Welcome back! Each week, I answer real questions from nervous flyers — because the more you understand about flying, the less there is to fear. Whether it’s a weird sound, a sudden turn, or a light that came on mid-flight, I’m here to explain it calmly and clearly.
👇 This Week’s Questions:
💬 Question #1: “Why does the plane sometimes bank or turn right after takeoff?”
✈️ Great observation. Right after takeoff, pilots follow a planned departure route — kind of like lanes in the sky. That turn helps us safely separate from incoming traffic, avoid noise-sensitive areas, or follow terrain. It’s completely normal and part of our flight plan. See a video of an airplane turning: Airplane banking after Take-off
💬 Question #2: “Why do I sometimes hear a loud thump or clunk after takeoff or before landing?”
✈️ That’s usually the landing gear retracting or extending — a perfectly normal sound. It’s a heavy mechanical system locking into place. Think of it like the thump of a car door closing. It’s just your aircraft getting ready for the next phase of flight
💬 Question #3: “Why do pilots sometimes make announcements in the middle of the flight?”
✈️ We like to keep you in the loop. Mid-flight announcements might be about turbulence ahead, updated arrival times, weather at destination, or routing changes from air traffic control. If you hear from us, it’s not a sign something’s wrong — it’s just part of keeping you informed and comfortable.
🛬 More questions? Hit reply or leave a comment — I read them all.
Pilot Nick
Lessons from the Flight Deck