Q: Perhaps you could lend your support to a rhetorical cause I've been waging without success. Why does the press still refer to "fighter jets"? The inference is that some fighters are propeller-powered and others are jet-powered. That might have made sense in Korea; perhaps even Vietnam. But today, all fighters are jets. Calling them "fighter jets" is redundant. It's like the sports pages using "baseball pitcher," just to be sure we didn't think they were writing about pitchers in cricket or some other sport.
Q: When I am flying and we begin our descent, I inevitably dwell on the question: What if an earthquake strikes just as we're landing? Will the movement of the ground destabilize the plane, will the landing gear crumple and send us all to a fiery death? And what about takeoff? If the earth starts to rumble, will the pilots have time to get the plane off the ground?
Author's note: The 1974 disaster film "Earthquake" features a scene in which a 707 touches down just as a major temblor hits Los Angeles. The runway fractures ... and I forget what happens after that.
Q: At night, after a commercial plane takes off and is flying close to housetops, can the lights of the plane shine so bright it looks like just one large, very bright light then the entire light of the plane goes off altogether leaving just the night sky? My question, does this happen with planes at any time? Please reply as soon as possible, thanks.
Q: Which clothing material would be safest in the event of a fuel vapor flash fire in the cabin? As I recall, wearing a wool suit is the best bet. Is this true? I am hoping that suits will become fashionable again for air travel.
Author's note: It's true that wool is somewhat flame resistant, which could save your life if you haven't already sweat to death in the typical undercooled cabin. Polyester is the worst because it can melt onto the skin. That can make crews uneasy, since pilot shirts are almost always made of poly.
Q: I really enjoy your column and read it every week. It seems you have traveled to many parts of the world. Have you traveled to India? I am from Calcutta, and our airport used to be called Dum Dum airport because it was situated in the town of Dum Dum. Thank you.
Q: Is it true that pilots aren't allowed to ingest garlic prior to flying because it slows down response time? Please advise personally.
Author's (nonpersonal) note: That's probably a good idea, if for slightly different reasons. At one of the airlines I used to work for, a pastime during layovers in Miami was for crews to have dinner at a popular Cuban place near the hotel, where the favorite dish was a kind of garlic-saturated chicken. Our takeoff time was about 10 p.m., allowing just enough time for the digested garlic to start oozing from every cell in our bodies. Within minutes the cockpit positively reeked of garlic, and stayed that way for the entire flight.
Q: What's the deal on jettisoned fuel? Are the glaciers in the Alps really covered in fuel jettisoned at high altitude? We once hiked to a Swiss alpine hut and asked for fresh mountain water. They refused to give it to us, saying that the melt water from the glacier was full of airplane fuel.
Author's note: Just when I think I've put the last silly flying myth to rest something like this comes along. Planes do not jettison fuel except during emergencies.
Q: I am fascinated by your suggestion that we have unknowingly evolved our technology from the incredible beauty and drama of nature. One could think it's a sort of hundredth monkey phenomenon transposed through the psyche at large. I'm wondering if you could suggest any books or articles that discuss such things, or if you have written any yourself. I like your writing, by the way, and will be looking for your article on your dehydration/heat exhaustion experience.
Q: I very much like your column, and I would be happy to help out if you happen to need any information regarding German/Austrian neurological issues.
Q: Are you gonna tell me a story and make me feel better? Because you've made me feel like another working-class slob. But hey, I guess you're better than me cause you know what's on the tail of an Aeroflot plane bound for Kiev or some shit. Ugh ... yawn ... your column sucks worse than the turbofan of a Blue Angels F-18. You suck.
Author's note: The above was sent in by a fellow pilot. He later apologized and admitted to being highly intoxicated at the time of writing.
Q: I'm wondering if you have any plans to write a column about large zoo-type animals such as gorillas and crocodiles escaping into the hold.
Q: An adult dove crashed full-speed into our glass patio door; death was instant. Curious, I measured the wing area and weighed the bird while still warm, gathering data for wing-loading. For this dove, it turned out to be .87 square feet per pound. I imagine, however, the body and tail also contribute a bit to lift. Applied to an average 160-pound human, the wings would have to be about 38 feet in span, disregarding weight of the wing itself. I haven't seen any angels in statues or pictures with near this size wing, but Divine Assistance is probably another factor.
Q: What flights are available from Vizag on 14th October? Thanks & Regards.
Q: hi there-1-how much fuel in percent out of full tanks is used takeoff to cruise point 2-if 100 percent power is used how is used during cruise in normal conditions 3-all 4 engines work in cruise in the same power output? thanks a lot.
Q: Flying over the equator, I have the sensation that the plane slows down. Is it just my imagination? And, is it true that over the equator there are more turbolencies?
Q: stuck in colorado we have to fly to east west, but when I go to near states I fly as do others. fuck the airlines.
Q:Imagine you are a dog. What would you go through in a plane's cargo hold during a long trans-pacific flight, and later being handled as baggage upon arrival at Manila airport. What would ease your pain?
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Do you have questions for Salon's aviation expert? Send them to AskThePilot and look for answers in a future column.
About the writer
Patrick Smith is an airline pilot. His column is archived here.
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