The chances of the average person landing a plane safely if they were talked through it by ground control are very slim, if not impossible. This is because flying and landing a plane requires a lot of skill, knowledge, and experience that cannot be easily acquired or transferred in an emergency situation.

The question of whether a non-pilot could land a commercial airliner is a popular subject of debate, and the consensus among aviation experts is that while it is highly unlikely to succeed on the first try without help, it is "theoretically possible" with modern technology. In a "talk-down" scenario, an air traffic controller or a pilot on the ground would guide the passenger through the complex steps of using the radio, configuring the flaps, and managing the airspeed. Most modern jets also feature Autoland systems; if the passenger can be talked through the process of programming the flight computer to intercept an ILS (Instrument Landing System) signal, the plane can technically land itself. However, the psychological stress and the sheer number of controls in a cockpit make this a "zero-percent chance" outcome for an unassisted person. Simulator studies show that average people almost always "crash" during the high-speed flare and touchdown phase due to over-correcting the controls. For light, general aviation aircraft (like a Cessna 172), a passenger has a much higher chance of success, provided they can maintain a steady glide and keep the wings level until they reach the runway.