Q&A for How to Land an Airplane in an Emergency

The pilot has to perform an autorotation, which requires that the helicopter lands without engine power. It's an easy maneuver when practiced regularly—the helicopter doesn't just fall out of the sky. It is controllable and flyable throughout the descent.

Sure. In many places it's possible to fly a glider aircraft solo (with no one else aboard) at 14, or a powered aircraft at 16, following basic training and a flight instructor sign-off. Even without a licence, and under the supervision of an instructor, anyone can fly an aircraft (including takeoff and landing).

Possibly, if they have learned a lot about piloting and can understand what the air traffic controllers are saying; it would be fine under adult supervision if the only adults available are injured but can speak and guide.

Even if the pilot gets disoriented, he has an altitude indicator he's trained to use. A more advanced plane like a 737-900ER also has HUD, which will give the pilot a virtual horizon to assist him with landing safely.

Ideally, you would land at an airport runway. In some cases, you might need to land on a field, road, or even water.

The descent is the process for coming in to land. It basically means begin losing some height (altitude).

Attempt to land the airplane unassisted. If the first officer (co-pilot) is still conscious but can't move, he/she can guide you.

These are the registration numbers for the aircraft. They are like a licence plate for planes. General Aviation flights identify themselves with these numbers, while commercial flights use their flight number.

Keep the aircraft nose 5-6 degrees above the horizon to keep a good glide ratio (ratio of horizontal distance covered to vertical height lost in a given time). Once you achieve a glide, watch out for vertical descent speed to get a rough idea of horizontal coverable distance on the ground. Fix a spot on ground to put the aircraft down. If an airstrip is nearby, adjust the descent appropriately. If over water, gently tilt the nose of the aircraft up and fly parallel to water level; let the aircraft encounter a swift interaction, after which it'll come to rest.

Look for the radio stack (on most popular jet airlines, it's on a pedestal behind the throttle quadrant to the left of the captain's seat). Then, change the STANDBY COM1 frequency to whatever you need, then swap the STANDBY frequency with the ACTIVE frequency by clicking a button that has two arrows (in most jet airliners, the button is located in between the STANDBY and ACTIVE frequency).

That's normal. You can't access the internet when your phone is in Airplane mode, and you're not supposed to since the wireless signal can indeed be disruptive to the plane. Do not deactivate it unless you are told that you can. Just bring other things with you to do on the plane.

No, it is not possible as they would not have the training required and necessary to do so.

Find somewhere else to land if possible. If the canyon is wide enough and there is no water in the middle of it and the ground is flat and you have no other option, land there. If you are forced to land in mountainous terrain, land parallel to the slope of the mountain. (i.e. not going up or down the face of the mountain but across it).

Nothing will happen, as long as you keep the aircraft steady.

First, try to grab another capable person. Then, try to get to the radio and send a mayday, and someone in the ground tower can walk you through the landing.

Look for rivers, lakes, etc. For example, in 2015, US Airways 1549 landed on the Hudson safely after a dual engine failure following a bird strike. All passengers survived. Just make sure you have notified ATC of your intent.

It depends on the different types of aircraft, weather condition, type of runway. That said, pilots normally use 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, etc.

If your engine cannot reboot, then you should first attempt to glide. Turn on your backup electric systems and try to control the glide ratio, throttle idle, and send a mayday message, but replace the "pilot incapacitated " with "uncontained engine failure" (state number of engines if capable).

Yes. Aircraft are normally fitted with an ALS system, use it for a better approach.

You want to try to land the plane belly-first. US Airways 1549 landed in the Hudson River a few years back, and all passengers survived.

Flaring is picking up the nose of the plane a bit before touchdown. It is to make sure the back wheels touch first, followed by the front.

Yes, it is possible. With the guidance of ATC, anyone can actually land a plane. However, while possible if all adults on board died while in flight, it would be highly unlikely that a 10-year old would be forced into this situation.

Yes, it is possible. The ATC will guide you all the way until landing. Anyone can land a plane with ATC's guidance.

Yes, after you've gotten your pilot's license.