Random questions you’ve always wanted to ask your pilot

Illustration: La Boca

Why do the window blinds have to be open for take-off and landing?

For many years in the UK, some airlines allowed passengers to keep their window blinds closed during take-off and landing, while others required them to be open. British Airways is in the latter group. But why?

Several investigations over the years have found that keeping window blinds open during take-off and landing contributes to flight safety. In the unlikely event of a problem, it’s crucial to be able to see what’s happening outside. Open blinds give both crew and passengers a clear view of what is outside, helping everyone make safer decisions.

What’s the ‘sawing wood’ noise after an aircraft touches down?

I’m guessing you’re referring to the sound of reverse thrust – that loud, roaring noise you hear shortly after landing. But what exactly is reverse thrust? If you’re seated near the engine, you might see part of the engine’s outer casing shift during landing. That’s the thrust reverser, which temporarily redirects airflow forward instead of backward, helping to slow the aircraft down.

There are several settings we can use: reverse idle (quieter and more fuel-efficient) and full reverse (much louder, but more effective). Full reverse is typically only used when necessary – such as on shorter runways or in wet conditions.

(For more ‘What’s that noise?’ questions answered, see pilot Al’s previous column)

What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about pilots?

Haha! There are quite a few… But one of the most common misconceptions is that you must be a super-duper, clever whizz kid and get A* exam results to be a pilot. That simply isn’t true.

Yes, a certain level of aptitude is required, and most flight schools do expect you to have at least a grade 4 or above in Maths, English and a Science subject (preferably Physics) at GCSE level. But you don’t have to be a top-of-the-class prodigy. Determination, discipline and a passion for aviation are far more important – plus having a great personality, of course(!).

Do Captains and First Officers have to eat different meals to avoid food poisoning?

This takes me back to my childhood watching the 1980s classic Airplane! You know the one where everyone eats the fish and gets food poisoning. If you haven’t seen it, it’s very funny (if you’re into daft movies from the 1980s).

We’re allowed to choose the same meal if we wish. That said, we’re offered a great selection of meals, so it’s actually quite rare for us to choose the same dish. I always order the Asian vegetarian meal. The curries out of London are absolutely fantastic.

Have you ever seen any cool phenomena from the flight deck?

I get asked this question quite often. The truth is, most days I sit on the flight deck, look out of the window, and think, “That really is very cool.” We’re incredibly lucky to witness such a variety of natural phenomena, from the aurora borealis (I’m hoping to see more of it this coming winter) to St Elmo’s Fire, when static electricity dances across the windscreen.  

Just a few weeks ago, I was flying back from Delhi. We were rotating our breaks between the three pilots as we crossed over Baku. When one of my colleagues returned to the flight deck, she pointed out a satellite above us. Then another appeared, and another. Before long, the sky was littered with them, moving in all directions – it was an extraordinary sight, something I’d never experienced before. At first, I thought it was a shooting star, except this one didn’t just disappear.  

It’s incredible to think that those tiny moving lights above us have completely changed the way we live.

Got an aviation question you’d like to ask pilot Al? Email theclub@cedarcom.co.uk and we’ll try to answer it in a future column