No. Any plane will require a minimum forward speed of 200 miles/hr to remain air-borne, unless it is accelerating or decelerating.
Sometimes the plane is felt motionless or stopped because the pilot has throttled the engine for landing or to take advantage of air stream pushing the plan from the back. Other times the auxiliary power (air-conditioning, light, etc.) is switched off to conserve fuel and sudden quietness feels like plan is standing still or falling apart.
2007-07-18 12:36:22
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answer #1
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answered by yogesh u 3
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The feeling you describe is your perception of the plane decelerating (slowing down), which usually only happens when preparing for descent. Your equilibrium becomes accustomed to the forward motion of the plane after long periods at a constant speed. When the plane slows down the deceleration can make it seem almost as though the plane is stopping in the air. This illusion is usually magnified by the accompanied drop in engine noise, making it seem like the engines are stopping and so is the plane. When a pilot reduces the throttle needed to maintain cruising speed, the plane slows down by itself due to natural air resistance (drag). If the Pilot cuts the throttle rapidly, it can seem as though he or she has put on the brakes, but no airbrakes are needed to slow a plane down (except after touching down).
2007-07-18 18:31:26
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answer #2
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answered by psychetechnic 2
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The only thing I've ever seen stop in mid air is a hawk. And they can do it by using wind and the lift from their wings and the fact that they are so light. But it is impossible for a passenger plane to stop in mid air unless the wind is 150mph+.
2007-07-18 17:07:36
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Technically, if the headwind is equal to the forward thrust generated airspeed, then yes you can be standing still relative to the ground.
The jetstream can generate winds in excess of 300 mph (or so I've heard), so if a plane is travelling at 300 mph and encounters the jetstream as a headwind, then it's "goin' no where fast".
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2007-07-18 17:34:38
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answer #4
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answered by tlbs101 7
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Think about "Helicopter", it can halt on air.
2007-07-19 08:17:19
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answer #5
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answered by zonaith 2
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Only a few military jets can do this.
2007-07-18 17:33:52
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answer #6
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answered by eric l 6
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Stoping in air? Umm... Can you say "impossible"?
2007-07-18 17:05:41
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answer #7
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answered by Dwayne Hoover 6
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