports. Image Travel 3Sixty AirAsia X is currently training aircrew for charter flights (commencing in December) to Xining Airport, an airfield in China situated at 7,165ft (2,184m) …
Shining the spotlight on the second in command in the cockpit – the co-pilot. The role of the co-pilot is often misunderstood by the flying public. Also known as the first officer, the co-pilot is the junior of the two pilots in the cockpit in terms of rank, and wears two or three stripes on …
Hi Captain Lim, As what we have seen and heard from the news, the survival rate when a plane crashes is mostly 0%. Is there no technology now that can be done to improve the situation? Are personal parachute impractical to increase the survival rate at all? If let’s say the turbine will suck people …
Pilot’s Perspective: A Pilot’s Life What does it take to be a pilot? Captain Lim Khoy Hing explains the requirements and shares about life in the skies. Words: Captain Lim Khoy Hing “Wow, you’re a pilot? That’s fascinating!” I get this remark quite often. The life of an airline pilot conjures up images of travels …
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 …
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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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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 …