On a very bumpy flight from KC MO to NYC, with wings flopping up & down I was a bit concerned. 2 aircraft design engineers behind me pointed to a very small bolt holding engines to the wing, & remarking that it was designed to drop engines if turbulence became too extreme. Then the stewardess took our drinks away.
I once had a first-time flyer that was quite nervous and would not stop asking questions. During some turbulence, the seatbelt sign came on. She asked why we had to fasten the seat belts. I told her that was so they could identify the fried bodies after the plane crashed. She was too frightened to speak after that and I finally had some quiet.
While (on my airplane) an engine quitting might guarantee a decent, all that really means is that I will be landing sooner rather than later. The quality of the landing depends on the terrain and the skill of the pilot. Even large commercial airliners can be safely landed with all engines out… so long as you don’t panic and do something stupid. And, on multi-engine aircraft, a single engine out doesn’t even guarantee a decent… that depends on weather, altitude and performance specs.
I was once on a short commuter flight, six passengers in-line behind the pilot/co-pilot/cabin steward (all rolled into one). He passed the small basket of hard candies back after we took off. Landing was on a short strip that ended at a seaside cliff edge. We used every inch of that strip bringing the single-engine prop plane to a halt. And I mean every inch! Peering out over the cliff edge was scary, even though we were safely (more or less) on the ground at that point.
William Pursell over 7 years ago
Oh Aye, and what a conversationalist is our Broomie Luv!
LeftCoastKen Premium Member over 7 years ago
“How far will this plane travel with an engine out?” “All the way to the scene of the crash!”
cj7ole over 7 years ago
As I sit here waiting for my flight to Maimi…
Banjo Gordy Premium Member over 7 years ago
On a very bumpy flight from KC MO to NYC, with wings flopping up & down I was a bit concerned. 2 aircraft design engineers behind me pointed to a very small bolt holding engines to the wing, & remarking that it was designed to drop engines if turbulence became too extreme. Then the stewardess took our drinks away.
pchemcat over 7 years ago
I once had a first-time flyer that was quite nervous and would not stop asking questions. During some turbulence, the seatbelt sign came on. She asked why we had to fasten the seat belts. I told her that was so they could identify the fried bodies after the plane crashed. She was too frightened to speak after that and I finally had some quiet.
sml7291 Premium Member over 7 years ago
While (on my airplane) an engine quitting might guarantee a decent, all that really means is that I will be landing sooner rather than later. The quality of the landing depends on the terrain and the skill of the pilot. Even large commercial airliners can be safely landed with all engines out… so long as you don’t panic and do something stupid. And, on multi-engine aircraft, a single engine out doesn’t even guarantee a decent… that depends on weather, altitude and performance specs.
jpsomebody over 7 years ago
When I fly, I prefer all of the engines to be out. It’s too noisy when they are in.
BWR over 7 years ago
The only time an aircraft has too much fuel is if it’s on fire.
A good landing is one you can walk away from. A great landing means you can use the aircraft again.
Sisyphos over 7 years ago
I was once on a short commuter flight, six passengers in-line behind the pilot/co-pilot/cabin steward (all rolled into one). He passed the small basket of hard candies back after we took off. Landing was on a short strip that ended at a seaside cliff edge. We used every inch of that strip bringing the single-engine prop plane to a halt. And I mean every inch! Peering out over the cliff edge was scary, even though we were safely (more or less) on the ground at that point.