Winglets, Wingtips, Sharklets and Fences

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 use 100% of the engine on Take-Off?

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? What sort of training is involved?

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 aircraft? Is it ever too cold to fly?

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 of the cabin? What tricks do crew use to keep everyone happy? Are there other solutions?

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? Who is responsible to get the passengers home? What do the pilots think about after a plane crash before they start to evacuate the aircraft?

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 callsigns do the Royal Family use?

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 thing of days gone by yet?

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 chance of survival? Is there even a best seat?

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?

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.  This week Matt asks if airplanes have keys and if not, how do pilots start an airplane? What is the barking dog sound on the A320 and why do passengers hear it during start up? Captain Al takes us through a start up of a commercial aircraft from cold and dark all the way to taxiing to the runway.