SafeSkies Blog
What you wonder about flying, in plain and calm words. Knowing makes the feeling smaller.
SafeSkies
Fear of flying and staying calm
How to get over fear of flyingFear of flying is very common and something you can work on. Steps that help before you fly, at the airport and on…Breathing through a panic momentWhat to do when your heart races on a plane: the breathe-in-4, out-6 technique, the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise and small steps…
Turbulence and weather
Is turbulence dangerous?Why turbulence happens, how aircraft and crews are prepared for it, and what to do when it gets bumpy. A calm, plain…How to read a turbulence forecastWhere turbulence forecasts come from, what light and moderate mean, and how to see the turbulence on your own route…Flying in the rainHow do planes take off and land in the rain? Wet runways, droplets on the window, and what you feel passing through…How do planes land in fog?How do pilots land when they can't see the runway? The ILS, automatic landing, and why foggy days bring…Flying through cloudsWhy are there light bumps when entering a cloud layer? Cloud types, what you see from the window, and what changes…What do planes do in thunderstorms?What do pilots do around thunderstorms? Weather radar, flying around storm clouds, and short waits for takeoff and…What happens if lightning hits a plane?How are airliners designed for lightning? Electricity flowing along the skin, testing, and the checks done after the…Why do planes get sprayed in winter?What is the fluid sprayed on the aircraft before takeoff in snowy weather? De-icing, anti-icing, and why winter…Landing in strong windWhy does an aircraft approach the runway at an angle in a side wind? Crosswind landings, the bumps you feel, and how…What is the jet stream?How do fast wind bands at altitude affect flights? The jet stream's effect on flight time, and why there can be light…What is clear-air turbulence?Bumps felt in a clear sky are called clear-air turbulence. Its causes, how it's forecast, and why the seatbelt…Which season and time of day has less turbulence?Why are morning flights usually calmer? Summer afternoons, winter jet streams, and what to know when choosing a flight…
How planes fly
Sounds you hear on a planeThe thunk after takeoff, the engines getting quieter, the whine from the wing, the ding... Learn what the sounds on a…How do planes stay in the air?How does an aircraft weighing tons fly? Wing lift, engine thrust and the balance of four forces, in plain…Why do plane wings flex?Seeing the wing move up and down from your window can be unsettling. Why are wings designed to flex, and what does the…How does a jet engine work?How do aircraft engines push air? The four steps of a turbofan, what engine sounds mean, and twin-engine aircraft, in…What is autopilot, and who flies the plane?Does autopilot fly the plane on its own? What autopilot does, the pilots' role, and which parts of a flight are flown…How are pilots trained? Who's in the cockpitHow does someone become an airline pilot, and how often do they train in the simulator? The captain and first officer's…What do cabin crew do?What is the cabin crew's real job in flight, what training do they have, and how can you ask them for help when you're…How is aircraft maintenance done?How often are aircraft checked? The walk-around before every flight, daily and periodic maintenance, and the pilots'…What is cabin pressure? Why your ears popHow is the cabin pressurised, why do your ears pop and how do you clear them? What to know about cabin air and…How high do planes fly?Airliners usually cruise at 10–12 km. Why so high, how is the altitude chosen, and why does it change during the…How fast do planes fly?Airliners cruise at roughly 800–900 km/h. Takeoff and landing speeds, the effect of wind, and why the same route can…A320 and Boeing 737: the planes you fly mostThe Airbus A320/A321 and Boeing 737 families fly most domestic and short international routes. How they differ, what…What happens during takeoff?The acceleration, the nose lifting, the thunk and the engines getting quieter. Every step of takeoff and what it…What happens during landing?The descent, ears popping, flaps, the landing gear sound, touchdown and reverse thrust. Every step of landing and what…What is a go-around?When an aircraft close to landing powers up and climbs away, that's a go-around. Why it's done, how it feels, and why…What is holding? Why planes circleAn aircraft flying circles before landing is in a holding pattern. Why it happens, how long it lasts and how fuel is…Wide-body aircraft: A330, A350, 777, 787The twin-aisle aircraft used on long-haul flights. How the A330, A350, Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner differ and what it…What does an aircraft's age mean?Does seeing that your aircraft is 15 years old make you wonder? What aircraft age means, maintenance programmes and the…
Travel tips
First time flyingYour first flight? Ticket, airport, security, boarding, takeoff and landing: a calm, step-by-step guide for first-time…Why are flights delayed?Why was your flight delayed? A late inbound aircraft, weather, air traffic and technical checks. And how to see a delay…Why switch to airplane mode?Why do you need airplane mode on a plane? The reason for the rule, using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in airplane mode, and…Why wear a seatbelt on a plane?Why does the seatbelt sign come on, and should you keep your belt on when it's off? The seatbelt's role on a plane and…Cabin lights and “ding” soundsThe seatbelt sign, single and double chimes, dimmed cabin lights and floor lights. What the signs and sounds on a plane…What is a flight number and how do you read it?What does TK1981 or PC2012 on your ticket mean? Airline codes, flight numbers, and how to follow your flight with its…
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