Does anyone know about aeroplanes?

Question

I'm petrified of flying, but have been convinced into flying with British Airways next saturday.
I'm in need of some reassurance that I'm not going to crash and die (I've got this weird/bad feeling, that I get sometimes - usually it turns out right)
Airplane wings dont just fall off right?!
Sorry its stupid.

Answer 1

Aircraft have back up systems, and back up systems for the back up systems. The wings and rest of the fuselage are structurally sound, and have been tested to extremes.

The aircrew are highly trained and can easily handle any problem.
Also, aircraft are checed over by technicians before and after every flight. It's a very detailed check, too. I should know, I've done them!

If you really are that worried, tell the air host/hostess as you board, and they will take extra care of you, I've got a good mate who hates flying, (despite being a qualified aircraft engineer!) and when she told the aircrew, the put her in the least turbulent spot in the aircraft and kept an eye on her.

Please remember, all turbulence, all the sounds and clunks you hear, and the sight of the wings flexing at all are all completely normal. Every thing's designed for that. There's nothing wrong.

And a final note, you've got a better chance of getting struck by lightning than being in an air disaster. Flying really is the safest form of travel!

Answer 2

The Airplane is and always will be the sahest way to travel. Thw wings will not just fall off. When they are parked on the ground there is more chance as the wings are designed to flex upwards not down, but the chances of that are 1 in about a millionmillion million etcetc. In fact it has never happened in the history of aviation. It is a proven fact that you are 1,000 times more likely to have a problem driving to the airport than you are on a plane.

I have been flying for about three years as crew and passengers and have never had a major problem.I have had about 2,500 flights so far. Trust me you will be fine. There is nothing to fear about flying. If you do feel a bit nervous then tell the crew and they will do everything to help you. Check out the links below aswell. Just remeber that every thing on an aircraft is checked and validated to make sure it works outside its maximum limit. Everything from the smallest nut and bolt right upto the captain and the cabin crew.

Have a great flight.

Answer 3

Aeroplane wings don't fall off ha ha. their is no logical reason why they would. An aeroplane is lifted due to the differential pressure between the top and bottom of the wings due to the shape. So taking this into consideration the wings are lifting the place where you sit. Thus the plane really relatively speaking don't weigh much when you thing of it been pushed up from the bottom of the plane due to the thrust and the pressure over the wings Rather than suspended. Planes are extremely safe just you here when something does go wrong. I read an article and it said that usually people who do survive plane crashes get on the plane and they know the brace position and use it. I'm an instrument technician and work very close to turbines (jet engines) and pressure etc. i can be more detailed if you want to e-mail me.

Answer 4

Airplanes are checked out daily before flying. I have flown hundreds of thousands of miles around the world and never a problem..If you feel uncomfortable as you state and you are planning on a long flight..I suggest you take a sleeping pill about an hour before flight time..you'll sleep through the entire flight..Please be advised take-offs and landings are usually the shakiest as far as airplane movement that you feel..once your up and leveled off it's like being in a car. You can do things to pass the time like read, crosswords, buy a DVD and watch a movie, some airlines have TV's on the back of the seat in front of you and you can watch/listen thru earphones, sleep, play cards with your friend. eat ha ha ha! British Airways is a very safe airlines and provide for good flights..Don't worry you will be ok and you will love it and want to do it again..My children have been flying all their life and they love it. Don't be afraid of the unkown sometimes it proves for a Super Fantastic experience. do you think for one minute that millions of people around the world that fly everyday would fly if they thought something was going to happen or that airplanes were unsafe..certainly not! I would suggest you not fly in small pipercub type planes that is scary. I suggest you not fly with third world airlines because I for one question their integrity/ability of mechanical skills to insure safety. But your big airlines like British Air, Air France etc etc no problem..Good Luck have fun and enjoy yourself..You'll be fine..

Answer 5

Relax! Statistically, you'd have to fly on a plane 1,324,012 times before one crashed. You're 2,303,200 times more likely to have an accident in a car. You're 870,678 times more likely to die falling out of the shower and breaking your neck.

Is that good enough? When you see the wings wobbling about, remember, they're designed to do that. They're like a cars suspension. They're design to flex and move.
And if you run out fuel or the engines stop, the plane will simply glide to the ground, it won't just fall out the sky. And it'll glide for about 30 miles, so no fear of having to land in a field. Pilots tend to be quite good at this flying thing in an emergency. That said, it's all computers anyway these days!

Answer 6

Your concern is not stupid. You just need some education. People fear flying for various reasons. You mentioned the fear that you could die before you want to and that perhaps the structure may not be sound. Statistically speaking, airline flying is extremely safe for quite a number of reasons. Governments have created agencies to ensure the safety of flight, especially for paying passengers. Aircraft are designed to withstand all sorts of extreme conditions. They must be maintained and flown to high standards.

One way to calm your fears is to tell yourself that flying is safe. If you are not convinced by statistics and the safeguards in place, then learn about aerodynamics.

Fear of the unknown, not being the one in control, fear of falling, fear of confinement can all contribute to uneasiness. I once met a woman who learned that I was a pilot and she got nervous. I asked her if she fell out of a tree when she was young. She said "yes! and I broke my arm!". Is there something that happened to you in the past that might cause your fear? Humans are intelligent enough to understand that an aspect of a traumatic experience should not convince you be overly cautious about unrelated activities. Look at other people around you. Most people are convinced that flying is quite safe.

Fear thoughts can manifest trouble. Fear is the opposite of love. If you thank god for love, fear will subside and so will trouble. You are here to experience. Why not experience flight? Enjoy the rest of the world.

Answer 7

Not stupid at all. Humans have not evolved to be natural fliers, therefore it's healthy to feel a little (or a lot) of intrepidation over flying in an aeroplane. It just ain't natural. However, millions of us do it every day and are perfectly safe. You could think of it more as a sight-seeing tour as you will be stunned by the amazing sights below you, even if it is just clouds.
Hope you have fun! I bet you'll get back and wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Answer 8

Wings don't just fall off. You see, alot of work goes into designing aircraft so that get you, the passenger, to your destination safely. All aircraft have to conform to very strict criteria set down by aviation authorities, the main criteria are set by the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority, American) and JAA (Joint Aviation Authority, European). All aircraft will satisfy both sets of Criteria when designed. Add to this that all aircraft are designed to withstand higher forces than those experienced in flight (Safety Factors) and you see that it is very safe.

On the maintenance side the airlines also have to adhere to strict criteria in this case the CAA (Civil Aviavtion Authority, UK) will be the body that ensures this is done (they are so picky they are known as the Campaign Against Aviation!). Without all of this te aircraft would not be allowed to fly.

So as you can see the aircaft are designed to be inherently safe and the maintenace is inspected by the CAA regularly to ensure that everything is done to a high standard.

I should know, I'm an Aerospace Engineer with a family link to Aviation, it's in my blood!

Answer 9

Here's 25 years of building commercial airliners speaking:
The commercial aerospace industry is probably the most regulated industry on the planet.
Everything has been tested on "TEST MODELS" (full size mock-ups, made from the actual parts) and stressed to see what it takes to break them, before the actual aircraft is put into production.
Engineering standards are for each part to survive 1 1/2 times the max load it would be subjected to in service.
Any deviation from blue print has to go to engineering, and, depending what the problem/part is, stress and durability, for disposition on how to fix it.
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) inspects the builders, operators, maintenance, etc.

Answer 10

Statistically speaking, you are more likely to die in a car crash on the way to and from the airport. Airliners are very safe and the only reason you hear of plane crashes is becasue they are fairly rare and always spectacular. Just sit down and enjoy the ride.