3 ms·

> the captain clearly decided he was done and gunned the engines to take the plane up another 4000 feet That's not how civil aviation works, but never mind. So

by ulfw 3y ago

> the captain clearly decided he was done and gunned the engines to take the plane up another 4000 feet That's not how civil aviation works, but never mind. Sounds like a neat story.

geor9e 3y ago
The captain clearly decided he was done and radiod air traffic control for permission to go to +4000 ft and gunned the engines to take the plane up another 4000 feet is that better
- insaneirish 3y ago
  Or, they asked ATC if they had any idea what might be a smoother ride, and that's what ended up being suggested. If you listen to ATC radio at all, it's a lot more anecdotal than you'd otherwise suspect, with private planes that fly higher sometimes reporting smoother air at higher flight levels.
- bruce511 3y ago
  Honest question; is there air traffic control over the Pacific? I guess this was a China to US flight (can't read TFA), so maybe within land based radars? I'm no pilot, but I assumed over large open water it's pretty much "designated highways" with designated altitudes. But sure, if permission is needed I think it's implied in the original post that he got clearance to so. If theres more to "doesn't work like that" I'd be interested.
  - phire 3y ago
    You don't actually need radar to have air traffic control. It's just that ATC can't provide tracking services for the entire route. Instead, aircraft file their routes in advanced (which are either a series waypoints, or a fixed airway), and pilots occasionally radio in position updates as they progress. The airspace is still controlled, but without tracking, the separations are much larger. Any two aircraft that might be on the same route or might cross paths have different assigned altitudes, and they must communicate with ATC before changing altitude or route.
ykl 3y ago
Well, I assume he asked ATC and all of the usual stuff, but as an unaware passenger all I know is we climbed and then things got smoother. The engines sound super impressive when climbing.
CalRobert 3y ago
Ages ago, United would let you listen to the radio Comms in the in seat audio. I miss that.

by ulfw 3y ago

> the captain clearly decided he was done and gunned the engines to take the plane up another 4000 feet That's not how civil aviation works, but never mind. Sounds like a neat story.

geor9e 3y ago

The captain clearly decided he was done and radiod air traffic control for permission to go to +4000 ft and gunned the engines to take the plane up another 4000 feet is that better

insaneirish 3y ago
Or, they asked ATC if they had any idea what might be a smoother ride, and that's what ended up being suggested. If you listen to ATC radio at all, it's a lot more anecdotal than you'd otherwise suspect, with private planes that fly higher sometimes reporting smoother air at higher flight levels.
bruce511 3y ago
Honest question; is there air traffic control over the Pacific? I guess this was a China to US flight (can't read TFA), so maybe within land based radars? I'm no pilot, but I assumed over large open water it's pretty much "designated highways" with designated altitudes. But sure, if permission is needed I think it's implied in the original post that he got clearance to so. If theres more to "doesn't work like that" I'd be interested.
- phire 3y ago
  You don't actually need radar to have air traffic control. It's just that ATC can't provide tracking services for the entire route. Instead, aircraft file their routes in advanced (which are either a series waypoints, or a fixed airway), and pilots occasionally radio in position updates as they progress. The airspace is still controlled, but without tracking, the separations are much larger. Any two aircraft that might be on the same route or might cross paths have different assigned altitudes, and they must communicate with ATC before changing altitude or route.

ykl 3y ago

Well, I assume he asked ATC and all of the usual stuff, but as an unaware passenger all I know is we climbed and then things got smoother. The engines sound super impressive when climbing.

CalRobert 3y ago

Ages ago, United would let you listen to the radio Comms in the in seat audio. I miss that.