--- title: "How aircraft and flights work: clear answers — OnlyPlanes" description: "Why aircraft shake, how autopilot works, what flaps do, how much fuel an airliner uses and how fast it flies. Aviation explained clearly." canonical_url: "https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides" locale: en meta: keywords: "aviation, aircraft, airlines, airports, flight" "og:description": "Answers to passengers’ main questions about aircraft and flying." "og:image": "https://onlyplanes.ru/images/aviation/aircraft/boeing-787.webp" "og:title": "How aviation works — OnlyPlanes knowledge base" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://onlyplanes.ru/llms.txt) Aviation, clearly explained # How flight worksHow flight works Concise, accurate answers to questions that arise before, during and after a flight. We explain the physics, aircraft systems and crew actions without unnecessary complexity. 300 questions about flying ## What would you like to know? Find a question Found: 300
001Is turbulence dangerous, and can it break an aircraft’s wing?*+* The wing is designed for substantial loads and can flex noticeably. Crews try to avoid severe turbulence; injuries are more often associated with unbelted people and unsecured objects. Keep your seat belt fastened while seated, even when the sign is off.
002What happens if a bird enters an aircraft engine?*+* The consequences depend on the birds’ mass and number, speed and impact location. Engine damage and loss of thrust are possible. Crews follow procedures; multi-engine transport aircraft are designed to continue flight after an engine failure under specified conditions.
003Why are cabin lights switched off or dimmed for takeoff and landing?*+* This safety requirement helps human vision adapt. If an emergency occurs at night or at dusk, passengers’ and cabin crew members’ eyes will already be accustomed to the dark. This can save valuable seconds during an emergency evacuation.
004Why must window blinds be open for takeoff and landing?*+* Open blinds serve three safety purposes. First, crew and passengers can see conditions outside, such as an engine fire or fuel leak, and inform the pilots. Second, rescue services can see inside the cabin. Third, natural light helps eyes adapt more quickly to outdoor lighting during evacuation.
005Can a door or emergency exit be opened in flight?*+* At altitude, the pressure difference and locking mechanisms prevent an ordinary passenger door from opening. Near the ground, the pressure difference may be small, so saying it is impossible at every stage of flight is incorrect. Doors and exits are operated by the crew.
006Why must seat backs be upright before landing?*+* Upright seat backs leave legroom for passengers behind. In a hard landing or sudden stop, this helps passengers adopt the brace position more quickly and keeps evacuation routes clear of reclined seats.
007Where does aircraft toilet waste go during a flight?*+* Contrary to urban legends, toilet waste is not discharged outside during flight. It is collected in a sealed tank in the rear fuselage. The system uses vacuum, which explains the small amount of water and the distinctive loud flushing sound. The tank is emptied only on the ground at an airport by a dedicated waste-service vehicle.
008Where does cabin air come from, and is it safe?*+* The cabin mixes outside and recirculated air. Many airliners take outside air from engine compressors before the combustion chamber; some use separate electric compressors. HEPA filters clean the recirculated portion, and ventilation parameters depend on the aircraft model.
009Why do ears feel blocked during takeoff and landing, and what helps?*+* Cabin pressure changes during climb and descent, and the middle ear cannot always equalise quickly enough. Swallowing, yawning and small sips of water often help. If you have severe pain, an ear infection or recent surgery, discuss flying with a doctor.
010Can mobile phones and tablets be used in flight?*+* Devices in flight mode are usually permitted, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth subject to airline rules. You may be asked to stow larger devices for takeoff and landing. Follow crew announcements: permitted modes vary between aircraft and countries.
011What are the “golden hour” or the “three minutes of takeoff and landing”?*+* The “critical eleven minutes” is a popular term for the first three minutes after takeoff and the last eight before landing. It is a safety-awareness reminder rather than a universal definition of every critical phase of flight. During takeoff and landing, the crew concentrate on their duties.
012Where do oxygen masks drop from if cabin pressure is lost?*+* Masks deploy from panels above the seats when pressure drops; put them on and activate them as instructed. The oxygen source and operating time depend on the aircraft. The supply covers the emergency descent, which the crew conduct with terrain in mind.
013Why is smoking forbidden when aircraft toilets have smoke detectors?*+* Smoking creates a fire risk and worsens cabin air quality. Toilet smoke detectors and extinguishers provide additional protection, not permission to smoke. The ban usually includes electronic cigarettes.
014Can a lightning strike bring down a passenger aircraft?*+* Airliners have lightning protection: conductive elements help carry current along the outer structure. A strike can damage individual parts and require an inspection. Static dischargers reduce static charge accumulation; they are not the primary protection against lightning.
015What happens if an aircraft encounters severe hail?*+* Large hail can damage the radar dome, windows, engines and other aircraft parts. The dome is transparent to radar and is not an invulnerable shield. Crews use forecasts and onboard weather radar to avoid hazardous weather.
016What are the pointed “needles” on aircraft wings?*+* These metal pins on wing trailing edges and the tail are static dischargers. In flight, an aircraft accumulates static electricity through friction with air, dust and moisture. The dischargers release charge into the atmosphere, preventing radio interference in navigation equipment.
017Why do aircraft leave white trails in the sky?*+* A white trail usually consists of ice crystals formed when moist exhaust mixes with cold air. Its appearance and persistence depend on atmospheric temperature and humidity. The visible trail is a cloud of ice particles, rather than simply invisible water vapour.
018What is the actual probability of an aircraft accident?*+* Scheduled commercial aviation has a high level of safety. A numerical risk estimate depends on the year, region, operation type and whether incidents are counted per flight, passenger or distance. Comparing transport modes using a single unverified figure is misleading.
019What is wind shear, and why is it dangerous?*+* Wind shear is a sudden change in wind speed or direction over distance. It is hazardous at low altitude during takeoff or landing because it can abruptly reduce lift. Modern aircraft have onboard wind shear warning systems, and pilots undertake specific simulator training.
020Can people survive an aircraft crash?*+* The outcome depends on the nature of the accident, damage and opportunities for evacuation. Survival statistics across a broad range of accidents do not describe every crash. Read the safety card, keep your seat belt fastened and leave baggage behind during evacuation.
## From cruise to landing Speed and altitude, fuel consumption, wing operation and landing gear extension. [01**Passenger aircraft speed: 800–930 km/h**Cruising speed and the difference between airspeed and groundspeed.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/passenger-aircraft-speed) [02**Why airliners cruise at around 10 km**The benefits of cruising altitude and the connections between air density, engines and weather.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/flight-altitude) [03**How much fuel does an airliner use?**An example of A320 fuel consumption per flight and per hour: how the model, route and load change the figure.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/fuel-consumption) [04**Why aircraft need flaps**How high-lift devices help aircraft take off and land at lower speeds.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/flaps) [05**Why aircraft lower their landing gear before landing**When landing gear is extended, why it makes noise and how the system confirms it is locked.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/landing-gear) ## Weather and flight safety Turbulence, thunderstorms and a separate explanation of flying after an engine failure. [01**Why aircraft move in turbulence**What happens to the air, wings and passengers when an aircraft encounters turbulence.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/turbulence) [02**What happens when lightning strikes an aircraft**How current passes through the airframe and why aircraft still avoid thunderstorms.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/lightning-strike) [03**How aircraft can keep flying after an engine failure**How an airliner continues flying, what the crew do and why the wing keeps working.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/engine-failure) ## Questions about aircraft Autopilot, Boeing 777 weight and Airbus A320 capacity: read in any order. [01**How an aircraft autopilot works**What the system automates and why pilots continue to manage the flight.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/autopilot) [02**How much does a Boeing 777 weigh?**Why aircraft have several different weight values, and which one is relevant.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/boeing-777-weight) [03**How many passengers fit in an Airbus A320?**How travel classes and seat pitch change the capacity of the same aircraft.**](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/guides/airbus-a320-capacity) [Career**How to become a civil aviation pilot**Training, crew roles and work](https://onlyplanes.ru/en/pilots) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is turbulence dangerous, and can it break an aircraft’s wing?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The wing is designed for substantial loads and can flex noticeably. 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