Why do planes turn after takeoff?

During takeoff, air accelerated behind the prop (known as the slipstream) follows a corkscrew pattern. As it wraps itself around the fuselage of your plane, it hits the left side of your aircraft's tail, creating a yawing motion, and making the aircraft yaw left.

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Why do planes turn around before landing?

Circling. Generally, planes will circle above airports for the same reasons planes sometimes need to perform go-arounds. This could be anything from weather to an incident on the runway. Pilots have to weigh their options between circling for a little while or turning back to land at a different airport.

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Why do planes tilt when taking off?

During takeoff you may hear a clunk when the plane's nose tilts up and you lift off. That's the landing gear shock absorber extending to its limit. The plane is designed to allow for a steep lift off. You may worry the tail will drag on the runway.

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What is the sinking feeling after takeoff?

Answer: The sensation of slowing down is really one of slowing the rate of acceleration; this is due to reducing the thrust after takeoff to the climb setting. The sensation of “dropping” comes from the retraction of the flaps and slats. The rate of climb is reduced, causing it to feel like a descent.

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Can a plane take off without rotating?

The main way for any conventional airplane to take-off (and land) without rotating in pitch is by making the angle of incidence of the wings (approximately the fixed angle with which the wing attaches to the fuselage) equal to the take-of angle of attack with the aircraft parked on the ground.

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Why do the aircraft engines "stop" accelerating during takeoff?

27 related questions found

How fast does a plane go before takeoff?

Typical takeoff air speeds for jetliners are in the range of 240–285 km/h (130–154 kn; 149–177 mph). Light aircraft, such as a Cessna 150, take off at around 100 km/h (54 kn; 62 mph). Ultralights have even lower takeoff speeds.

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Can a plane land just after take off?

In almost every case, any commercial plane flying is technically able to land even at close to its maximum takeoff weight. It will, however, likely put excess strain on the landing gear and other structures, so it's best avoided unless there's simply no other option.

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What's worse takeoff or landing?

A study released by the Boeing Company in 2019 stated that both takeoff and landing are statistically the most dangerous parts of a flight: 49% of all fatal accidents happen during the final descent and landing phases, while 14% during takeoff and initial climb.

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Why does my stomach feel weird during takeoff?

On long-haul flights, changes in cabin pressure during take-off and landing can lead to health problems. Air pressure in the cabin is lower than at sea level. As cabin pressure falls while flying, gas starts to expand. As a result, you may feel pressure in your stomach or digestive system.

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Why do we not feel the speed of a plane?

You've unbuckled your seatbelt to go on a walk down the aisle, but you can't feel the movement of the plane. The reason is simple: you, the plane, and everything else inside it is travelling at the same speed. In order to perceive the movement of the plane, you have to glance at the clouds outside.

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Why should you not clap when a plane lands?

"If the flight was particularly perilous, you could consider it. But then again the pilots won't hear you as they are not only enclosed within the cockpit but are also still busy completing the landing."

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Why do pilots always sit on the left?

Historical reasons

According to Ask Captain Lim, this tendency came about due to the nature of early rotary-driven aircraft, such as fighter aircraft from the First World War. It was easier for these aircraft to turn left as this allowed them to follow the torque of their engines.

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Why can't you lean your seat back during takeoff?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) set the upright seat rule for two main reasons: it makes it easier to evacuate the plane in the case of an emergency and it can help limit injuries. It's a frightening fact, but most airplane accidents happen upon take-off or landing.

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Why do planes not fly straight across the ocean?

Rather than flying directly across the Pacific Ocean, most commercial flights take curved routes because they are actually shorter than shooting straight across a distance. This may sound counterintuitive, but since the Earth is spherical, a straight line is not necessarily the shortest distance between two points.

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Why do planes only fly east to west?

Airlines quickly realized the value of jet streams and began implementing them while planning routes. Since the jet streams flow from the west to east, they make one leg of the journey much faster (when flying with the stream) and one slower (against the stream). Imagine going downstream or upstream a river.

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Why do planes clap when landing?

There seems to be no clear reason as to when, where or why clapping when the aircraft lands stands. Online discussion suggest several possibilities - to celebrate the return home after a long journey, to congratulate the pilots and crew, or even as a celebration from fearful fliers that it's all over.

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Why do you weigh heavier after flying?

The Day After a Long Flight

Four or more hours on a plane can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances, leading to a small increase in your weight, says Jampolis.

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What is the fear of flight called?

Aerophobia is a fear of flying. It's very common, affecting more than 25 million adults in the U.S. Psychotherapy can usually help people overcome their fear and fly without extreme anxiety or panic attacks. Appointments 866.588.2264. Request an Appointment.

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How do I stay calm on takeoff?

5 useful tips for keeping calm during long flights
  1. Fight fear with knowledge: When it comes to a fear of flying, your anxiety is essentially tricking your body into thinking it's in immediate danger. ...
  2. Practice breathing exercises: ...
  3. Refocus your attention: ...
  4. Strike up a conversation: ...
  5. Drink lots of water:

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What month do most plane crashes occur?

August Ranks as the Deadliest Month for Air Crashes in 3 Years
  • WASHINGTON, Aug. ...
  • Commercial aviation in the United States has experienced a long period of safety since the Nov. ...
  • Disaster can strike even when an airline from the developed world is landing top-of-the-line equipment in a rich country -- as happened Aug.

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Where is the hardest place to land a plane?

Paro, Bhutan

Planes can only land during the day at Paro. Cantilevered 7,364 feet above sea level, Paro is Bhutan's only international airport -- yet few pilots are cleared to land there, so tricky is the approach.

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Can a plane fly with one wing?

Yes an aircraft can fly with one wing shorter. The winglets on a commercial airliner like the 747 or A330 can be missing on either side as per the minimum equipment list.

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Do planes get rid of fuel before landing?

Airplanes frequently depart the airport heavier than the maximum landing weight allowed – the threshold at which a given aircraft can sustain a very hard landing without damage. During a normal flight, the plan is to burn fuel so the plane's weight will below that number by the time it lands.

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Why do pilots make hard landings?

In these instances, the pilots want to put down the plane firmly. A firm landing allows for the ground spoilers to deploy more quickly, the wheels to spin up and the brakes to be applied. All of this helps with the braking action of the aircraft.

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