1 Syncope or near-syncope is the most commonly experienced in-flight medical problem, followed by respiratory symptoms and nausea or vomiting.
People Also Ask
A doctor may not always be seated in the cabin on your flight, but most commercial airlines are aware that in-flight medical emergencies can happen (I've written about one or two such instances myself in my time at USA TODAY). Most carriers contract with on-the-ground experts in emergency medicine at altitude.
While no passenger or non-experienced pilot has ever successfully landed a commercial plane, occasionally someone without experience manages to land a smaller plane.
Pilots hate paperwork, and too many pilots hesitate to declare an emergency because they don't want to deal with the consequences. This is a dangerous mindset. Maydays may not be free from paperwork, but they do buy you the attention and priority that you need in the moment.
Accident statistics from Plane and Pilot Magazine show about 10% of all aviation accidents occur at night. But accidents at night can be more likely to be fatal.
General Aviation Accident StatisticsThe general aviation accident rate has declined significantly in the last 20 years. The number of general aviation accidents has remained essentially unchanged in the last five years. Understanding why accidents happen can help us become safer pilots.
The type of weather that delays and cancels flights is called inclement weather. Inclement weather is categorized as thunderstorms, snowstorms, wind shear, icing, and fog.
Jet aircraft can safely fly over thunderstorms only if their flight altitude is well above the turbulent cloud tops. The most intense and turbulent storms are often the tallest storms, so en route flights always seek to go around them.
Yes. Some planes ? gliders ? don't have engines in the first place. When all engines fail in a powered plane fail, the pilots are often able to glide the plane to a safe landing, preferably at an airport, or if not that, a safe landing place, such as the Hudson River.
While no passenger or non-experienced pilot has ever successfully landed a commercial plane, occasionally someone without experience manages to land a smaller plane.
So-called autoland systems are a part of aircraft autopilots. All large modern jets are equipped with such systems, which can automatically land the aircraft, albeit under careful supervision from the pilots themselves.