Welcome aboard! Each week, I answer questions from anxious flyers — real people just like you — who are curious, nervous, or just wondering “What’s going on up there?”
As a pilot, I’ve heard these questions countless times, and my goal is to help you feel calmer, safer, and more informed — because knowledge is a great co-pilot. ✈️
👇 This Week’s Questions:
💬 Question #1: "Why do the lights dim during takeoff and landing?"
✈️ That’s a safety precaution. Dimming the lights helps your eyes adjust to outside light in case of an emergency. Think of it like prepping your vision — if we ever needed to evacuate, your eyes wouldn’t be adjusting from bright cabin lighting to the dark outside. It’s a simple step that boosts safety
.
💬 Question #2: "What are diversion airports enroute and at departure or destination?"
✈️ Diversion airports are alternates we plan in advance in case something prevents us from landing at the original destination. At departure, we brief a nearby airport in case of an early return in case of bad weather for take-off. During the flight, we always have a list of suitable enroute alternates if we need to divert due to a medical emergency or a technical issue. And near the destination, we choose backups based on weather, traffic, and runway conditions.
🧭 You're never in the air without a solid plan B — or C.
💬 Question #3: "Do airplanes only carry fuel from the departure to the destination airport?"
✈️ Not at all. By law, we always carry more than just enough fuel for the route. We include fuel for:
🕒 Holding delays
⛈️ Weather such as Thunderstorms or Fog
🛬 A diversion to an alternate airport
🛡️ A final reserve for safety
In other words: we never take off without multiple backup options and enough fuel to get there safely — and beyond.
I need to stop using the line about the second engine. 😉🤣