How to Land a Plane (If the Pilot Dies)
Ok, you are on a flight, and suddenly, the pilot becomes incapacitated, dies, or is sucked out of the plane. Obviously, you want to fake it until you make it—so it’s important to know how to take action. Here’s a brief guide on how to land a plane.
1. Stay Calm
Take a deep breath, this is your moment.
2. Communicate
Use the radio to speak to air traffic control. Just say, “Mayday, mayday, mayday.” Ask someone from the flight crew what the flight number is and how many souls are on board. The control tower will guide you through the process of getting down from the sky. (odd fact: "Mayday" is from the French, "m'aidez" which means "help me." But do not share this fact aloud. You want to win friends and influence people, if only for a brief and spectacular moment)
3. Understand the Controls
Look for the control column or yoke in front of you. In an Airbus, they have big joysticks on either side of the cockpit. Pull back gently to lift the nose of the plane and push forward to lower it. And locate the engine throttles, the large toaster-shaped panel between the yokes. Don't touch them until ATC tells you to. They may be governed by the auto-pilot. But don't fret about that.
4. Monitor Your Speed
Keep an eye on the airspeed indicator. If the plane slows too much, it could stall, and your heroic moment would be gone in a brief flash of jet fuel. All anyone would know was that you were last known to be at the controls. A steady speed is usually around 150 knots, but listen to air traffic control for specifics.
5. Prepare for Landing
As you approach the runway, lower the landing gear. Most planes have a lever or switch for this. Follow the instructions from air traffic control for the proper altitude and alignment with the runway.
6. Flare and Touchdown
Just before landing, gently pull back on the yoke to raise the nose slightly. This is called "flaring" and helps soften the landing. Aim for a smooth touchdown and let the aircraft roll to a stop.
Any landing you walk away from, is a good landing—pilot wisdom
You can evacuate everyone else, then emerge to the sound of clapping and shutter speeds. The crowd goes wild.