), especially since it's been over 30 years since I've flown. Perhaps Andre or Integral can put it into more understandable language.Danger said:The 'keeping his wits about him' wouldn't necessarily apply to such an experienced pilot merely because of a loss of visibility. The shock of suddenly being blind would, of course, be daunting, but maybe not any worse in an aeroplane than on the ground. I know that if it happened to me, I'd feel a lot better in the air than on a highway (given the caveat there's someone there to advise me, as this man had). At least you know that all other traffic is kept away from you.
For the actual touchdown, you can feel the ground-effect 'float' a few feet from the ground, which is used as a flare-time indicator more than visual input is.
This is very difficult to explain to a groundhog (non-pilot
And please know that I am not in any way making this out to be a mundane situation. Two exceptional pilots worked as one to put that machine on the ground safely, and they both deserve praise.
Quite right. I even experience that in a car if I'm a passenger, and have my eyes closed. It is definitely a deadly effect. That's why one must always trust the instruments over one's own senses, if they conflict. In this case, however, the guide pilot was in effect replacing the instruments. The afflicted pilot was wise enough to trust in his instructions.Cyrus said:
Danger said:
The problem is that it is a very accurate accelerometer but you can't tell the difference between acceleration and gravity.
The pilot experienced a sudden loss of vision due to a medical emergency. This could have been caused by a variety of factors such as a stroke, retinal detachment, or a severe migraine.
The pilot was able to rely on the instruments in the cockpit to safely land the plane. These instruments include an altimeter, airspeed indicator, and attitude indicator, which provide information about the plane's altitude, speed, and orientation respectively.
Yes, air traffic control and other pilots in the area were alerted to the situation and provided guidance and support to the blind pilot. They were able to communicate with the pilot through radio and guide them through the landing process.
Yes, there have been several instances in which a pilot has gone blind mid-flight. However, each situation is unique and depends on the pilot's training and the specific circumstances of the incident.
Commercial airlines require pilots to undergo regular medical exams to ensure they are fit to fly. In addition, pilots are trained to handle emergency situations and are required to have a co-pilot in the cockpit for added support. The instruments in the cockpit are also designed to be user-friendly and reliable in case of an emergency.