Whats the hardest thing about flying an airplane?

Question

Is it landing?

Answer 1

really not hard at all to  actually fly, its paying for it that is difficult at times

Answer 2

its definitely landing...  and if you're flying an airplane, one way or another, you will land...

Answer 3

It's the landing.

Answer 4

Take-off and Landing.

Answer 5

Not crashing into someone or something.

Answer 6

It all depends on how you are flying the plane, eg. are you flying by GPS or by observation of key landmarks and a stopwatch.

But in most planes, the hardest part in flying has to be the landing, especially in harsh conditions such as stormy weather, crosswinds, low visibility etc.

Answer 7

engine torque

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

Terrorists.

Answer 10

Engine failure on takeoff.

Answer 11

Take off and landing and walking away from a crash.

Answer 12

Knowing your life hangs in the balance if something goes wrong at 1,000 feet or higher

Answer 13

Cash flow.

Answer 14

Not spilling your whiskey sour.

Answer 15

Wow!  I wonder how many of these answers are from people who know how to fly an airplane...  Seen only a few, from the way they answer...

It's true, landing can be diffcult, but that's why it's called landing.  You are no longer 'flying'.  To me (in mho) the hardest part of flying, is navigation, especially with strong winds.  Using a VOR is not easy, and if you have a strong crosswind, you can end up flying something other than a straight line - which can extend the time in flight.

Yes, the third dimension does make flying different - but it's really not that hard.  It is amazing how great it is to be able to do it, though.

Answer 16

There is nothing difficult about taking- off, flying, & or landing..  Learning all the detail to get the license is the hardest part..Really though the most difficult part is the $ Cost..Once you buy a plane. you're just getting started....Insurance, Hangar rent. fuel etc.

Answer 17

its amazing the response from people that never actually flew an airplane.

Actually flying an airplane is actully not that hard at the private level.

I would say the hardest part of actual flying  Instrument flight proceudures. Most Insturment rated pilots have a hard time with doing a proper DME arc, and others just flying a hold. But every PILOT will say somehting different, as some things are easier than others to each person, for me a good landing is a very big skill, but practiced quite often so it comes almost second nature, as with practice comes ease..  

But the hardest thing about being a pilot  is knowing  all the regulations. They are the backbone of any flight training and  commerical operation, and you have know them word for word, and they are easily forgotten, and always tested for.

the quote that rings true for any flight operation..

"When the weight of the paperwork, equals the weight of the airplane, its time to go fly"

Answer 18

it depends wut kind of airplane, my dad has a comanchi and the hardest thing, is landing it. because if u skrew up, ur dead there r no second chances! but like dont freak out bout it, u get use to it. oh and keeping ur air speed is a lil hard but not that bad, landing is the hardest, u hv to line it up perfectly!

Answer 19

Landing is much harder than taking off especially in a cross-wind situation.  Other than that most everything else is relatively easy once you learn to master the three axises of the craft and learn to always be aware of your air speed.  Also, learning all the various controllers and radio voice channels can be somewhat confusing at first as well as learning both dead-reckoning and radio navigation.

Answer 20

to me its getting an airplane

but i would try if someone let me

probably navigation

Answer 21

the hardest thing about flying an airplane is getting ur @ss in the captains seat

Answer 22

I have accompanied flights as a flight mechanic and gets to sit on the cockpit especially if the crew smoke, I think the hardest is landing. that is even if they're doing an auto landing they're hands and eyes  are still glued to the runway and to their control column or joystick.

Answer 23

The landing when doing a NDB approach to an airport on an island out in the middle of lake MI at night in the driving snow and heavy turbulence. Yes sir, please may I have another...

Answer 24

navigating and night time foggy zero visibility.

Answer 25

Being able to handle the unexpected in a calm, confident, efficient, and effective manner.

Answer 26

Ive been on 158 missions and was shot down on everyone of them. Come to think of it ,Ive never landed an airplane.

Answer 27

As the quote reads, "Flying is only the second greatest thrill known to man. Landing is the first."

Answer 28

Please ignore all the stupid answers from people who have no idea what they are talking about.  Making a consistantly good, smooth landing is absolutely the hardest part of flying an airplane.

Answer 29

I always think i might crash. I watch to many series about plane crashes and how No one survived.

Or that an assassin might be aboard

Answer 30

Most people will say landing, but I'd say it is radio communications. A lot of people learn to fly easily enough and do a passable job landing even after only a dozen or so hours of flight training, but the majority of non-professional pilots are pretty awful when it comes to proper communication procedures, proper phraseology, and understanding ATC instructions, even after they get their prvate license.

Answer 31

approaching the runway....