I've always been a big fan of PBS's Frontline. It's obvious that they study a subject before they report on it. And as any pilot knows, that can be a rarity in the often hyped television coverage of the airline industry.
Frontline has tackled specific airline subjects in ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Plane Answers
Plane Answers: The Frontline episode regional airlines don't want you to see
I've always been a big fan of PBS's Frontline. It's obvious that they study a subject before they report on it. And as any pilot knows, that can be a rarity in the often hyped television coverage of the airline industry.
Frontline has tackled specific airline subjects in ...Plane Answers: NTSB glosses over fatigue in the Colgan crash
As a pilot, I feel the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has failed me. They're tasked to investigate accidents and report on them so the aviation community can hopefully avoid similar mistakes. They also submit recommendations to the FAA for changes they feel will ...Plane Answers: Follow up questions to 'So you want to be a pilot.'
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away!
We've received a lot of follow up questions to the Plane Answers ...Plane Answers: So you want to be a pilot? Here's how.
Michael asks:
I am an aspiring airline pilot and I was wondering what were the steps you took to get hired with the airlines. So far I am 15 and starting my flight training with the Civil Air Patrol.
So you want to be a pilot? You've probably read the stories of the ...Plane Answers: Announcements from the captain and Denver turbulence
Rich asks:
Hi Kent, I love your blog and it has really helped me to relax when flying. When I was a kid and used to fly it seemed as though the flight deck would regularly update passengers about what was going on with the trip, the plane, etc. Now it seems as though most ...Plane Answers: Civilian vs. military pilot — which one is better?
Nathanial asks:
Hi Kent,
My dad has been an airline pilot for a major carrier for over 25 years and also fly's the 757/767, he was also a naval aviator for 10 years before that. He talks about the difference in pilots that were trained in the military vs. the civilian ...Plane Answers: Three inexpensive ways to make flying safer
The culture in aviation has always been focused around how to make flying even more safe. The FAA, NTSB and even Congress are looking into ways to improve air safety after the 49 people were killed in the Colgan Air accident in February–the only fatal accident in the ...Plane Answers: 5 things to look for on your next flight
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O.K., I'll admit it. Flying has become a monotonous chore that few look forward to. As a frequent flyer, you're probably more ...Plane Answers: A closer look at technology in the Northwest overflight
I've had a few questions come in concerning the rather egregious error made by the Northwest pilots last week. I hesitated to discuss the incidents, since there's absolutely no defending what they did. But when my own sister Kim, asks: "I would love to hear your opinion as ...Plane Answers: Is there a pilot shortage coming?
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away! Justin asks: I have seen advertisements lately that have been ...Plane Answers: Airlines see green in appearing green
You'd like to choose the most eco-friendly airline, a company that goes above and beyond the others to fly efficiently, burn less fuel and maybe even offset its carbon. But does an airline like that exist? Airlines have gone to great lengths to operate efficiently in their ...Plane Answers: What preparation does a pilot do prior to a flight?
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away! John asks: Hey, I was wondering what pilots do before a flight. How ...Plane Answers: Why can't airlines wait at the gate vs. in a queue on the taxiway?
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Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about ...Plane Answers: Do jets have keys, my first airline flight and overwing exits
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away! Lee asks: Hi Kent - Two items, please... Silly question here, but ...Plane Answers: Wing inspection lights and a recent severe turbulence encounter
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away! Alex asks: Hi Kent, I recently flew on a 737 and returned on a ...Plane Answers: Pilot asks, "Is there anyone on board with internet access?"
It just might surprise you to know that when sitting on the ground, waiting out a line of thunderstorms, we don't have access to depictions of real-time weather updates. We can fire up the radar and look ahead for 40 or so miles, but there's just no way to know if a re-route ...Plane Answers: Who sets crew rest rules and are MD-80s safe?
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away! John asks: Are commercial airline pilots allowed to be flying for up ...Plane Answers: A heavy question
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away! Ken asks: I hope this is the appropriate place to ask this question. ...Plane Answers: Zeroing in on a few airplane systems
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away! Jason asks: On a recent round trip on board 757-200s, when we would ...Plane Answers: How safe are oxygen generators and my dream airplane.
Welcome to Gadling's feature, Plane Answers, where our resident airline pilot, Kent Wien, answers your questions about everything from takeoff to touchdown and beyond. Have a question of your own? Ask away! Luke asks: I happened to catch a show the other night about the ...
