I have a question for the pilots here - yesterday on my flight I looked out the window twice and saw planes flying directly under us or past us - not at the
same altitude, but one in particular seemed pretty close. Does being on the plane make it appear that objects (even other planes) are closer than they
actually are? I know that there are many built in safety measures for planes in flight, but this freaked me out a bit yesterday and it was tough to get the
calm feelings back....
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Planes Flying Closely
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 Nalatwo |
Planes Flying Closely |
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Posts: 5 (07/23/08 10:06:33) |
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 Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2317 (07/23/08 13:40:16) |
Another plane can look level with yours when it is at a different altitude.
TCAS in the cockpit shows us all the planes in the area on a radar screen. Air traffic control keeps planes separate laterally or vertically or both. During landing, if both pilots see each other, it is OK to land with closer spacing that that provided by ATC. |
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
CHAT AND FREE COUNSELING TONIGHT | ||
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Posts: 2318 (07/23/08 13:43:06) |
Chat is from 9 until 11 PM eastern time at http://fearofflying.com/chat.shtml
Counseling session starts at 10 PM and runs until 11 PM. To join in
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Capn Steve |
Planes flying closely | ||
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Posts: 504 (07/26/08 16:29:20) |
Hi Nalatwo --
Capt. Tom is correct. You see another airplane and you think that it must be at your altitude. Or, at least, very close. But -- it's not. Airplanes are separated by 1000 feet vertically. And several miles laterally, depending on the phase of flight. (Less for terminal areas. More for enroute, where speeds are higher, and radar resolution isn't quite as precise as in terminal areas.) It's plenty of separation, but it doesn't always LOOK like "plenty of separation," And -- especially if it's a very large airplane you're looking at, such as a 747 or 777 or A330 or A340. You will see one go by out the window and SWEAR that you almost brushed wingtips. But -- you didn't. You were perfectly safe all along. TCAS (Traffic Conflict Avoidance System), which we have in the cockpit, has been around for quite a few years now. It keeps us aware of the location of other air traffic, and gives us guidance for changing our flight path in case we get too close to another airplane. Of course, the Air Traffic Controller working our flight is still our primary source for traffic information. (And -- we are legally required to adhere to ATC clearances, unless we get a warning from TCAS that we must alter our flight path. In that case, we will follow the TCAS directive, advise the controller, and return to our planned flight path as soon as possible.) It would be extremely rarely that a TCAS warning (called an RA, or Resolution Advisory) would occur at normal cruising altitudes. Or even in a terminal area at a busy airport, where ALL traffic is under positive control. It would most likely occur at lower altitudes, near less-busy airports, where not all air traffic is controlled by ATC. Even then, it's pretty rare. In decades past, mid-air collisions occasionally occurred. We still must be vigilant -- and we indeed are. But modern equipment such as TCAS, plus improved radar systems for the controllers, have cut this possibility to near-zero. Hope this helps. Cheers. Steve |
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Note from Capt. Tom I know everyone worries about weather, but pilots really do not worry about it. We simply - instead of worrying about it - completely prepare for it. Before going to the plane, we review the weather at the destination. If it is not 100% sure to be within legal limits when we arrive at the destination, we must specify an alternate airport in our planning documents, and load on plenty of fuel for going to the destination airport, and then if need be, diverting to the alternate airport. The legal limits are conservative. Even when weather is slightly outside the legal limits, any airline pilot could still land safely. You can rely on the captain never to land when the weather is not legal, and legality limits are reached prior to safety limits. If you are still anxious, call me and we can talk it over. I'm at 877 332-7359 from 10 AM until 7 PM Eastern time. For effective help, even if you are flying in a day or two, sign up now at www.fearofflying.com/fasttrack and call me when you finish Clip 9 so I can make sure you are all set. |
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Using Weather Information If you enter your ZIP Code or City at the top of the weather presentation, it will give you weather for your area. Or, you can enter your destination ZIP Code or City.
Click on the "LOCAL RADAR" button to see whether or not there are thunder- Turbulence, though it may cause anxiety, does not mean anything is wrong. Turbulence does not mean danger. The plane can handle far more turbulence than Mother Nature can dish out. Though flying in turbulence is safe, it doesn't feel safe. And here is where the SOAR programs come in. We can help you feel as safe when you fly as you actually are. You can see these programs at www.fearofflying.com/store. |
