The world of aviation is full of intriguing details, from the special lingo used by the crew to the hidden capabilities of the plane. The cockpit, in particular, is an area that's mostly off-limits to passengers, leaving us curious about what happens behind those closed doors and what guidelines must be followed to guarantee a safe journey. Well, you're in luck! We've pulled back the curtain to share 6 captivating secrets and rules of the cockpit. Let's get to the point!
Flying 101: the unexpected truths about air travel
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1. Pilots and co-pilots steer clear of sharing the same food
Many airlines have strict rules that don't allow pilots to share the same in-flight meal. The idea behind this rule is that if one pilot gets sick from the food, the other one can safely land the plane without any problems. Food poisoning on planes isn't common, but it does happen sometimes. In 1975, 197 people got sick on a Japan Airlines flight from Alaska to Denmark. And in 1982, the pilot, co-pilot, engineer, and 10 other crew members on a flight from Boston to Lisbon reportedly got sick from some spoiled pudding. While the FAA in the United States doesn't have a rule against pilots eating the same meals, a lot of airlines around the world have put in place rules that don't allow it.
2. Most pilots need to be clean-shaven
Commercial airline pilots are generally required to be clean-shaven. This rule comes from a 1987 study by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which found that facial hair prevents oxygen masks from fitting properly and working correctly. Another study showed that there would be significant leakage, between 16% and 67%, for anyone with facial hair wearing an oxygen mask, whether they are a crew member or a passenger. However, in recent years, a few airlines have made exceptions to this rule. For example, in 2018, Air Canada changed its policy to allow pilots to have beards trimmed to a maximum length of 1.25 centimeters.
3. Reading for fun is off-limits
Federal rules prohibit pilots from doing other activities during critical moments of a flight. This is known as the "Sterile Cockpit Rule." It encourages pilots to stay focused on their duties while taxiing, taking off, landing, and flying below 10,000 feet. Pilots can't read books or have casual conversations, as anything that could distract them from flying the plane is forbidden. However, they can read manuals to help fly the aircraft and discuss matters related to the upcoming trip. During these crucial times, pilots must keep their full attention on the task at hand.
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4. Pilots have a hidden napping area
The cockpit isn't the only restricted area on the plane. There's also a secret rest area for cabin crew members to refresh themselves during long flights. These crew bunks are often hidden behind what looks like a lavatory door and are typically located above the main cabin in newer aircraft or below the cabin and in the cargo hold in some older models. Each bunk is around 78 inches by 30 inches, and there's a communal area for the crew to change clothes. These quarters allow the crew to meet minimum rest requirements and recharge away from passengers before resuming their duties.
5. Autopilot takes over for most of the flight
Autopilot isn't just used in special situations. In fact, it's active for most of the flight. According to a pilot's column in USA Today, autopilot is turned on about 90% of the time on most flights, although it's up to the pilot's preference. Some pilots prefer to manually steer the plane for longer, while others activate autopilot as soon as they're allowed to let the computer handle the flying. Autopilot can even assist pilots during the landing process, and a Brazilian aircraft company is testing a new procedure to use autopilot for takeoffs.
6. Planes don't usually fly with a full gas tank
Airlines rarely fill up the fuel tank completely. This is to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft. However, passengers don't need to worry about running out of fuel. Commercial airlines are required to carry a minimum amount of fuel to ensure the plane reaches its destination with ease. But in general, the heavier the plane, the more expensive it is to operate. That's why the fuel tank is usually only partially filled before each flight.
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Have you ever heard something about off-site parking? If not, we recommend you take a closer look at this part of the article, as this information will be handy for those who prefer to travel by air and get to the airport by their own car.
Most people suppose that parking at the airport is the fastest and most convenient option for them. However, it's not actually true. We'll explain to you why.
To be true, being in a terminal parking lot isn't convenient at all. Although on-site airport parking is the nearest place where you can leave your vehicle for the period of a trip, you can face the following difficulties:
- You will need to find a spot in a crowded lot,
- You will need to carry the luggage all the way through the parking lot,
- You must pay expensive fees without great service.
Sounds not good, right? However, we found an excellent solution for you – in this case, off-site parking can become a savior for you. So if you're trying to find a parking spot with great service nearby the airport you're flying from and don't want to leave there the most significant part of your budget, pay attention to this option.
How does it work?
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Obviously, people who chose a car as a way to get to the airport want to leave their vehicle safely while traveling and not to face the problems we described above. So what can off-site airport parking offer its customers?
Although a few miles usually separate such parking from the airport, you shouldn't worry about this. Off-site parking provides free shuttles going back and forth between the parking lot and the airport. Thanks to this, it removes any worries about getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport during peak times. So all you need to do is choose the best time for you and inform the parking lot staff.
How does it work? Actually, everything is straightforward: when you come to the entrance, the staff will remove your luggage from your car and load it onto the shuttle, which will take you and your bags to the terminal. Then, the vehicle will be parked securely.
In addition, this type of parking is much cheaper, and this is good news, as nobody wants to waste money. Therefore, off-site parking is the perfect option to receive excellent service and save money at the same time.
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We're glad to inform you that you can find this solution right here. Our booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, offers the best prices on airport car parking and bundles hotel and parking packages. Besides, we provide the services for top cruise ports in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas.
Our platform allows you to make an airport parking reservation through a few clicks within the application. As a result, customers receive a booking confirmation and a guaranteed parking spot upon arrival at the off-airport lot. Besides, if plans change, you can cancel hassle-free and receive a refund.
To understand it better, we would like to give you an example. Let's imagine that you're planning a trip to a popular destination. Regardless of your departure point, you can find convenient and affordable parking near airport you're flying from. Also, ParkingNearAirports.io offers its customers special airport parking coupons. With the help of these coupons, you can make the price for parking even two times less. So don't forget to use them to save as much money as possible.
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