Have you ever wondered what you would do if the pilot of the plane you are on were unconscious? If there is no one else capable of flying the plane, your safety may depend on your ability to make several important decisions. Your landing would probably be guided by someone over the radio, but this article will help you know what you should expect. While such scenarios are common in movies and television shows, in the real world no individual without proper training has ever had to land a large plane; however, with some basic skills and guidance from the air traffic controllers, it is possible to do so.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preliminary Actions
Step 1. Take a seat
The captain usually sits in the left seat where the greatest concentration of instruments is present, especially in light single-engined aircraft. Fasten your seat belt and safety harness, if any. In any case, almost all aircraft have dual controls and can be landed without problems by taking the guide from both sides. Don't touch the controls just yet! Most likely it will be on autopilot. Leave it running for now.
Make sure that the unconscious pilot is not leaning on the control unit, which for the airplane is the equivalent of a car steering wheel. Some aircraft may have a joystick-shaped side stick to the left of the captain's seat
Step 2. Take a break
You will likely be overwhelmed with anxiety and panic at the gravity of the situation. Remember to breathe - it will help you focus. Take a slow, deep breath to give your body a feeling of calm: you can handle the situation perfectly.
Step 3. Level the plane
If it is going steeply uphill, downhill or if it is veering, align the plane gently using the artificial horizon as a guide. As you can see, in the end all that time spent on video games is about to pay off!
- Look for the horizon indicator. Sometimes called the artificial horizon, it consists of a series of miniature "wings" and a photograph of the horizon. The top is blue, for the sky, and the bottom is brown. On some complex aircraft, the indicator is displayed on the computer screen in front of the pilot. For older aircraft, it is in the center of the top instrument row. On current airliners, there is a Primary Flight Display (PFD) directly in front of you: it allows you to view vital information such as Relative Speed (IAS) measured in knots, Ground Speed (GS), always in knots, altitude, measured in feet, and the course. It should also highlight whether the autopilot is engaged or not - usually denoted by AP or CMD.
- Modify the pitch (the ascent or descent movement, i.e. the rotation around the transverse axis) and the lateral slope (curvature), if necessary, so that the miniature wings are at the same level as the artificial horizon. If they are already level, absolutely do not touch the controls, but move on to the next step. If you need to, however, adjust your flying attitude by pulling the stick towards you to raise the nose or push it forward to lower it. Heeling can be corrected by turning the joystick left or right, according to the desired direction. At the same time, a slight backward pressure must be applied to the joystick to prevent the airplane from losing altitude.
Step 4. Enter the autopilot
If you are trying to correct the flight path, the autopilot is probably off. Start it by pushing the buttons "Autopilot", "Autopilot", "AFS", "AP" or something similar. On passenger aircraft it is located in the center of the flight panel, in a position that both pilots can easily reach.
Deactivate it again by pressing all buttons that can be found on the joystick ONLY if the aircraft appears to be making unwanted movements. There will probably be a “Disconnect Autopilot” button. Usually the best way to fly a plane stably is not to touch the controls, as it is already programmed to achieve adequate balance
Part 2 of 2: Landing Procedure
Step 1. Get help over the radio
Look for a microphone to hold - normally to the left of the pilot's seat, just below the side window. Use it as a CB radio, the so-called kiosk. Find that microphone or take the pilot's headset, press the button and, holding it down, repeat "Mayday" three times, followed by a brief description of the emergency you are in (plane in disarray due to an unconscious pilot, for example). Remember to release the button to hear the answer. A flight controller at the airport will help you land the plane safely. Listen carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability: he can assist you in the most appropriate way.
- Alternatively, you can take the pilot's headset and press the push-to-talk (PTT) button, which is on the joystick. But you have to be careful not to accidentally press the autopilot button, otherwise you risk damaging everything: that's why it is better to use the portable radio.
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Attempt to call support on the frequency you are currently on, the one the pilot was previously using to communicate with someone. Use the words "May-Day, May-Day" at the beginning of your call. If you fail after repeated attempts and if you know for sure how to change radio frequencies, you can seek help by tuning to 121.50 MHz.
If you see a red light on the illuminated panel, tell the controller. Below it, there will be a description of the light and you will understand if it is the generator, low voltage or other. Obviously this light requires immediate attention
- If you can find the Transponder - it has four windows each containing a digit from 0 - 7 and is located on the bottom of the radio panel - set it to 7700. This is an emergency code that will immediately come to the flight controllers.
Step 2. Use the aircraft's radio caller ID when talking to the controller
The aircraft identifier is on the panel: unfortunately it does not have a predefined standard position, but the code, somewhere, is certainly there. US registered aircraft identifiers begin with the letter "N" (for example "N12345"). "N" can be confused with other single letters when pronouncing it over the radio, so you have to say "November". By communicating the caller ID, the aircraft will be automatically recognized and the flight controllers will be able to retrieve important information to help you land.
If you are on a commercial airplane (a flight operated by an airline such as Alitalia, Lufthansa, US Airways, etc.), it is not indicated with its "N" number. Instead, it is called by its identifier or flight number. Sometimes pilots put a sticky post-it on the panel as a reminder. Ask a hostess. When calling on the radio, you need to say the airline name first, then the number. If your flight number was 123 and you were flying with United, your identifier would be "United 1-2-3". Remember that you must read the digits that make up the number individually: one - two - three, not one hundred twenty-three
Step 3. Keep to safe speed
Look for the relative speed indicator (usually labeled ASI, Airspeed or Knots) which is usually located on the top left of the dashboard and check the speed. It will be expressed in MPH (Miles Per Hour) or KNOTS. Don't fly a small two-seater under 70 knots and a Jumbo under 180. Ultimately, just make sure the needle stays in the "green" zone of your normal flight regime, until you get specific help and guidance. by radio.
If the airspeed is increasing and you have not touched the throttle, you are probably descending, so gently pull the control stick back to slow down. On the other hand, if the speed is decreasing, gently push down to increase the speed. Don't let the plane fly too slowly, especially close to the ground. Can stall: the wing no longer exerts lift
Step 4. Begin the descent
The controller speaking to you should brief you on landing procedures for aircraft and direct you to a safe place to land. It will likely help you land on an airport runway, but in rare circumstances it may be necessary to land on a field or road. If you have to land but can't get to an airport, avoid places with power lines, trees, or other obstacles.
- To initiate the descent of the plane, pull the throttle back to reduce the power, until you hear the sound that the engines are varying their revolutions, after which you stop. It is not possible to generalize, but this throttle movement probably should not exceed approximately 6 cm of the throttle stroke. Keep the relative speed within the range of values displayed by the green arc. The nose of the plane should drop by itself without you having to push forward on the yoke.
- If you find yourself constantly pushing or pulling the yoke to keep the airplane steady, you need to use trim to relieve those pressures. If not, it could be very tiring and / or distracting. The trim wheel is typically approximately 15 - 20cm in diameter and rotates in the same direction as the landing gear wheels. It is often found near the knees on either side. It is black and has small reliefs on the outer edges. As you press against the yoke, gently turn the trim. If the pressure you hold tends to increase, turn the wheel in the opposite direction until you no longer need to maintain the original pressure level. Note: on some small airplanes, the trim wheel can be found on the inner canopy in the form of a crank. Also, on some larger aircraft, the trim is a switch on the glyph (control lever). It is usually on the left, near the top. If the aircraft is pushing the joystick towards you, you can push the lever down. If she's moving away from you, lift her up.
Step 5. Get ready for landing
You will use several drag devices to slow the plane down without losing lift. Get the landing gear out if it's retractable. If the gear is fixed, it is always down and you don't have to do anything. The landing gear handle (at the end of the grip is shaped like a tire) is usually just to the right of the center console, above the co-pilot's knee. If you need to land on the water, however, keep the landing gear high.
- Just before touching, it will be necessary to raise the nose of the plane for the "flare" maneuver and land on the main wheels in the first place. A flare is typically 5 - 7 ° in a small aircraft. In some larger aircraft, however, a flare can mean up to 15 ° of raised nose.
- If you fly a large commercial aircraft, activate reverse propulsion, if the aircraft has it. On the Boeing, there are bars behind the engine dial. Pull them back all the way and the thrust will be directed to stop the aircraft. If all else fails, pull back the throttle as fast as possible.
- Reduce the power to idle by pulling the throttle all the way towards you, until you reach the idle mark. It is a black lever that is usually located between the pilot and the co-pilot.
- Brake gently on the top of the rudder pedals. Use enough pressure to stop the plane without skidding. The rudder pedals are used to direct the aircraft to the ground, so do not use them unless the aircraft is veering off the runway.
Step 6. Congratulate yourself
After getting help for the unconscious pilot, you can finally pass out too. Keep complimenting and be proud of yourself - you've earned it. And if you happen to see another plane, let alone get on it, you may have what it takes to fly it, but you should take flying lessons from a certified instructor.
Advice
- Make any changes to the controls slowly and wait until you notice the changes. Making quick or abrupt changes could get you out of control quickly.
- Before taking off, ask the pilot-in-command where the basic controls are. These should include instrumentation, wheel / joystick control, throttle, transponder, radio and rudder / brake pedals. Warning: if you are with an airline, doing so could really annoy the crew. Consider buying a game like X-Plane, Flight Sim or even Google Earth (under the Tools menu).
- There are no general rules on how to use the yoke and how much pressure to exert. To be on the safe side, treat her gently. But it also means having to move it decisively when circumstances require it. Typically, leave the abrupt deviations of the piloting lever to fighter pilots.
- Find a pilot who plays with X-Plane or Flight Sim. Ask the pilot to set up an airplane for which you may be a passenger and set the aircraft to straight and level flight. Then sit down and land the plane. After reading the above, it should be a breeze!
- Check out the Air Safety Foundation's Pinch Hitter course for all the information that has been developed by aviation safety professionals and you need to know about what to do when a pilot loses consciousness.
Warnings
- Pay attention to the choice of landing sites. Larger aircraft require greater landing distance. Also, make sure there are no obstructions around that area (power lines, buildings, trees, etc.). You can also land airplanes on a big road, however there should be no obstacles.
- The procedure thus described is for emergency situations only. Don't rely on these recreational flying instructions, but find a certified flight instructor.
- While all of the above tips are great, the only important thing to remember is to "fly the plane". Even experienced pilots, when it comes to an emergency situation, focus so much on one or two elements - be it relative speed or finding a landing spot or radio or whatever - that they forget. simply to fly the plane, with catastrophic results. Keep it in the air. As long as the plane is in the air, it can take your time to find a solution to everything else.
