LANDING A PLANE
Find out how pilots get tonnes of metal down safely to the tarmac
Landing a plane is the most delicate part of a flight. It involves turning a flying craft into a ground vehicle, bringing hundreds of tonnes of mass to the ground without incident while shedding speed along the way. Aircraft will naturally fly: so long as they have sufficient fuel, their aerodynamics are designed to keep them moving. To change this, pilots not only have to reduce engine power, they also must slowly adopt a ‘dirty configuration’, using aerodynamic drag to reduce speed.
The landing procedure begins miles away from the airport. During this time, many changes in altitude, speed, direction and overall aircraft set-up must be completed. This is mainly conducted in dedicated ‘step down airspace’, defined by air-traffic control. Passengers are told the landing procedure is due to commence, and are instructed to return to their seats and fasten their seat belts. This is a legal requirement.
At night the cabin lights are dimmed before the landing procedure commences, and window blinds are raised. This is so that in an incident, passengers will be less disorientated. Dimming the lights reduces glare and means eyes will already be adjusted to dim conditions. It will also let some light into the cabin and allow passengers to spot dangers.
Landing is a two-stage process: the approach to landing and landing itself – which will only be successful if the approach is good. During the approach phase, pilots slow the plane from cruising speed to an approach speed, from which they can descend gently to a landing speed. Pilots allow the plane to contact the ground with the lowest possible vertical and horizontal speed.