this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2025
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Aeroplane (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 day ago by themaninblack@lemmy.world to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[–] balsoft@lemmy.ml 65 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (4 children)

Few additions:

  • "reverse thrust" → "slow down (after you land)"
  • (at foot pedals) "Push both to brake (after you land), push one or the other to turn"
  • "go fast" → "go fast (keep levers together)"
  • "keep it above the ground" → "keep it above the ground, but not too high"
  • (at IAS indiciator) "how fast you're going", "keep between 170 and 400, lower to 140 when landing"
  • "make wings bigger" → "make wings bigger, required when taking off or landing"
[–] mkwt@lemmy.world 16 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

Some more practical tips.

  • if the autopilot is engaged, you can't physically move the wheels, because it is moving them for you. Press the red button on the steering wheel to disconnect autopilot.
  • That IAS tape on the left of the sky/ground box is the most important thing on the plane. It's got red bands on the high side and low side that you should stay out of.
  • if the plane tells you there's a "stall, stall" you need to push the wheels forward to make the nose go down. And keep the speed above that lower red band.
  • the black button on the wheel is the push-to-talk to talk on the radio, or maybe the internal PA system. Depends how it's set up.
  • most important: the switch for the "fasten seatbelt" sign is usually on the bottom of the top panel. You can flip it on and off as much as you want. (Older planes will also let you do this with the "no smoking" sign).
[–] balsoft@lemmy.ml 6 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (1 children)

if the autopilot is engaged, you can’t physically move the wheels, because it is moving them for you.

I'm pretty sure on newer 737s the autopilot disconnects when it detects a sufficient physical force on the yoke. But yeah the button is easier and safer.

most important: the switch for the “fasten seatbelt” sign is usually on the bottom of the top panel. You can flip it on and off as much as you want. (Older planes will also let you do this with the “no smoking” sign).

Gee, how the hell did everyone miss this? The most important control element.

[–] mkwt@lemmy.world 2 points 12 hours ago

I'm pretty sure on newer 737s the autopilot disconnects when it detects a sufficient physical force on the yoke.

On airplanes that don't do this, the autopilot servos are clutched so that you can still override them by applying a specified amount of force. There are reinforced points on the bottom of the dash panel that you can use with your foot to get leverage to help with this.

(This also applies as a backup on planes that do disconnect)

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 3 points 14 hours ago

How tempting is it to push all the buttons all the time?

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 35 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

How could they forget the foot pedals? That's a whole axis and objectively the most fun controls on the plane.

adding:

  • All the buttons behind you are circuit breakers.
[–] balsoft@lemmy.ml 10 points 23 hours ago (3 children)

Yeah, the foot pedals and IAS indicator are glaring omissions. I guess they really just want you to fly with autopilot and autothrust, but good fucking luck setting up autoland without prior experience.

[–] Venator@lemmy.nz 2 points 12 hours ago

they should add a big red emergency button behind the pilot seat that allows air traffic control to set it remotely

[–] pupbiru@aussie.zone 3 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

i mean i assume good luck landing without prior experience in general … surely it’d be easier for someone over the radio to walk you through setting some auto things correctly than walking you through how to land?

[–] balsoft@lemmy.ml 2 points 12 hours ago

Yeah, you will need someone to help you. Still, ILS CATIII autoland is a nuanced mode that needs many conditions to fullfill and is complicated to get right. Landing visually (maybe with basic ILS as a guide) is probably easier for someone with no experience.

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 13 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) (1 children)

Set the autopilot, make yourself a coffee while you skim the manual, successful landing.

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 5 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

(at foot pedals) “Push both to brake (after you land), push one or the other to turn”

Doesn't the 737 have toe brakes?

[–] whyNotSquirrel@sh.itjust.works 10 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

you have to remove your shoes for those?

[–] Anarki_@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 15 hours ago

The more toes you push down, the more slowly it goes.

[–] kungen@feddit.nu 9 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

(after you land)

Bold of you to assume we're landing this in a controlled fashion.

[–] balsoft@lemmy.ml 12 points 22 hours ago

It's more as a reminder to NOT engage reverse thrust while in the air.