Why do small airplanes frequently cut off their engines while they are flying and coast for a minute?

Question

is this supposed to be a fun thing to do? I think its dangerous, Should I report airplanes that do that?

Answer 1

Airplanes don't normally shut off their engines.  However, they might set the engines to idle, which from a distance might sound like they are not running at all.

The same thing happens in jet airliners.  During descents the pilots will often set the engines to idle, and they may be so quiet that it sounds as if they are not running.  However, they are still running, and they are never turned off during normal flight.

Turning off the engine in a small airplane is a bit risky, because there's always a tiny chance that it won't start back up again.  Why tempt fate?

Answer 2

They shouldn't. A very bad practice if they do. Dangerous too.

What if it won't re-start?

Also you have the problem of rapid cooling which isn't good for the engine.

NOW, if your talking about the old movies which you see/hear the engines going off and on that's because some of the WWII planes had no throttle. They ran wide open and when you were on approach you would kill the engine to reduce the power. One was unable to control the RPM's with a throttle so the power was controlled by killing power to the engine.

But what you could be hearing is the engine being throttle back to idle while a stall is being preformed. The engine is not being shut off just throttled back.

Answer 3

Are they "cutting off" their engines or just going to idle power? If there is training going on, the instructor will occasionally pull the power back to idle in order to simulate an engine failure (usually at the most inopportune time.) The student will then have to set up his glide, head for whatever landing field that he can reasonably use, and go through the engine relight.

Power off stalls would be another reason to go to idle. In either case, there is training going on. It's really nothing to worry about. Not only is that type of training approved, it is encouraged.

Gotta give nick the thumbs up on that one. He types faster than I do!

Answer 4

That's not a common practice.

How are you so sure they're doing so?

Often a change in prop pitch'll make a loud cavitation, then sound very quiet, but the motor's still running, believe me.

Answer 5

It's not common practice.

If you live near an airport that offers flight

training, you might be hearing various training

exercises that require throttling back to idle.

Answer 6

I think what you are witnessing is a pilot practicing an emergency procedure. They simulate loss of power (by cutting the throttle...but not shutting off the engine) and need to decide a safe place to land asap. You do not need to report aircraft that do that. It is actually done to improve safety for the pilot and those on the ground.

Answer 7

First, by small airplane do you mean a regional commuter or a general aviation plane (4-6 seat). Second, how do you know that the engines were cut? Even in pilot training the pilot must identify a dead engine by using RPM and/or manifold pressure instruments, not by sound. If this was a commuter, you could definately report it to your local aviation authority, but only if you had actual proof that you were right. On the other hand, general aviation aircraft for training cut down to idle all the time to simulate emergencies. Hope this is useful

Answer 8

An airline would never cut their engine while carrying passengers unless they had an engine failure.  If they are on a training flight they have to by law be aware of what to do if they do experience loss of power or engine failure and how to re-start the engine while hopefully still in flight but this is done without the public on-board.  On the other hand pilots of small aircraft also have to learn the procedures of what to do during an engine failure and therefore, cut their power and then re-start the engine.  To the public this might be alarming but it is being done for a very good reason.