Let me start off by introducing myself. I am someone who regularly flies due to the nature of my job. However I have a fear of flying. My fear is that the plane will crash due to a human error. Nevertheless my flight from Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam, Boeing 737-800 (3 and a half hours) were good ones. The South African Airways pilots always land smoothly. I've never experienced a problem with them. But on a Kenyan Airways flights I find that we rock from left to right each time we land. Why is this? Is this an indication that Kenyan Airways is a dangerous airline? When this happens does it mean that the pilot does not know how to land properly?
My second question is what would happen if both engines of a Boeing 737-800 were to switch off if in flight? Is it possible to glide that thing?
3rd question: We we are getting ready to take off why does the plastic interior creak in the boeing 737?
4th question: If you as a pilot know that something is wrong with the plane will you still take off? even if it's a minor minor fault?
please excuse me if these questions are not appropriate but I need to know.
thanks
SAA (South African Airways) Flight from JHB to Dar es Salaam
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crikeymoses
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 31 Mar 2004, 00:00
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crikeymoses
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 31 Mar 2004, 00:00
Crikeymoses,
Welcome to Luchtzak. You are not paranoid, just asking the right questions. Hopefully all your questions will be answered soon.
1) All pilots, whether from SAA/SAL, Kenya Airways, Air France or SN Brussels Airlines have undergone a long and serious training on how to fly a plane properly. Do not fear. Maybe you have a prejudice against pilots who are not from your own country and that makes you feel that they are not up to your own standards. It is probably a misperception.
2) Both engines of a 738 simultaneously off? Very unlikely. Even if it happened, the plane will somehow "glide" and land (although not too smoothly) at an airport that is not too far away or on any level surface...
3) Plastic and metal have different coefficients of thermal expansion (the difference is a factor of 10). No wonder that it makes some noise when the temperature changes.
4) I am not a pilot. But a pilot knows when the problem is bad enough to keep the plane on the ground. He will never endanger you (or himself! after all, he is his first passenger...).
I remember a flight on an AA 767 between ORD and SFO. The thrust reverser did not function at the check before take-off. The pilot waited for a replacement which never came, as it was not available at ORD. But he also knew that the runway at SFO was long enough. He thus departed and eventually made a smooth landing, and I never had any fear.
Hope this helps!
Fear of flying can be overcome. Some airlines even provide courses about it (I am not sure about SAA/SAL).
Welcome to Luchtzak. You are not paranoid, just asking the right questions. Hopefully all your questions will be answered soon.
1) All pilots, whether from SAA/SAL, Kenya Airways, Air France or SN Brussels Airlines have undergone a long and serious training on how to fly a plane properly. Do not fear. Maybe you have a prejudice against pilots who are not from your own country and that makes you feel that they are not up to your own standards. It is probably a misperception.
2) Both engines of a 738 simultaneously off? Very unlikely. Even if it happened, the plane will somehow "glide" and land (although not too smoothly) at an airport that is not too far away or on any level surface...
3) Plastic and metal have different coefficients of thermal expansion (the difference is a factor of 10). No wonder that it makes some noise when the temperature changes.
4) I am not a pilot. But a pilot knows when the problem is bad enough to keep the plane on the ground. He will never endanger you (or himself! after all, he is his first passenger...).
I remember a flight on an AA 767 between ORD and SFO. The thrust reverser did not function at the check before take-off. The pilot waited for a replacement which never came, as it was not available at ORD. But he also knew that the runway at SFO was long enough. He thus departed and eventually made a smooth landing, and I never had any fear.
Hope this helps!
Fear of flying can be overcome. Some airlines even provide courses about it (I am not sure about SAA/SAL).
Last edited by sn26567 on 31 Mar 2004, 15:25, edited 1 time in total.
André
ex Sabena #26567
ex Sabena #26567
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Jense
crikeymoses, welcome and let me say you one thing:
A pilot has also wife, family and kids and wants to come home as safe as you want to come home. No captain will take-off with a plane that is not safe or he is not sure about. Everything is done by the book. All pilots and co-pilots receive line checks, medical checks, sim sessions etc etc exactly by a scheme made by the aviation authorities. Last but not least, your car drive to the aiport is 1000 times more dangerous then your flight after it, hopes this will help you a little coming over your fear!
Greetz,
Erwin
A pilot has also wife, family and kids and wants to come home as safe as you want to come home. No captain will take-off with a plane that is not safe or he is not sure about. Everything is done by the book. All pilots and co-pilots receive line checks, medical checks, sim sessions etc etc exactly by a scheme made by the aviation authorities. Last but not least, your car drive to the aiport is 1000 times more dangerous then your flight after it, hopes this will help you a little coming over your fear!
Greetz,
Erwin
A Whole Different Animal
Fpr sure the a 737 can glide to an airport when both engines fail.
Some years ago there was a 767 that run out of fuel while in fuel flights due to a mistake of the fuelling company (don't wan't to make you afraid.).
THis 767 was gliding for about 1,5 hour and landed safetly at an airport that was around.
Best Regards,
Yvo
Some years ago there was a 767 that run out of fuel while in fuel flights due to a mistake of the fuelling company (don't wan't to make you afraid.).
THis 767 was gliding for about 1,5 hour and landed safetly at an airport that was around.
Best Regards,
Yvo
First of all I'd like to welcome you on Luchtzak crikeymoses 
Now to your questions:
I don't think that this should mean that the pilots don't know how to land !!!
but I'm sure the pilot won't take off if he/she thinks the plane isn't safe. Don't forget that the pilot doesn't want to die in an accident !!!
If you want to know more about thechnical features of the B737 you can always check out the following link: http://www.b737.org.uk/
Kind Regards
Chris
8)
Now to your questions:
Maybe you didn't flew in the same weather conditions. There was maybe a litlle bit of wind when you landed with the Kenya Airways planeBut on a Kenyan Airways flights I find that we rock from left to right each time we land. Why is this? Is this an indication that Kenyan Airways is a dangerous airline? When this happens does it mean that the pilot does not know how to land properly?
I don't think that this should mean that the pilots don't know how to land !!!As allready told, it is very unlikely that both engines fail !!! the reliability of the CFM's on the B737's are VERY good. I don't know the real figures anymore but it must be something like 99.9% or something like that. And don't forget that pilots are trained to face situations where both engines fail !!!what would happen if both engines of a Boeing 737-800 were to switch off if in flight? Is it possible to glide that thing?
Don't worry that's only the interior it's a normal sound which isn't very important. The plane will still stay in one piecewe are getting ready to take off why does the plastic interior creak in the boeing 737?
Can't answer you this question since I'm not a pilotIf you as a pilot know that something is wrong with the plane will you still take off? even if it's a minor minor fault?
but I'm sure the pilot won't take off if he/she thinks the plane isn't safe. Don't forget that the pilot doesn't want to die in an accident !!!If you want to know more about thechnical features of the B737 you can always check out the following link: http://www.b737.org.uk/
Kind Regards
Chris
8)
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crikeymoses
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 31 Mar 2004, 00:00
thanks so much for these replies. You've really helped me put things into perspective. I love flying but my mind can have an overactive imagination.
I will check out that b737 link, it's probably my favourite plane to travel in (for short distances), although the airbus A340-200 is a damn smooth ride (but only flown with that once).
2 MORE QUESTIONS
1. Why is it that whenever we land the air hostesses ask us to keep the window slats open?
2. Is it okay for people (I've only witnessed this once within the plane) to take photos with their digital camera during the landing process?
thanks again
btw there's a lot of information on this site to divulge so this is not going to be the last you'll hear from me.
[/b]
I will check out that b737 link, it's probably my favourite plane to travel in (for short distances), although the airbus A340-200 is a damn smooth ride (but only flown with that once).
2 MORE QUESTIONS
1. Why is it that whenever we land the air hostesses ask us to keep the window slats open?
2. Is it okay for people (I've only witnessed this once within the plane) to take photos with their digital camera during the landing process?
thanks again
btw there's a lot of information on this site to divulge so this is not going to be the last you'll hear from me.
[/b]
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Flying_Dutchman
- Posts: 639
- Joined: 10 Dec 2003, 00:00
- Location: The Netherlands, Les Pays-Bas
That never happened to me, but I guess it has to deal with that they can keep an ey on the exterior (the wing), or just in an event of an evacuation it's safer due to more light in the cabin. but these are my thougts. maybe it's happen for another reason.crikeymoses wrote:1. Why is it that whenever we land the air hostesses ask us to keep the window slats open?[/b]
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crikeymoses
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 31 Mar 2004, 00:00
crikeymoses,
That's another security measure. With the blinds being open, people will get "familiar" to the environment outside the plane. They won't be lost and disoriented IF they have to disembark during an emergency. Since people are not so disoriented they will disembak the plane more quickly and in a more efficient way.
During the night the cabin lights are turned off, to be sure that the human eye will get used to the darkness. In case of an emergency people will again be able to disembark more quickly.
BTW I'm not an expert so don't shoot me if I'm wrong
Greetings
Chris
8)
1. Why is it that whenever we land the air hostesses ask us to keep the window slats open?
That's another security measure. With the blinds being open, people will get "familiar" to the environment outside the plane. They won't be lost and disoriented IF they have to disembark during an emergency. Since people are not so disoriented they will disembak the plane more quickly and in a more efficient way.
During the night the cabin lights are turned off, to be sure that the human eye will get used to the darkness. In case of an emergency people will again be able to disembark more quickly.
Personally I think that there is no danger at all with digital cameras or videocameras. They don't send Electromagnetic waves (like the phone does) and so couldn't interfere with the navigation system.2. Is it okay for people (I've only witnessed this once within the plane) to take photos with their digital camera during the landing process?
BTW I'm not an expert so don't shoot me if I'm wrong
Greetings
Chris
8)