When taking a long trip, most passengers wonder, “What do the pilots do on long flights?”
Don’t worry, all your questions will be answered below!
When flying for extended periods, pilots can keep themselves occupied with a wide variety of tasks. Pilots’ activities during flight include controlling the aircraft, monitoring systems and data such as fuel levels and remaining flight time, resting, making plans for a safe landing, and other similar activities.
As a traveler on a long flight, there is a wide variety of entertainment available to you. True, but what about the pilots?
Long-distance flights are not as easy as kicking back with your feet up while the autopilot takes care of everything, and this article will enlighten you on all the tasks that pilots must perform.
Our articles feature the most useful information possible because they are the result of a collaborative effort between our own experiences as pilots and those of other pilots and aviation industry experts. This whole thing is based on interviews with pilots and aviation specialists and what they say they do on long trips.
Let’s get into it!
What Do Pilots Do On Long Flights?
Lots of passengers try to grab some shut-eye while in the air. To doze off during departure and be roused by the jet touching down at your destination is the pinnacle of travel comfort. Even if you don’t like sleeping on planes, there are plenty of other things you may do, such as watching movies, chatting with loved ones, getting some work done, and so on.
On extended flights, though, pilots can’t just relax and do whatever they want. After all, someone has to control the aircraft. Even though autopilot can make flying a plane easier than before, pilots still need to be aware of their surroundings and ready to take control at a moment’s notice. So, what do pilots do during cross-country flights?
When flying for long periods, how do pilots pass the time?
Even though the autopilot is handling most of the controls, pilots still have plenty of time to do other things while the aircraft is cruising. While the pilot’s primary focus is on operating the plane throughout takeoff and landing, they still have enough to do during the voyage. Okay, let’s check this out.
They make sure they have enough gas:
When at cruise speed and altitude, the autopilot is normally engaged very immediately. The pilots will first check the fuel levels to make sure they are adequate for the flight. The pilots will be aided in their search for fuel leaks or other potential problems by this information.
Pilots also measure the schedule as part of their preflight routine. They’ll double-check the departure and arrival times, as well as the local and destination times. Since time zones shift periodically while in the air, pilots will rely on UTC and keep track of everything. Checking the time is crucial for making sure the trip is on schedule so they can provide ATC with the necessary information at the appropriate times.
Sleeping:
Yes, you heard right! It’s possible for everyone on board, including the pilot, to catch some sleep. Don’t be alarmed if you have never flown before and the idea of your pilot sleeping on the job gives you the willies.
Pilots are required to abide by a variety of safety protocols and regulations. Therefore, it’s not as though the pilot is slacking off to catch some Zs. In the following part, we’ll discuss pilot sleep in further depth.
Preparing for Emergencies:
No matter how short or long the flight is, one of the most important things a pilot can do is to be ready for anything that might happen. The crew and the pilots will be better prepared to deal with any emergency that may arise and ensure the safety of everyone on board if they take this precaution.
While in the air, pilots will almost constantly be considering the following:
- Where can we alter our flight plan to get around the bad weather?
- If an engine were to stop working, what would happen?
- If a traveler or member of the crew becomes unwell or has an emergency, such as a heart attack, what will happen?
- When the cabin’s pressurization system fails, what happens?
- Imagine that the plane starts leaking fuel.
- Is there a nearby airport where we can make an emergency landing?
Furthermore, I will add. Pilots are taught to be prepared for anything that might occur. At all times, a pilot’s primary duty is to ensure the passengers’ safety.
Arranging Your Trip To Reach Your Goal:
Any seasoned pilot would tell you that landing is typically the most challenging portion of any flight, excluding any unforeseen events that may occur during the flight itself. So, when the jet gets closer to its destination, the crew and the pilots will begin making preparations for landing.
By speaking with air traffic control, pilots can find out about the current approach to weather, which runway they should begin heading for, and the inductive approach that has been predetermined. Considerations for weather and other factors will go into the crew’s determination of the minimum safe landing distance.
Taking their meals:
Pilots eat separately from passengers after the meal has been served to everyone else. This is done so that one person is in charge at all times. When the flight is expected to last longer than twelve hours, relief pilots are brought onboard to ensure that the two pilots who took off can rest. On missions that are only 8 or 9 hours long, only two pilots are required.
The only time they get to walk around and straighten their legs is when they have to use the restroom. While the flight’s middle section is usually uneventful, things pick up when the plane gets closer to its destination, and preparations for landing must be made.
Do Pilots Get Sleep on Long Flights?
Both pilots and passengers have the opportunity to rest during flights. However, they are subject to a stricter set of regulations than passengers. How many pilots, how long of a flight, and what kind of sleep are we talking about?
Let’s get down to brass tacks here!
Typically, there are two pilots on board, the captain and the primary officer, on shorter trips like those within the United States. Two pilots mean that one can use regulated rest to grab some shut-eye.
During this time, the pilot typically takes short, power naps of 10–20 minutes in their seat. The other pilots must be awake and vigilant at all times for this form of sleep to be effective.
There are usually more than two pilots on long-distance flights. There will typically be at least four pilots, with two pilot pairings. On such flights, the heavy crew takes over once the jet is at cruising altitude. The captain and first officer will retire to their bunks for the night.
Why do pilots use autopilot mode?
Both pilots and passengers have the opportunity to rest during flights. However, they are subject to a stricter set of regulations than passengers.
How many pilots, how long of a flight, and what kind of sleep are we talking about?
Typically, there are 2 pilots on board, the captain and the primary officer, on shorter trips like those within the United States. Two pilots mean that one can use regulated rest to grab some shut-eye.
During this time, the pilot typically takes short, power naps of 10–20 minutes in their seat. The other pilots must be awake and vigilant at all times for this form of sleep to be effective.
There are usually more than two pilots on long-distance flights. There will typically be at least four pilots, with two pilot pairings. On such flights, the heavy crew takes over once the jet is at cruising altitude. The captain and first officer will retire to their bunks for the night.
Conclusion:
Using the ground-based Flight Management Computer, the pilots give the autopilot the orders to keep the wings level and fly the route programmed into the aircraft. While it does require one pilot to constantly monitor the autopilot to make sure it is functioning as intended, it frees up other members of the crew to deal with other issues.
