Have you ever wondered what to do if the pilot is unconscious? If no one else is able to fly the plane, your safety may depend on your ability to make some important decisions. Your landing will likely be led by someone over the radio, but the overview in this article will help you anticipate a few things. While these scenarios occur frequently in movies and television shows, there is never really an untrained person who has to land a large plane in the "real world." However, with a little basic skills and guidance from an ATC (Air Traffic Controller) officer, you might be able to do it.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Precautions
Step 1. Sit down
The captain usually sits in the left seat, i.e. at the center of the instrument (especially on single-engine airplanes). Fasten seat belts and shoulder restraints if available. However, almost all planes have dual controls and you can land them successfully from both sides. Don't touch the controls this time!
Possibly, autopilot mode is being turned on. Leave it on for now.
Make sure the unconscious pilot is not leaning on the control lever (this is the part of the plane that acts like the steering wheel on a car). Some airplanes may have side sticks – it's a joystick to the left of the captain's seat
Step 2. Inhale
You may be anxious about sensory overload and the seriousness of the situation. Remembering to inhale will help you focus. Take deep, slow breaths to remind your body that you are in control.
Step 3. Flatten the plane
When the plane is ascending, descending, or turning, reposition it so that it is level using the outside horizon line as a guide. Finally, your playing time will be worth it!
- Look for the attitude indicator section. This section is sometimes referred to as an artificial horizon, which includes a set of miniature "wings" and an image of the horizon. The top is blue (to represent the sky) and the bottom is brown. On some complex aircraft, this indicator is displayed on a computer screen in front of the pilot. On older aircraft, this section is in the middle of the top row of instruments. Modern planes will have a Primary Flight Display (PFD) component right in front of your seat. It displays vital information, such as Indicated Airspeed (IAS) measured in knots, Ground Speed (GS), also in knots, altitude (in feet/meters), and heading. The PFD will also indicate whether autopilot mode is on, usually via an AP or CMD code.
- Adjust the pitch (level of ascent or descent) and bank (level of aircraft turn) as needed, so that the miniature wing is level with the artificial horizon. When they're aligned, don't touch the controls at all; proceed to the next step. However, if you need to align the plane, adjust the flight attitude by pulling the lever (or stick) toward you to raise the nose of the plane, or pushing it forward to lower the nose. You can adjust the bank by turning the lever in the desired direction. You also have to apply a little pressure on the rear simultaneously so that the plane does not lose altitude.
Step 4. Turn on the autopilot function
If you are trying to correct the plane's flight path, this mode may be inactive. Turn it on by pressing the buttons labeled "AUTOPILOT" or "AUTO FLIGHT", "AFS", or "AP", or something similar. Passenger planes typically place these buttons in the center of the light guard panel, in a position that allows both pilots to reach them. In most flights in the hover stage, the autopilot mode is usually on.
Only if this causes the aircraft to do things you don't want it to, turn off autopilot mode again by pressing all the buttons in the yoke/button panel (which may include the autopilot deactivation button). The best way to fly an airplane stably is usually not to touch the control panel; the plane was designed to be stable, and only most people who were not trained pilots tried to exert excessive control over the plane
Part 2 of 2: Landing Procedure
Step 1. Ask for help using the radio
Look for the hand microphone, which is usually to the left of the pilot's seat, just below the side window, and use it like a CB radio. Look for this microphone or take the pilot's headset, press and hold the button, and repeat the word "Mayday" three times and briefly describe the emergency (eg pilot is unconscious, etc.). Make sure you remember to release the button so you can hear the response. An ATC officer will help you fly the plane to land it safely. Listen to his prompts and answer his questions as best you can so he can help as much as possible.
- As an alternative, you can grab the pilot's headset and press the push-to-talk (PTT) button, which is located on the yoke. However, the autopilot button is also here, and if you press it accidentally, you can mess up the function. Prioritize hand radio.
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Try asking for help on your current frequency. This frequency is the one the pilot uses to communicate with someone just moments before. Use the words "May-Day, May-Day" at the beginning of your call. If this attempt fails after several attempts and if you know how to change the radio frequency for sure, ask for help on the 121, 50 MHz frequency.
If you see a red light on the panel, notify the ATC officer. Under this light there will be a description, for example Generator, Low Voltage. This situation requires immediate attention
- If you can find a Transponder in the radio stack (it has four windows with numbers from 0-7, usually at the bottom of the stack), set the number to 7700. This is an emergency code that will immediately alert the ATC officer that you are in an emergency. danger.
Step 2. Use the flight code/call sign when you talk to the officer
This code is located in the panel (unfortunately, its position is not standard, although it will always be in the panel). Call signs for aircraft registered in the United States begin with the letter "N" (eg "N12345"). "N" can be misunderstood as another letter in radio conversation, so say "November." The plane code will help with the identification process, so the ATC officer has important information about the plane so he can better help you land it.
If you board a commercial aircraft (airplane operated by an airline company, e.g. Garuda Indonesia, Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, etc.), this aircraft will not be called by its "N" number. However, it has its own call sign or flight number. Sometimes the pilot will paste a note on the panel as a reminder. Ask the flight attendant for this flight number. When you use the radio, say the name of the airline first, then say the flight number. If this number is 123 and you fly Garuda Indonesia, your call sign is "GA 1-2-3". Don't read the numbers normally, so you shouldn't say "Golf Alpha one hundred-twenty-three."
Step 3. Maintain a safe speed
Look for the airspeed indicator (which is usually labeled ASI, Airspeed, or Knot). These instructions are usually located at the top left of the instrument panel. Watch your speed. Speed is measured in MPH or know units (the values are almost the same). Do not fly a small 2-seater aircraft below 70 knots. Do not fly large (jumbo) aircraft below 180 knots. Most importantly, keep the speed hand in the "green" zone for normal flight, until you can call someone on the radio for help.
If the plane accelerates and you haven't hit the gas, you may fall, so slowly pull the control lever. When the speed decreases, point the nose of the plane down to increase its speed. Don't let the plane fly too slowly, especially when it's close to the ground. This can cause the plane to stop (because the wings are no longer able to lift the fuselage)
Step 4. Begin the descent process
The ATC officer you speak to will provide instructions on landing procedures and direct the aircraft to a safe location. He may try to get the plane to the runway at the airport, but under certain circumstances, you may have to land on a field or road. If this happens and you can't reach the airport, avoid locations with power lines, lots of trees, or other obstructions.
- To start lowering the plane's altitude, pull the lever (to reduce the force) until you hear the sound of the engine changing – then stop. The throttle lever is almost always located between the Captain's and First Officer's/pilot's and copilot's seats. Otherwise, this lever may be in the center of the ceiling, close to the windshield. There are no definite rules about its location, but usually this lever is at a distance of no more than 0.6 cm from the gas. Maintain speed on the green area. The nose of the plane will begin to descend on its own without you needing to push the lever.
- If you keep pulling or pushing the lever to balance the plane, you'll need to use the trim every now and then to relieve the pressure. Otherwise, you may get exhausted and distracted. A trim wheel is a wheel that is approximately 15-20 cm in diameter and rotates in the same direction as the gear of the landing gear. The location is usually near both knees. These wheels have small bumps on the edges and are black. When you press the lever, turn this wheel slowly. As you press the lever more firmly, turn it until you no longer have to maintain the level of pressure. Note: for small aircraft, these wheels can sometimes be found in the headliner in the form of a crank. Additionally, some larger aircraft may have it in the form of a switch on the steering stick. Its location is usually on the left, close to the ceiling of the plane. When the plane pushes the steering lever toward you, press down. When the lever moves away, press up.
Step 5. Prepare to land
You'll use various drag gear (slats and flaps, next to the gas) to slow the plane down without losing lift. Lower the landing gear if possible. If this tooth can't move, it means it's down and you don't need to do anything. The gear grip (the end is shaped like a tire) is usually just to the right of the center console, above the copilot's knee. However, when you have to land in the water, keep this gear on top.
- There is a GPWS system or (EGPWS on Airbus) on most large commercial aircraft. The system will tell you a certain altitude (usually 2500, 1000, 500-100, 50-5). The system will also inform "Approaching Minimums" and "Minimums". "Approaching Minimums" means you are at an altitude of 100 feet close to "Minimums", depending on what landing you choose. When you hear the "Minimums" information, you should check that the runway and/or approach lights are visible. If not, you must run TO/GA mode and execute a missed approach. (If you can't find the TO/GA button, just press the throttle all the way down.)
- Be sure to activate the autobrake and spoiler if possible. Look for the autobrake knob, which can be positioned differently on each plane. Spoilers allow you to land the plane steadily while reducing the chances of the plane being airborne during flares.
- Beware of cross winds. If there is a crosswind, you must fight it in the crab position. In this position, the nose of the aircraft is directed toward the direction of the wind. Generally, you should experiment with the position of the crab until you get the perfect angle to land. Use the rudder pedal if necessary.
- Before landing, lift your nose up and land on the main wheels of the plane first. This flared state is usually 6-7 degrees for small aircraft. On some larger aircraft, the flares may show a 15 degree tilt.
- Flares at 5-10 feet on small aviation aircraft. On narrow body aircraft, flare at an altitude of 10-15 feet. Meanwhile, for wide-body aircraft such as the 777 or A380, you should start the flare process at an altitude of no less than 20 feet. If it is too high, the plane will float down the runway. As a result, the plane needs a longer runway and sometimes causes it to land hard because it slows down while floating. You MUST slow down the throttle (make it idle) just before the flare.
- When flying a large commercial aircraft, activate the reversing lever if the aircraft has one. On Boeing planes, there are masts behind the gas quadrant. Pull all these masts back all the way and the gas will point forward to help the plane come to a stop. If all else fails, pull the throttle back as fast and as far as you can.
- Reduce power to idle level by pulling the gas all the way back, until you reach the mark labeled idle. The lever is usually black and is located between the pilot and the co-pilot.
- Brake slowly by pressing the rudder pedal on it. Use enough power to stop the plane without skidding. This pedal itself is used to steer the plane on the ground, so do not use it unless the plane is off the runway.
Step 6. Save yourself
After you help the unconscious pilot, now you can pass out. Please, you have the right to do so. If you're still able to stand up straight to watch another plane, or even climb back up, you probably have the "right mentality" and should consider taking flying lessons from a certified instructor. However, you can also not do it. You could just write a book about this experience.
Tips
- Adjust all the controllers slowly and wait for the changes. Sudden or rapid changes can cause the aircraft to get out of control.
- There are no easy general rules about using a yoke and its compression. The important thing is that you are careful. However, this means that you also have to move it cleverly when needed. In general, just make sure you let the fighter pilot handle the fighter if there's a problem.
- Consider purchasing software such as X-Plane, Microsoft Flight Simulator, or the standard Google Earth flight simulator.
- If you live in the US, visit the Air Safety Foundation's Pinch Hitter field for information on what to do when your pilot is unconscious. This information was developed by professionals in the field of aviation security.
- Look for pilots who have X-Plane or Microsoft Flight Simulator. Ask him to arrange it so that it resembles the plane you will be flying in and is in a straight and level mode. Then, sit down and try to land the plane.
- Ask the cabin crew for help. If there is someone more experienced, let him be the pilot. Check the actual condition of the pilot. Provide first aid if possible. Make sure you stay calm.
- Never try to change the plane's direction of flight too suddenly, this can cause it to hold more power (G). Most people are also unable to hold it and will immediately faint, so this is dangerous for all passengers on the plane.
- If you can't find the airport, it's better to land in the water near land than directly on land. The plane won't sink for a few minutes, so everyone has time to get out.
Warning
- This article is only useful for emergency situations. Don't rely on it for recreational flights; look for a certified flight instructor.
- While all of the suggestions above are very useful (and may seem overly confusing), the most important thing is that you remember to "fly the plane". Even experienced pilots are often so focused on one or two things when dealing with an emergency – either speeding the plane or finding a landing point, or using the radio/whatever, that they forget to fly the plane and it can be fatal. Keep the plane in the air. As long as he's in the air, you'll have plenty of time to complete other tasks.
- Pay attention to the choice of landing location. Larger aircraft require a longer landing distance. Also, make sure the location is free from distractions or has few obstacles (e.g. power lines, buildings, trees, etc.).
