Listening to the live radio communications on a flight was eye opening. Turbulence aside, I can usually feel when the plane is moving to a new altitude (either up or down), and while I always assumed it was planned, being able to hear the process of the pilot asking for clearance to move, getting clearance, and then feeling the plane rise or fall took all of the fear out of it.
Listening to the radios is an eye opening experience. There was a case in NYC recently where one pilot was given clearance for takeoff and right after three different planes were given permission to cross the same runway, forcing the pilot to abort the takeoff. Pretty wild stuff
I had a somewhat similar experience. I had a long-haul flight on Singapore, and the entertainment system had a bunch of videos on the basics of the aircraft and how it flies. This included a few videos on what causes turbulence, how the plane and pilots handle it, and how it’s not particularly dangerous. Now instead of just telling myself that the odds are in our favor when I’m on a turbulent flight, I can think back to the concepts in those videos and rationalize to myself what’s happening and why it’ll be fine. Understanding what you’re experiencing is really helpful.
I love hearing ATC radio. I think the guy who did the classic SR71 story about upstaging everyone on some California flyby noted this pretty well - even in the times of near peril pilots and ATC will be the cool-as-steel that keep everyone calm.
It got me over my fear of flying because I got to learn what the pilots (and the Center) thought about the turbulence we were experiencing and how they were responding to it.
It also inspired me to write the original version of this Wikipedia article
I haven't forgotten. I was on a DC-10 on my first flight to California from the east coast, in the mid-1970s.
One audio channel included pilot-to-tower communication, a thrill for me since that was a relatively new thing.
Shortly after takeoff, I heard a loud bang. The pilot said, "We've lost an engine. We've got to go back." The tower asked, "Do you want 'equipment'?" Pilot: "No. That would just make them nervous. But have it ready."
I find listening to ATC communications similarly soothing, even when it is regarding accidents or problems. The poise and professionalism of ATC is pretty astounding.
There's lots of youtube videos of actual landings from the cockpit view even. I like to watch them and when flying I like listening to the radio chatter also if available.
I listened to the audio book of “The Only Plane in the Sky” (do recommend), and they played real recordings of ATCs on 9/11 as the planes were hitting buildings.
It was surreal listening to them talk about the catastrophe but all while maintaining a total sense of calm.
Thank you for the details from a Pilot's point of view. I was watching this flight play out live and it was certainly a nail biter. I couldn't believe they were going to land let alone take off.
ATC communication is fascinating to me. I go down the Youtube rabbit hole a few times a month.
A few things that always stand out to me...
- the calm demeanor shown by both ATC and pilots. Even in situations that make me cringe sitting at my laptop, everybody involved is steady. I know it's their job, but it still amazes me.
- the complexity of airport operations at a major international is mind-boggling. Hand-offs from ground to tower to departure... and then back again if something goes wrong. And doing that for dozens of planes at a time. Some crewed by pilots with thick accents or static-y radios.
- that air travel is the safest form of transit given the complexity of engineering and human processes involved is truly astounding. I know today's successes are the result of all previous tragedies; it's still something else.
I live under the main international approach to IAD. Watching the heavies fly in makes me smile. Especially the A380. It's a shame the A380 didn't find a long-term market - looking up, it shouldn't be able to fly, but there it is.
I suspect there is a little more to the story. On the LiveATC audio, he was giving descent rates and asking tower/approach for headings. Didn't speak like a pilot but seemed to know more than a layperson. Maybe some aviation exposure but no flight time? Whatever the case, very well done by both him and ATC.
I too have a certain fear or flying, even though I fly quite often.
One thing that has actually helped me (and from the comment field, helped a lot of other people too) is this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MentourPilot
Not only is it great content, but the way Peter breaks down accidents and goes through all the safety barriers modern airplanes actually have, it has over time lowered my fear of flying.
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