Shocking number of people think they could land an airplane. Well yea, people are completely delusional

[–] • 2 pts

As a pilot I know I can get it (large airliner) on the ground with a good chance of survival. The larger and more complex the aircraft the less likely a good outcome. That said, with assistance on the radio the chances move in your favor. Potentially, significantly so. Especially if intelligent and flight training is in your corner. The further removed from intelligent and pilot training the less likely a good outcome becomes. Though this also trends with the size and complexity of the aircraft.

That said, landing doesn't have to mean "safe" or that the aircraft is reusable after the landing. Getting the aircraft on the ground without an instant fireball is 90% of the battle. Getting it lined up with the runway and keeping it so is the primary determining factor for a good outcome.

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[–] • 2 pts

Commercial aviator in the family. And no, no you could not land a commercial jet lol.

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[–] • 1 pt

The people who think they can are the same ones who think it's possible for men to transform into women!

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[–] • 1 pt

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I've pondered this a few times over the years. I've never managed to have the right combination of free time and money to get my GA license but have gotten hands-on time with friends many times. I've also done DoD rotary-wing sim work for 25 years. I see the scenario as knowing how and where to control a few prerequisites (flaps, gear, engage or disengage automated flight aids, etc..) and then just attitude and power management. If I were able to get an instructor on the radio I think I could manage to follow instructions from there. The long pole for me would be establishing comms. With a good set of initial conditions (plane stable and on autopilot) I'd estimate maybe a 60-70% chance of success. Not a circumstance I'd ever want to be in unless it was a simulator, though. That I would love to test.

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I got stick time on Bell 206 in South America about a decade ago to test my simulator -to-real -world abilities. Had a chance to fly a pinnacle landing. I did great on the approach but transferred control for the last maybe 500 feet. Not stupid enough to try without a freeze button but have nailed it in the sim.

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[–] • 0 pt

You are in the minority with that experience. And it would still be ugly.

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[–] • 1 pt

Yeah, it probably would.

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[–] • 2 pts

Some of the more advanced jets can land themselves with a little help from a person.

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[–] • 1 pt

I could totally land a plane.

There is a good 10% chance I won't die, and an even greater 30% chance someone may be able to reuse parts of the plane!

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[–] • 1 pt

I've spent enough time playing fight simulators. I think I could land a small aircraft. It might get fucked up, but I'd be alive.

A commercial airliner, not so much. I've seen simulators that have a complete cockpit but I never got to use it. If I had spent some time on it, it might be a different story.