The aviation industry and air travel have been rapidly expanding over the years. With the emergence of post-pandemic revenge travel, a surge of passengers has been booking air tickets to travel to various destinations worldwide. In light of this trend, I believe it is essential to educate more people about air travel, enabling them to develop a deeper appreciation for this form of transportation. Therefore, I am thrilled to revisit the fundamentals of air travel and discuss the various phases of a flight.
The experience of flying on an airplane can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for passengers. Understanding what happens during each phase can help alleviate some of the anxiety and increase your overall comfort while flying.
Flying has evolved dramatically over the years, from its humble beginnings as a risky and expensive endeavor to the modern-day routine mode of transportation that we all know and love. However, despite the advancements in technology, the basic structure of a flight remains unchanged. A flight consists of a series of distinct phases, each with its own unique characteristics and procedures.
The Different Phases of a Flight:
- Pre-departure
- Before the aircraft takes off, pilots must complete a series of pre-flight checks. This includes a visual inspection of the aircraft to check for any abnormalities, programming the flight plan into the flight deck computers, and making sure the fuel is loaded. At the same time, the cabin crew will check their emergency equipment, ensure their harness/seatbelt is adjusted, and conduct a final security check of the cabin before passengers board.
- Clearance to Taxi
- Once the aircraft is boarded with passengers and loaded with cargo, the pilots will obtain clearance from the airport control tower to taxi. The aircraft is then pushed back, typically with a tug, before being cleared to power under its own steam and taxi to the take-off runway.
- Take-off
- As the aircraft accelerates to a particular flying speed, it becomes airborne, and the landing gear is retracted. The take-off speed and distance required for each flight can vary due to factors such as pressure height, wind speed and direction, aircraft weight, air temperature, flap setting, runway gradient, clearance, and operational requirements.
- Initial Climb
- The initial climb is when the aircraft ascends to a safe altitude. Pilots typically set the power to maximum thrust for takeoff, but once a safe altitude is reached, they reduce the power setting to a lesser thrust to conserve fuel and reduce engine wear. During this phase, the landing gear is retracted to reduce drag and help lift the airplane.
- Climb to Cruise Altitude
- About five minutes into the climb, the passenger seatbelt sign is turned off, allowing flight attendants to begin in-flight service. The cabin manager makes a post-takeoff announcement at this time. As the flight progresses and fuel weight is burnt off, the aircraft will ascend to a higher altitude, which is more fuel-efficient.
- Cruise Altitude
- The majority of the flight is spent at the cruise altitude. The optimal altitude depends on the weight of the aircraft, and typically, an aircraft will ascend as the flight progresses and fuel weight is burnt off.
- Descent
- The descent phase is the decrease in altitude from cruise altitude to initial approach altitude, which is approximately 20 minutes from the estimated time of arrival. The seatbelt sign is turned on approximately 10 minutes before landing, allowing the cabin crew to do a final secure check of the cabin.
- Approach
- The aircraft must be configured for landing during this phase, which is typically predetermined during the flight planning stage. The flaps and slats on the wings will be extended to create more lift at a slower speed, and the wheels will be lowered. The aircraft will line up on what is called “final” and continue down the approach path.
- Landing
- Landing is the critical stage of the flight where the aircraft slows down to a safe speed just before touching down on the runway. The landing speed is different for each flight and is dependent on factors such as pressure height, wind speed and direction, aircraft weight, air temperature, flap setting, runway gradient, clearance, and operational requirements. To slow the aircraft down, lift dumpers or speed brakes are deployed, and wheel brakes and reverse engine thrust are applied.
- Taxi to the Terminal
- After landing, the aircraft will maneuver from the runway to the terminal via the taxiways to a designated arrival bay.
- Post-flight
- This is the final phase, where the crew change shifts, and the aircraft is prepared for the next leg of its journey.
Understanding the different phases of a flight can help make air travel less daunting. While it may seem complicated, each phase serves a specific purpose to ensure a safe and smooth flight. Next time you take to the skies, take comfort in knowing what is happening during each stage of your journey.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
