Convergence V34_March-April2016

The [F]light Side
Aviatricks
& Treats
Think you know everything there is in the aviation world? We have compiled some
fun facts about planes in general to test your knowledge and keep you entertained
as you cruise through the pages.
A Weather Predictor
Seen that trail of white, fluffy lines on the blue sky left behind
by a jet? They are called contrails and are made of water
vapour. And yes, it can be used to predict weather. Depending
on the plane’s altitude, the temperature and humidity of the
atmosphere, the contrails can vary in thickness and duration.
For instance, a thin, short-lived contrail signifies low-humidity
and fair weather while a thick, long-lasting contrail indicates
humid air and can be an early indicator of a storm.
fail-safe Plane Door
You’ve seen it in movies, but in reality plane doors
are impossible to open during mid-flight. As the
plane takes off, the cabin starts to pressurise, thus
generating a greater pressure within the plane in
comparison to the exterior. That aside, the doors
are designed to be fail-safe. So, to open an aircraft
door, you will have to move it in and turn slightly
before it can be pushed out. It is pretty hard, really,
to open the door given the amount of lock and
pressurised condition it is under. At least now, you
don’t have to worry about some crazy trying to open
a door mid-flight.
Lights In, Lights Out
Ever wonder why the lights are turned off
during takeoff and landing? It is to help your
eyes get accustomed to the low-light settings.
This is important in the event of an emergency,
especially when the interior lights are out. It
enables you to see better in such occasion
and therefore prompt you to evacuate under
safe conditions.
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