Multiple pilots stepped up to answer the question, but the response was unanimous, while you may have the best of intentions - don't do it. Scott Kinder, a 737 Captain at a Major U.S. Airline for over 10 years said, Don't even think about it.
“Thanks for the flight, guys!” The biggest compliment you can give to a pilot when leaving an airplane is to thank them for their hard work and dedication in getting you safely from point A to point B.
Why do pilots tell you how high you are? Answer: It is normally part of the welcome aboard announcement as a matter of interest. We provide the time of the flight, the cruise altitude, landmarks of interest along way and the weather.
But perhaps most contentious of all is the custom of clapping when an airplane lands. In an online poll of 39,954 people conducted by BuzzFeed, only 13 percent of participants admit to cabin clapping. The other 87 percent hold their applause, and judging by the poll's comments, they also abhor the practice.
Though exceptions exist, pilots are usually free to decide who flies every flight. Some airports feature challenging approaches due to their proximity to rising terrain. These airports might require special training to fly to and are often captain-only flights.
The feeling of not being in control is enough to make even professional pilots feel a little uneasy during a flight. That said, understanding how the aircraft works and what the reasons are behind the events which make you nervous can go a long way in helping calm your nerves.
Yes, the FAA permits pilots to listen to music as long as it's not distracting. Some headphones have the ability to have two inputs, one for comms and one for music, and can silence the music whenever audio is detected on the comms input.
Fatigue is particularly prevalent among pilots because of unpredictable work hours, long duty periods, circadian disruption, and insufficient sleep. These factors can occur together to produce a combination of sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm effects, and 'time-on task' fatigue.
While it all comes down to your preferences, daytime flying has the upper hand when it comes to visibility. Because of the sunlight, any possible obstructions, such as rocks or mountains, are far easier to spot, making the likelihood of accidents much less and daytime flying the safer option by far.
Pilots walk around the aircraft to ensure that the aircraft's exterior is safe and secure. Pilots are looking for various problems such as: Loose parts. Fluid Leaks, such as hydraulic or fuel.
It's probably embarrassing to admit it, but if you're like most other pilots, the answer is “Yes.” According to Chaytor Mason, a retired professor of aviation psychology at the University of Southern California, the rate of acrophobia is upwards of 90% in some of the pilot groups he's encountered.