Is it possible to see other aircraft flying while you are flying?


Is it possible to see other aircraft flying while you are flying? If you are a frequent traveller who enjoys a window seat, you might have noticed other aircraft while in air. Flying in the crowded skies over Europe or North America, it is quite common to see other aircraft whizzing past, either above or below.


Why are planes circling my house?

Why do planes have to fly over residential areas? Aircraft must fly over residential areas because of the small distances between some airports and neighborhoods. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary for aircraft to fly over these residential areas in order for aircraft to safely reach the airports.


Are pilots nervous when they fly?

Usually not. However, some weather conditions can cause turbulence and up and downdrafts such that an airplane can not be controlled completely; that makes me nervous. The pilot can usually keep the pitch about right, but the airspeed will be going all over the place.


How many airplanes are in the sky a day?

Every day, some 93,000 flights take off from approximately 9,000 airports. At any given time, there are between 8,000 and 13,000 airplanes in the air. Over 30,000 flights with two million passengers on board take off every single day in the United States alone.


Why do you not see other planes when flying?

The sky is very big. Even though there are many planes always in the air the space for them means they don't need to be close enough to see from another plane. 2. In many cases airliners fly the same paths through the sky.


Why do we not see airplanes and birds flying in the sky?

We do not see the shadow of a bird flying high up in air because in their shadow, the umbra is absent and the penumbra is too faint that is not visible as the distance of screen (i.e. earth) is very large from the object (i.e. bird).


How many miles do planes fly per hour?

The average cruising airspeed for a commercial passenger aircraft that flies long distances is approximately 880–926 km/h (475–500 kn; 547–575 mph).


How do planes know not to crash into each other?

Traffic collision avoidance system The system, based on the signals from aircraft transponders, alerts pilots if a potential collision with another aircraft is imminent.


Why are planes suddenly flying over my house?

Why am I suddenly getting more aircraft overflying my house than previously? Aircraft take off and land into the wind, or with minimal tail wind. As a result, wind direction dictates the selection of runway(s) in use at any time. This in turn determines which flight paths are used.


Why are planes quieter at night?

At night, it's not that we can't hear the sound of an airplane since the sound coming from it could still reach the ground but instead this noise is not that loud. Airplanes are advised to fly higher during nighttime to minimize the noise pollution it causes. So the sound intensity could go lesser as it reaches you.


Why do planes fly low at night?

Why do planes fly so low at night? FAA recommends general aviation aircraft to stay below 5,000 ft at night time. I thought the reason is that oxygen usage with our eye's rods since the rods uses much oxygen and rods can get hypoxia which makes tunnel vision and eventually not able to see outside.


How many plane crashes in a year?

In the US, there is an average of 1,662 plane crashes per year. Globally, there are 6,392 plane crashes per year, on average.


Do pilots talk to each other while flying?

Some crews talk a lot with each other, while others remain quiet for much of the flight. If pilots share a lot in common and enjoy discussing mutual topics of interest, an entire multi-day trip can be filled with conversation.


How fast do planes fly?

Understanding these speeds can provide a fascinating insight into the realm of aviation. On average, commercial planes cruise at about 575-600 mph (925-965 km/h, 500 to 521 knots, 0.78 to 0.81 Mach). Private jets typically cruise at around 500-600 mph (805-965 km/h, 435 to 521 knots, 0.68 to 0.81 Mach).


What do pilots say when there is turbulence?

When turbulence is anticipated or suddenly encountered, the Captain will turn on the FASTEN SEATBELT sign. If turbulence is severe, the Captain will make an announcement “Flight Attendants please be seated”. Immediately discontinue service and return to your jumpseat or sit in the nearest available seat.


How low can a plane fly legally?

An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.


What do pilots say before takeoff?

What do pilots say right before takeoff? These can vary, but in general, the announcements are relatively standard across different airlines. Most pilots will typically introduce themselves and the cabin crew; state the aircraft type, flight number, and route, and remind passengers of the airline's seatbelt policy.


How much money did airlines lose after 9 11?

U.S. airlines lost $8 billion in 2001. The industry wasn't profitable again until 2006. Losses topped $60 billion over that five-year period and airlines again lost money in 2008 during the Great Recession. Job cuts in the wake of 9/11 were in the tens of thousands and workers faced massive pay cuts.


Can pilots actually see anything at night?

If you ever gazed at the window during a night flight, you'll be welcomed by pitch black darkness. That's why most passengers wonder– how do pilots see at night? The answer is quite simple, no, they don't actually see anything at night.


What do pilots see when flying?

Whether flying at night or during the day, pilots need to see some kind of horizon. They use this to determine the airplane's attitude. At night pilots will turn their gaze from outside to inside and use the artificial horizon. The artificial horizon is normally a simply globe split into two hemispheres.