Questions tagged [safety]
Safety includes all aspects of protecting aircraft, passengers and crew from accidents, mistakes and other potentially dangerous situations.
1,044
questions
21
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4answers
6k views
Is it legal to take off from the road?
Specifically, I'm referring to the takeoff attempt which led to this crash (video here). This took place on highway 124 in Winnie, TX. Apparently the aircraft had just finished serving as a float in a ...
11
votes
2answers
358 views
Why are gliders oftentimes not equipped with a transponder?
Oftentimes gliders are not equipped with transponders (at least in Europe). Even if they are, they do not necessarily operate it at all times. This is allowed by SERA.13001:
(a) When an aircraft ...
2
votes
1answer
205 views
How is the radius of the danger zone marking for engine inlets calculated?
Does the radius (shown below) take into account smaller objects (FOD), or only people? How is it determined?
Source: Facebook
2
votes
0answers
62 views
Have airlines average fleet age been shrinking?
I had read somewhere that nowadays Average age of Airlines is shrinking. I do not know how much of that is true. I did see this -
https://simpleflying.com/airlines-youngest-fleets/
On the other hand, ...
9
votes
3answers
357 views
Why don't [most] sailplanes use whole-airplane / ballistic parachutes?
My understanding is that sailplanes usually have the pilots wear the parachute on their back, requiring the pilot to bail out of the aircraft before they can use the parachute.
Given the maturity of ...
15
votes
1answer
2k views
How do I request a frequency change to listen to ATIS?
If I only have one radio, and I'm using VFR Flight Following, what do I tell ATC when I want to pick up ATIS for the landing airport before I'm told to contact the tower?
13
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3answers
4k views
What does the expression "Normally with hull loss" mean?
This is a question from a non-english speaking person.
I encountered the expression "Normally with hull loss" in this safety categorization:
(image source: EASA CS-25)
Why is that not only &...
-2
votes
1answer
186 views
Should a runway overrun be expected if takeoff is begun with one-engine-out?
Multi-engine aircraft have enough power to successfully takeoff if one engine fails after V1. But what if, on a runway equal to the specified takeoff distance, someone decided to roll with one engine ...
31
votes
2answers
4k views
Is it safe to carry bear spray on a GA plane?
I'm aware that bear sprays are normally banned from commercial flights, including in checked bags. As I'm not sure of the reason behind that, I'm in turn unsure of whether it's wise to have some with ...
1
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0answers
115 views
Is there a procedure for canopy static discharge before the pilot egresses from the cockpit?
Is there a procedure for canopy static discharge before the pilot egresses from the cockpit?
6
votes
1answer
990 views
Why is the Auto GCAS system on F-16s limited to only 5G?
The automated ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS) on the F-16 is set up for only 5G's.
If the system predicts an imminent collision, an autonomous avoidance maneuver—a roll to wings-level ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
In big transport jets, what is the difference between manoeuvring loads and gust loads?
In the design certifications for big transport jets, there are two factors that must be met in order for a new aircraft to be certified; manoeuvring loads, and gust loads. Why are these two separate ...
4
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0answers
288 views
Why hasn't there been a case of an airliner breaking apart and crashing due to turbulence in the past 40-50 years?
Most of the breakups involved clear air turbulence as well, the type that still can't be detected today.
Examples like:
Boeing 707 (BOAC Flight 911) - which crashed near Mt Fuji
BAC One-Eleven ...
4
votes
2answers
415 views
Is there evidence that inattention to Flight Attendant safety briefings increases risk to all occupants?
So many passengers pay little or no attention to the Flight Attendant safety briefing (or Safety Briefing cards) given prior to takeoff (commercial air carriers).
Question: Are there any data, ...
6
votes
0answers
113 views
Why was the minimum turbulence intensity that commercial airliners have to withstand increased?
From 50 fps turbulence intensity at VC to 90-100 fps turbulence intensity at VC. The amended FAR design criteria was introduced in 1980 or 1981 for commercial airliners. What prompted this change?
2
votes
1answer
159 views
What is the minimum runway surface friction coefficient?
After calculating the friction coefficient for an asphalt runway pavement through a test, how to know if it’s acceptable or not? In other words, hat is the lowest acceptable value for friction ...
1
vote
1answer
151 views
Why do planes not employ a non-technological banking indicator? [duplicate]
I apologise if this is a very daft question with an obvious answer.
I've been enjoying Air Crash Investigation episodes and there have been a few where the pilots, through differing training or faulty ...
1
vote
2answers
122 views
Are the turbulence reports by pilots via PIREPs used by other nearby aircraft or air traffic controllers to modify operations in any way?
I know the pilots are required to report turbulence experienced in the aircraft via PIREPs. The data for turbulence with lat,long,alt and the severity is available. I am wondering if the PIREPs are ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
What kind of weather conditions would produce turbulence with an intensity of 90 feet per second?
This is the official documentation that we found regarding current commercial airplane design criteria; https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/25.341
It says the criteria for continuous turbulence is ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
How does an airline develop a Safety Management System (SMS) program? [closed]
How does an airline develop an SMS program? Like from the ground up. And who does it involve? Does it involve regulators?
I know the 4 pillars but who does it involve?
3
votes
1answer
201 views
On a Gulfstream jet checklist, do you do the walkaround before or after disengaging the gust locks?
On a Gulfstream jet checklist, do you do the walkaround before or after disengaging the gust locks?
With small planes we generally remove the gust locks as we do the walk around, but with a larger jet ...
13
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9answers
7k views
Were propeller airplanes significantly more "scary" to fly in compared to modern jet ones?
I've flown exactly once in my life. It was in 2004, with a commercial jet. Not a "jumbo", but a normal-sized jet plane in common use for cheap flights in that year. (Well, twice if you ...
5
votes
1answer
799 views
When is it appropriate to foam a landing strip? (example JB292)
Background:
I recently watched the Channel5 documentary on JetBlue 292 with their famous sideways landing gear. At around the 8:00-mark you see footage of the actual landing: Main landing gear intact ...
13
votes
1answer
268 views
Has a passenger's consumer electronic device ever actually caused a crash?
Most of us are familiar with the standard warnings and regulations against passengers using electronic devices (at all during takeoff and landing, and in some cases throughout the flight). This is ...
-2
votes
3answers
184 views
Why is it safe flying in a tailwind when taking off is not? [duplicate]
If taking off in q tailwind is unsafe (due to loss of lift from reduced air speed), then why is it safe flying in tailwind, such as in jet stream?
2
votes
1answer
498 views
Have there been accidents involving flight simulators?
Have there been any accidents which have happened to/in flight simulators?
I understand that simulators are used to simulate general accidents for training purposes (engine failure, birdstrikes etc), ...
31
votes
4answers
10k views
Do Flight Simulation Instructors stop the simulator before a simulated crash?
There has been quite a lot of debate in healthcare simulation communities around whether or not to allow a simulated patient to die during training because it might negatively impact the intended ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
How to safely handle AVGAS (100LL)?
Obviously 100LL is risky. It's got lead in it, so there's going to be some danger. But is it possible to not get lead into my system when I start flying?
It is, for obvious reasons, something I wish ...
2
votes
1answer
287 views
What stops Germanwings 9525 happening again — a suicidal pilot crashing the plane?
I'm unpersuaded and still afraid, after reading What safety rule replaced the now-rescinded two-person rule (after Germanwings 9525)?. What's to stop or prevent another lone suicidal pilot from ...
11
votes
2answers
856 views
How often is the fuel sampled in turbine aircraft?
In planes using avgas, sampling fuel from the tanks is generally done before every flight, or at least before the first flight of the day and then after any refueling. This is done because water ...
-4
votes
1answer
202 views
Why did Boeing choose for a solution as aerodynamically invasive as MCAS to solve a much less safety related issue? [closed]
Why would Boeing, or anyone, ever jeopardize the aerodynamic integrity of an airliner, just to change the way a pilot feels the controls? The more I learn about it, the clearer it becomes that that is ...
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vote
5answers
302 views
In theory, can jetliners remain controllable after losing the entire tail section?
The scenario here is a detachment of the tail,one with the whole empennage.
Could a variant of an existing model of swept winged jet airliner be made to remain controllable, using ailerons, ...
22
votes
1answer
2k views
What makes a jet single pilot certified?
Why are some small-ish jets (Embraer Phenom 300, Pilatus PC-24 for example) single-pilot certified? The pilot still has to fly+navigate+communicate. Why would a small jet be more manageable than a ...
5
votes
1answer
397 views
Is it safe to use a propeller plane to fly commercially over the Tibetan Plateau?
I saw this youtube video today: Flying over Mt Everest. A lovely view of stunning nature - quite spectacular. However, I looked up the plane - or at least what I think is the plane - and found that it ...
2
votes
4answers
515 views
Engine out over a mountain road. Do you land upwind or up hill?
You're flying solo in a late-model, fixed-gear Cessna 172 with half-full fuel tanks. You are at 1000 feet AGL, 100 knots indicated, directly above the middle of a 2000 foot long straight section of ...
16
votes
8answers
6k views
Could an airliner exceed Mach 1 in a zero-G power dive and safely recover?
(I looked for duplicates. I really did.)
Being as it is that "safety" and this are mutually exclusive:
I am stupid. I take a cruising A320, apply TOGA power, and push zero Gs until I exceed ...
5
votes
3answers
378 views
Helicopter mast bumping in low g condition
The helicopter shown in the concrete pouring video seems to taking off from a hill and descending down in a way which can be classified as low G with low rotor loading. Although, the helicopter is ...
9
votes
2answers
964 views
What does "the other's right" refer to in 14 CFR Part 91.113?
There's a part in 14 CFR Part 91.113 (regarding airborne right-of-way rules) that's been confusing me:
Converging. When aircraft of the same category are converging at approximately the same altitude ...
0
votes
1answer
208 views
How does ATC handle a controller with psychological trauma?
I've finally got around to watching Breaking Bad, (spoiler alert) in the last episode of season 2 a bereaved ATC controller accidentally causes a mid-air collision.
I am not asking whether the actual ...
2
votes
3answers
190 views
Dangers to the Engine if CHT goes below minimum in flight during descent?
What are the dangers of CHT going below minimum in flight during descent since the power setting will be around 10inches in a power descent?
1
vote
1answer
189 views
In wing design, how is factor of safety related to G-limits?
What does factor of safety mean with regard to the maximum G force an aircraft is rated for? Does a rating of 3Gs mean the same as a safety factor of 3? Or is there some extra margin?
5
votes
1answer
341 views
Why are you not allowed to use power sockets in the seats during takeoff and landings?
Is it because the extra strain on the electrical system reduces engine performance?
3
votes
1answer
207 views
Why are even drone flights prohibited due to the earthquakes near Mt Keilir, Iceland?
A "swarm" of over 20,000 earthquakes has rocked Iceland in the past 10 days — and it could spark a volcanic eruption links to this tweet by Almannavarnadeild ríkislögreglustjóra; The ...
56
votes
8answers
11k views
Why don’t airplanes use turn signals?
Why don’t airplanes use turn signals like cars do? Would this improve safety for ground operations at uncontrolled airports? Could a similar concept be used to indicate in air maneuvers?
For example: ...
30
votes
1answer
5k views
How do airports detect drones?
Recently, there's been a lot of coverage in the news of drones disturbing operations at airports.
Do airports have a method to detect drones? If yes, how does it work? If it's still an emerging ...
3
votes
1answer
193 views
Modern airliners are designed to be able to withstand the worst (vertical) turbulence. But what about the rarer lateral (horizontal) turbulence?
'Extreme' turbulence is a derived vertical gust velocity of >3,000 fpm (50 fps) that causes a vertical G-load of >3. The limit turbulence intensity for a modern day airliner is 90 fps. (there is ...
0
votes
1answer
119 views
Is flap-asymmetry protection on airliners still active even on the ground?
On aircraft with flaps, a general certification requirement is that it must not be possible for the aircraft to suffer a loss of lateral control secondary to an asymmetric-flap condition. This ...
0
votes
3answers
204 views
Why do we take off with maximum power settings?
In most GA prop airplanes, take-off is executed with full throttle and high rpm. The usual reasoning is that this way, we leave the first few hundred feet, where failures are most severe, behind as ...
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0answers
77 views
What is the relation between cargo smoke and EDTO?
I have heard a lot of people discussing about cargo smoke and Extended Diversion Time Operations (EDTO) together. Just want to know how these two affect each other.
0
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2answers
300 views
Why are these 3 planes so close?
I spotted these three planes flying east then turning south. They were over the Hopi reservation and heading toward Winslow, AZ at 10:42 AM local time (MST), today February 5 2021. They were at 15k ...
