AboutPaul Ruderham Expertise I have been studying aviation for over twenty years. I know about the function of airlines, how aeroplanes fly, aviation accidents and why they happen. I am also an accomplished model aeroplane pilot, and a flight simulator expert. I have flown chipmunks and light aircraft.
Experience Hands on experience working at the airport, plus many hours of studying airlines and different types of aeroplanes.
Question Dear Paul,
My wife and I are going to be flying sometime next week on a Southwest flight. I just have a few questions I need to ask you,because of my fear of flying. My first question is, can a pilot detect a malfunction in the engine(s)due to overheating, etc. before or during a flight ?
Is there a computer sensor that tells a pilot that there is a problem with the engine, before a major problem arises? And my last question is, How reliable are the mechanical devices on a plane, such as the wing flaps in particular. Has it ever happen to where the flaps got stuck before landing? And if this were to happen could the plane still land?
Thank you for taking your time to read this.
regards, ken (the fearful flyer)
Answer dear ken sorry about the first reply my laptop sometimes has a mind of its own.
the engines on planes are so reliable that twin engined operations are allowed within three hours of the nearest airport. rolls royce especially have the best reliabiliy.
i was on a flight to florida in 1997 over the atlantic and was chatting to the captain. he told me that in over twenty years of flying he had never lost an engine.
the cockpit is equipped with liquid crystal displays which tell the captain everything about the engines. fan speed, temperature, fuel flow, etc so dont worry.
the flaps are lowered on approach to landing in stages to allow the aircraft to land slowly. if they fail to lower the aircraft will land quite safely but faster than normal.
the pilots train for this every six months.
so enjoy your flight and dont worry. just remember if you were to fly every day for a 100 years chances are that you would never be involved in an accident.
