AboutNed Dolan Expertise 38 years as a professional pilot. Worked as an instructor for a major airline, as a tow pilot towing gliders and flew international routes until 1998. Do not know much about the maintenance end of the business.
Experience Teaching new Captains the skills and knowledge needed to
occupy the position.
Helping develop procedures for use in a new airplane
type. (B757)
I'm going to be flying next week on a Southwest plane, and I'm scared. Maybe you can ease my mind. My questions is what if the landing gear were to get stuck, could the plane still land safely? Is there a back up switch l for the landing gear just in case one gets stuck? My final question is if a plane is in flight and one of the engines were overheating or malfunctioning , does a computer signal alert the pilot before it actually happens. Thanks, Kelly
Answer Dear Kelly,
The landing gear on the B737, which is all Southwest uses, is held up in flight by a kind of pin or bolt. To lower the gear the pilots move a handle which releases the pin and then the hydraulic power pushes the gear down. If the hydraulic power fails the gear will fall down through gravity, although a little slower. In additon there is a back up hydraulic system. If all of the above fails and the plane lands with the gear retracted it is a relatively minor problem from a safety standpoint. The plane lands on it belly and makes quite a bit of noise, but does not cause any great damage. It has happened, but very, very rarely.
And yes, the engines are monitored in hundreds of places and the information is sent to computers in the cockpit which can warn of impending problems. The most critical information is always available on the instrument panel for the pilots.
Try to get a window seat, relax and take in the wonderful views from above. I'm sure you will love it. Ned
