How do planes know when they are locked on?

A Radar Warning Receiver/ RWR is used for this kind of detection; it basically looks for the presence of energy in a specific radar band (once you've been 'lit') and the fancy ones can analyze the signal strength, phase and waveform type, giving a reasonable estimate of the actual threat.



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Aircraft monitors generally have two modes: search and track. In search mode, the radar sweeps a radio beam across the sky in a zig-zag pattern. When the radio beam is reflected by a target aircraft, an indication appears on one of the pilot's radar display.

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Harrowing video shows the moment a plane's door burst open during a flight over Brazil, causing the aircraft to make an emergency landing. The passengers and crew received medical assistance, but there were no serious injuries, the airport said.

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Unfortunately, it's only possible to have an air marshal on some commercial flights. Air marshals are deployed on select international and domestic flights that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has determined to pose a greater risk of terrorist activity.

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Prior to departure (usually before engine startup), all the aircraft doors are placed into the armed (or automatic) mode by the cabin crew.

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Ejecting from a plane takes no more than four seconds from the time the ejection handle is pulled. The exact amount of time depends on the seat model and the crewmember's body weight. Pulling the ejection handle on a seat sets off an explosive cartridge in the catapult gun, launching the ejection seat into the air.

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The program is conducted by specially trained undercover armed RCMP officers (known as aircraft protective officers – APOs) on selected domestic and international flights and all flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the United States.

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No one knows which passenger is the air marshal, or even if an air marshal is present on the flight at all. Although their exact numbers are kept classified, airline insiders estimate that only five percent of U.S. flights have an air marshal on board.

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Because of the importance of crew rest, many widebody aircraft have a secret room reserved for crew members so they can sleep between shifts.

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