2007-10-11 21:11:44 · 11 answers · asked by vishnu a 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Nope, this is not possible in the conventional airplanes.
However, there are some fighter planes and jets that have this capability to stay (hover) at one position in the sky.
2007-10-11 21:32:01 · answer #1 · answered by Infernal Monarch 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, to a certain extent.
Trimmed properly, low altitude, fixed wing aircraft will maintain the last course set by the pilot and maintain altitude and airspeed.
Hands off flying at higher altitudes is better left to the autopilots the more complex aircraft are equipped with. Trying to maintain control of the airplane manually, (hand flying,) above certain altitudes, depending on the aircraft, is a little like trying to balance a postage stamp on the point of a needle.
At lower altitudes, fixed wing aircraft will basically fly themselves as pilots grope around for the chart in the seat back pocket, or use the relief tube, (if you don't know, you don't want to,) or concentrate on trying to find an approach plate in a Jepp's book.
JT
2007-10-12 01:34:38 · answer #2 · answered by jettech 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it sure can, and you can even go back wards.... I have done it many times. If you fly a smaller aircraft, and are flying at an airspeed of 50 knots, and you are flying into a head wind at 50 knots... your effective ground speed it ZERO. A few years ago I was "hovering" above the Lincoln NE airport run way... I sat at the same spot, and even was moving backwards, due to my a/c speed was the same or less than the head wind speed. On the larger a/c they fly faster and are more powerful, yet the head wind still reduces their ground speed for the same reason. Now when I turned my a/c around ,my ground speed was well over 150 knots, and I was only at 75% throttle.
2007-10-11 23:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by Dport 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It can deffintely be done. During initial flight training it's called slow flight. This is doen more in smaller aircraft like Cessna's and Piper's. You place the aircraft into the wind, flaps fully down. Point the nose up and apply throttle. In perfect conditions you can actually go bacwards in a non-VTOL aircraft/Helicopter. I did this once while earning my pilot's license with Embry-Riddle down in Daytona Beach Florida. Got a lot of finger's pointing up at me from the beach when I was "backing" my C172 south along the beach while the nose was pointed north.
2007-10-12 02:02:21 · answer #4 · answered by deltaflotfan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a plane flies into a 100 mph wind at airspeed of 100 mph it will appear to have stopped in mid-air relative to someone on the ground
2007-10-12 06:53:41 · answer #5 · answered by GILMEISTERA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes and no
no for commercial airliners...use some common sense lol they're way too big for that
yes, take the Harrier for example. it is a VTOL aircraft..Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft. i've seen a documentary on the national geographic channel and the jet engines rotate vertically to propel the plane up.
2007-10-13 19:15:38 · answer #6 · answered by bboyReLive 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure it's possible. Even possible to go backwards. Fly a hundred knotts airspeed into a hundred fifty knott headwind you'll go backwards over the ground at fifty knotts.
2007-10-12 17:22:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well some times if you are moving in a car in the opposite direction of a low level flying aircraft, and between you and the aircraft, and in your filed of vision their is an object like a high building for instance, the air craft would seem like its not moving, eyes plying games...
2007-10-12 10:34:30 · answer #8 · answered by talalb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it can. Have done it many times when I see a bird coming on my way, I just stop and let him go .
2007-10-12 04:50:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
obsolutely no
only jet planes and choppers can do that
2007-10-11 22:51:23 · answer #10 · answered by gadde 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋