Pilots have a unique viewpoint while flying private or commercial aircraft. They get an unobstructed view of stunning natural sights, such as pink lakes and rectangular-shaped icebergs. Some have reported seeing UFOs, while others have flown over swirling hurricanes.
The answer is quite simple, no, they don't actually see anything at night. Before takeoff, pilots scan the sky to avoid hazards and prevent compromising the entire flight.
This really depends on the type of aircraft and the seating position of the pilot. In smaller aircraft, you will have a good view of the area around you, depending on the canopy. In larger aircraft, the instrument panel and cockpit design can restrict your outside view a bit more.
Within the aircraft's cockpit is an instrument known as the ADF or the automatic direction finder. The ADF shows where the aircraft is located in relation to the beacon. Using this information, the pilot directs the airplane to the source of the signal.
A preflight check includes an exterior walkaround and visual inspection of critical parts of the airplane, such as sensors, probes, structural components, and exposed motors and cables (such as those for the landing gear).
To the rescue
Another reason is that the cabin crew want to be able to see out during take-off and landing. If something goes wrong, then they can see if there is a problem with the engines or wings. And if the aircraft needs to be evacuated, you can see which side is safe to disembark from.
There's little question that today's avionics offer more capability and utility than ever before. But many of their advanced functions are only advisory in nature: Pilots still must look out the window to verify what they're telling us.
The aviation radio band is a party line. It's frequencies are wide open and anybody can listen in. Not only can all other pilots on the frequency hear someone lose their cool, people on the ground with radio scanners hear it too.
When there are more than two pilots, one is generally allowed to get some rest. They can also browse through magazines or read some books or flight-related material, but mostly stay alert and available. Some will study for an upcoming proficiency or rating. One of the two pilots can go to the bathroom too.
Managing fatigue is a challenge, particularly when flying overnight (red-eye) flights. Some countries allow pilots to take controlled naps to improve alertness during the landing. So far, the U.S. has not allowed this fatigue mitigation. Pilots keep flight deck lights up, and engage in conversation to help keep alert.
Answer: Yes, pilots know what every button and switch does. The school to learn the specifics of an airplane is very intense, requiring great concentration for several weeks. Following the ground school, simulator sessions train pilots in the procedures necessary to fly the airplane.
Everything you ever wanted to know and more about the plane cockpits. Question: In the cockpit are all those buttons and knobs really used or necessary to fly the plane? Answer: Yes, the buttons and knobs are used to control the airplane in normal flight or when there is a problem with a system.
How do flight crew normally open a cockpit door? Since the incidents in 911, pilots and flight attendants no longer have keys to open the cockpit door, which remains locked during flight. Access is granted via a keypad found outside the cockpit door.
One important issue was how to ensure that the co-pilot didn't also accidentally fall asleep. This has been a real concern for many years in aviation, with some studies reporting that as much as 50% of pilots accidentally fall asleep during flights.
Resting in the cockpit
On shorter flights, US regulations expect both pilots to remain alert for the entire length of the flight, without any chance for rest during the flight. Some countries, including Canada and Australia, allow for pilots to nap in the cockpit.
Depending on the aviation rules a pilot is flying under they will use their eyesight to 'See & Avoid' other aircraft when flying under Visual Flight Rules, or when flying under Instrument Flight Rules they will be guided by an air traffic controller to ensure traffic separation when unable to see.
Pilots are trained to handle all sorts of nerve-racking situations, but that doesn't mean that they don't get scared—especially in these real instances, told by the pilots who experienced them, of serious in-flight fear.
A: People who are prone to getting nervous usually do not make it through flight training. Pilots are extensively trained and this training provides the confidence to fly in adverse conditions. The training and confidence overcome any nervousness. I would say a nervous pilot is a rarity.
These surveys revealed that well over 50% of the surveyed pilots experience fatigue as impairing their ability to perform well while on flight duty.
Pre-flight Announcement
We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off.
In a recent Quora thread, someone asked the question, What do airline pilots think of passengers who applaud after a landing? Multiple pilots stepped up to answer the question, but the response was unanimous, while you may have the best of intentions - don't do it.
If you're WONDERing about how pilots handle sonic booms, they actually don't hear them. They can see the pressure waves around the plane, but people on board the airplane can't hear the sonic boom. Like the wake of a ship, the boom carpet unrolls behind the airplane.
Night flying restrictions or night-time curfews, including night flight bans, are any regulations or legislation imposed by a governing body to limit the ground-perceived exposure to aircraft noise pollution during the night hours, when the majority of residents are trying to sleep.
These tiny holes, also called breather holes, serve as a safety function, by making sure that the outer pane bears all the air pressure (the pressure inside the cabin is much higher than outside). This also ensures that in case the pressure difference becomes high enough, it is the outer pane that breaks off first.
The simple answer is yes, pilots do, and are allowed to sleep during flight but there are strict rules controlling this practice. Pilots would only normally sleep on long haul flights, although sleep on short haul flights is permitted to avoid the effects of fatigue.