The Plane Truth

Why Pilots Don't use 100% Engine Power on Take-Off

In this episode Matt asks a listener question about aircraft performance calculations. What are they? What needs to be taken into consideration before a flight? Do pilots

Captain Vs First Officer - How to Become a Captain

Do you know the difference between the Captain and the First Officer on an aircraft? Is there a difference between Captain and Commander? How do you become a captain? Wha

How to De-Ice a Plane

Is deicing a plane as easy as deicing your car? What products are used? Do planes have de-icing systems available? What do you need to consider as the captain of an aircr

Why are airplanes so cold?

Have you ever been frozen as a passenger on an airplane? Why is it always so cold on an airplane? Or why is it always too hot on an airplane? Who controls the temperature

Emergency Evacuations & Belly Landings

We answer a question from viewer Sir Hingle all about emergency evacuations and belly landings. What is a belly landing? What happens to passengers after a plane crash? W

Airline Callsigns - Air Traffic Control

How do flights get callsigns? Why do planes and pilots need callsigns? Are there ever any duplicates? Does Air Traffic Control influence aircraft callsigns? What callsign

The Truth about Blue Ice & Airplane Waste

Have you ever wondered what blue ice is? Does human waste fall from the skies? Has blue ice ever landed in your garden? Well, what is it? Why does it fall and is it a thi

The Safest Seat in an Airplane - Where should you sit?

This week Matt asks where is the safest place to sit on an aircraft? Airplanes are super safe these days but if you're in a plane crash, where should you sit for the best

Winglets, Wingtips, Sharklets and Fences

This week Matt asks What are the wingtips on an airplane and what do they do? When were they introduced? Do different wingtip shapes have different functions?

Do Airplanes Have Keys?

Join Matt, a nervous flyer, and Captain Al, a seasoned Airbus A320 airline pilot as they discuss some myths and frequently asked questions about all things aviation.  Thi

Loading an Airplane

This week Captain Al answers questions all about loading and balancing of an aircraft. How centre of gravity is calculated and what considerations need to be taken when c

Do Pilots Use Feet or Meters?

Each country has its own way of measuring all sorts of things. So what happens in aviation with pilots and planes flying all over the world? Do pilots use meters or feet?

Steering an Airplane - Turning Circles

I'm sure many would agree that parking a car is never a favourite part of driving for me. What's it like steering and parking a plane? They can be giant machines and whil

How Does a Plane Stop on Snow?

Winter is well and truly upon us and we all know of the chaos it can bring to airports. Today we discuss how airplanes stop on contaminated runways. Come rain, snow, ice,

The Language of Aviation (What's our vector, Victor)

There are enormous amounts of acronyms, abbreviations, technical terms and such in aviation. Is there a common language in aviation? How do all air traffic controllers an

How to fly an airliner

It's no surprise that our pilots that bring us safely to our destinations all around the world need solid training and many licenses before they carry passengers. So how

In the Case of a Sudden Loss of Cabin Pressure...

It's depressurization and decompression that we're talking about today. What happens in a rapid decompression? How about a slow decompression? What danger does hypoxia ca

Military vs Civilian: Who's the Better Pilot?

What happens if a plane loses and engine? What do pilots need to consider when an engine failure occurs? Is a stricken plane doomed to crash or can it fly with one engine

Engine Failures on Airliners!

What happens if a plane loses and engine? What do pilots need to consider when an engine failure occurs? Is a stricken plane doomed to crash or can it fly with one engine

What if Pilots Need a Nap in Flight?

Pilots & Cabin Crew work long hours to get us where we need to be. But how long can pilots work for? Are there time limits and what happens on ultra long haul flights? Ca