Question regarding the path of a plane and safety?

Question

Hi Friends

My new job requires me to travel a lot by plane and I never enjoyed plane ride because of all the rough weather, bumpy rides etc.,

When you drive a car on a road you have a marked lane, rules to drive in a certain direction etc.,

But planes at that height will be travelling in all directions and I always wonder how anybody makes sure that two planes don't cross very close to each other. Added to that usually pilots put the plane on autopilot and so how do they avoid a plane hitting another plane in mid air?

Are there any good links that gives me some peace of mind :)

Bob

Answer 1

All aircraft flying above FL180 have an assigned altitude and course by ATC.  No one else is assigned that altitude if they are going a different direction.

Answer 2

OK Bob you brought up driving a car on a road with rules and such. Good, let's stay with that comparison. You think car drivers have alot of rules and direction? Just go to www.faa.gov. Now we're talkin rules my friend. Go to the federal aviation regulations and see all the rules pilots must follow to even get a pilot certificate. Think of it like this Bob  ten minutes into your thirty minute drive to the airport next time. You are far more likely to die in the next twenty minutes strapped in behind the wheel than anyone in the world already up in the air.

Answer 3

First of air travel is the safest form of tranpertation. There are people on the grond that make sure that planes won't crash into each other. This is called ATC. Their are people watch air traffic over all countries 24/7. To get an idea of how these systems work during a crisis or in general you should watch "United 93."

Answer 4

To simplify it, ATC knows where you are and assigns you altitudes to avoid collisions. Thats the primary thing that ATC does to avoid collisions. There are minimum and maximum altitudes for a specific airway in order to guarantee a certain amount of clearance from terrain also.

Answer 5

The crew in charge of your airplane are expert professionals who have your safety and comfort uppermost in their minds at all times.  They know how to use the airways system, and how to get you to your destination safely and comfortably.

Just trust the experts.  Lean back, listen to the music, and enjoy your flight.  You couldn't be more safe.

Answer 6

Bob,

What you've asked for is a complete explanation of the air traffic control system.  Let's start with the short version:  controllers on the ground observe the  flight path of aircraft within their control jurisdiction and ensure by whatever means necessary, such as instructing pilots to turn, climb, descend, change speed, etc. that aircraft are separated by at least the required minimums.  In addition, if the weather is favorable, pilots are required to look outside the cockpit for other traffic and to avoid it.  Finally if all else fails, there is a system on board air carrier aircraft that will alert a pilot if another aircraft is nearby, and will give the pilot last second instructions to avert a collision if two aircraft appear to be on a collision course.  That's air traffic control  and how aircraft are prevented from colliding in a nut shell.  There is much, much more to it, but those are some of the basics.  Relax and enjoy the trip - as the old saying goes: You're safer on board the aircraft than you are driving to the airport.