PILOTS: Have you every been a scared passenger?

Question

Have you PILOTS ever been a passenger in a large aircraft and actually been thoroughly scared by a maneuver during the flight? This could include strange decisions by the captain or extreme weather anomalies that would make you p*** your pants if your were up front.

How did you deal with it? Did you file a complaint? Are you still alive?

Answer 1

I am currently getting my private's certificate (On my way to Commercial pilot) Im 16 years old and I remember when I was 12 I flew to Mexico on this little airplane (I can't recall the model) and we flew right into a mild storm and the airplane starded shaking like the wings were going to be riped out. Thats it the only time i have been scared in an airplane. I am always weary in an aiplane though, like every other pilot.

Answer 2

Flying with a friend we at 3000 ft. he watched insturments me chart I look up see a twin engine prop right ahead same atltitude,I point so he wouldn't fight the controls he pushes forward twin goes above us 20 ft.That was close.

Answer 3

I sleep much better when I'm driving...

Only a couple times, and you go talk to the Captain and find out why and what you didn't know that happened.  If the answers are wrong or there's an attitude, most airline pilot unions have a Professional Standards committee you can get in touch with.

And aviation is a VERY small world....

Answer 4

Once when we were climbing out and passed the cloud deck, I glanced out the window and saw another plane flash by going the opposite direction with less than a quarter mile of separation. I was not too concerned really, just surprised. I bet someone got scolded for that.

Answer 5

as a passenger, the worst thing i had to go through was landing in a snow storm.. the captain was nice enough to brief us before we landed. he basically said that we are probably gonna land harder pretty hard and then slip and slide down the runway as we try to slow down..  and thats exactly what we did.. this was long before i got my wings.. if he hadnt briefed us.. i probably would have pooped my pants.. but since i knew what to expect.. i was able to clench my cheeks and hold it in..

Answer 6

no ........no ..and no ..........???

Answer 7

I'm a control freak and do NOT like being a passenger. I am always questioning (in my mind) why the captain is doing what he's doing. I keep it to myself though, it would just cause needless concern for other passengers.

Answer 8

No, never

u got to trust pilots

Answer 9

The pros have way more experience than I do, but I have been scared twice flying with other private pilots.

Once was a flight in instrument conditions where the pilot was clearly clueless as to how to execute the instrument approach. I was having to do things for him to keep him from going over red-line airspeed and from descending below the minimum descent altitude.

The other was a case where the autopilot roll servo failed and the airplane (a twin-engine Beech Baron) started to roll into a very steep bank. I didn't know what was going on and asked the pilot what he was doing. He took his hands off the yoke and said, "It's not me it's the auto-pilot!" I looked over and we were rolling past 60 degrees. I reached over and punched the  button to kill the autopilot, then took his yoke and rolled the plane out into level flight. (This was one of the older Baron's with a throw-over yoke so I didn't have one on my side.)

Answer 10

i understand 2 much about this stuff and i really cant be scared on a flight unless full hydrolic fairlure now thats scary

but i havee not been scared like due 2 windy condentions i understand a crosswind landing really freaky u should look up vids of crosswind landings on youtube their verry intersting