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Mythbusters once went to a commercial airline simulator to test the idea that a passenger with no training could land the plane. Without ATC help, it wasn't a g

Mythbusters once went to a commercial airline simulator to test the idea that a passenger with no training could land the plane. Without ATC help, it wasn't a great outcome. With ATC, they faired much better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ8K-hOcRHk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ8K-hOcRHk

hugh-avherald 4y ago
Large aircraft are one thing, but most folks could land a light aircraft most of the time in good weather with barely any training. But most is like 80% and there's probably a 10% chance of dying or at least badly damaging the aircraft.
- pc86 4y ago
  Not nitpicking because I agree with you, but in an emergency situation like this if you can walk away from the airplane, the condition of it is irrelevant. So I think at least 85-90% of the time (in good weather with a crosswind component below 7-8kts or so) everyone would be okay. And absolutely agreed on the large aircraft part. I'm a private pilot, but no instrument cert yet, with only piston single experience - not even a high performance or complex endorsement - and I'm pretty sure if I had to land a widebody commercial airliner the only difference between me and someone with no experience is I'd sound better on the radio. I think the end result would probably be the same.
  - Nextgrid 4y ago
    I think the first obstacle for a layman to land a plane is to not panic and figure out how to work the radio (without pressing the wrong thing and accidentally shutting down the engines or something equally disastrous) so they can then follow the instructions calmly. I’d expect most people that would fail would fail at this stage - if they can get past that, their odds improve a lot.
    - dlisboa 4y ago
      That's exactly right. This pilot on YouTube did this test with a layperson and the main issue was getting comms up. It took like 20 minutes if I remember correctly, but after that the landing itself went alright. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw6mjVIdbbc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw6mjVIdbbc
    - im3w1l 4y ago
      It's less of a disaster than you'd think. Even if you shut off the engines the plane can glide for a long time. So if you don't panic you will have time to turn them back on.
      - pc86 4y ago
        You're right, but in this situation - a non-pilot is in a piston single with a pilot who becomes incapacitated - what are the odds they're not already panicking?
spc476 4y ago
Years ago I had the opportunity to "fly" an A320 simulator (the type they use to train pilots) at Miami International Airport. Yes, with instructions, I was able to successfully land the airplane, and found it easier to do so than with Microsoft Flight Simulator. It was just setting a few controls, and on a small monitor in the middle of the dashboard, keep the plus sign in the square. Without help? Not a chance ...
TheRealNGenius 4y ago
*fared. It undermines the legitimacy of your entire comment since an elementary schooler could spell better than you.

hugh-avherald 4y ago

Large aircraft are one thing, but most folks could land a light aircraft most of the time in good weather with barely any training. But most is like 80% and there's probably a 10% chance of dying or at least badly damaging the aircraft.

pc86 4y ago
Not nitpicking because I agree with you, but in an emergency situation like this if you can walk away from the airplane, the condition of it is irrelevant. So I think at least 85-90% of the time (in good weather with a crosswind component below 7-8kts or so) everyone would be okay. And absolutely agreed on the large aircraft part. I'm a private pilot, but no instrument cert yet, with only piston single experience - not even a high performance or complex endorsement - and I'm pretty sure if I had to land a widebody commercial airliner the only difference between me and someone with no experience is I'd sound better on the radio. I think the end result would probably be the same.
- Nextgrid 4y ago
  I think the first obstacle for a layman to land a plane is to not panic and figure out how to work the radio (without pressing the wrong thing and accidentally shutting down the engines or something equally disastrous) so they can then follow the instructions calmly. I’d expect most people that would fail would fail at this stage - if they can get past that, their odds improve a lot.
  - dlisboa 4y ago
    That's exactly right. This pilot on YouTube did this test with a layperson and the main issue was getting comms up. It took like 20 minutes if I remember correctly, but after that the landing itself went alright. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw6mjVIdbbc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw6mjVIdbbc
  - im3w1l 4y ago
    It's less of a disaster than you'd think. Even if you shut off the engines the plane can glide for a long time. So if you don't panic you will have time to turn them back on.
    - pc86 4y ago
      You're right, but in this situation - a non-pilot is in a piston single with a pilot who becomes incapacitated - what are the odds they're not already panicking?

spc476 4y ago

Years ago I had the opportunity to "fly" an A320 simulator (the type they use to train pilots) at Miami International Airport. Yes, with instructions, I was able to successfully land the airplane, and found it easier to do so than with Microsoft Flight Simulator. It was just setting a few controls, and on a small monitor in the middle of the dashboard, keep the plus sign in the square. Without help? Not a chance ...

TheRealNGenius 4y ago

*fared. It undermines the legitimacy of your entire comment since an elementary schooler could spell better than you.