As with all major industries, aviation has its fair share of myths and legends. Some of the stories have a speck of truth, and are simply incorrectly repeated information. Other stories are nothing short of completely ridiculous, perhaps dreamed up as an elaborate practical joke. Either way, here are some of the most commonly believed aviation myths that are simply not true.
The Emergency Door Dilemma
There is a long running myth that the emergency door in passenger planes is a death sentence. Various myths tell of panicked passengers ripping open the door mid-flight, taking multiple innocent bystanders along as they fly into the skies to their deaths. But rest assured these stories are nonsense.
Given that passenger planes are pressurised it is virtually impossible to open the emergency door while in-flight. More to the point, emergency doors are secured.
Tray In The Upright Position
Everyone knows that you must have your tray table in the upright position during take-off and landings Because the trays somehow interfere with the plane’s balance, making it more difficult for the pilot to fly?
Of course not. Because during take-off and landing there is the possibility of turbulence. Anyone lurching forward during turbulence will be very grateful their tray is in the upright position, for obvious reasons.
Turbulence Is Cause For Alarm
Speaking of turbulence, it can be extremely dangerous, right? Not at all. Turbulence is not only expected, it is entirely harmless the vast majority of the time. It is possible that turbulence will seem unpleasant, perhaps even jolting passengers in their seats, but there is absolutely nothing to worry about.
Your Phone Is Dangerous
Phones must be turned off during take-off and landing because they interfere with the sensitive avionic equipment, and therefore using phones is dangerous. Right? There are a number of reasons that phones are required to be switched off and put away, with turbulence again being a concern. Imagine several hundred passengers playing Australian slots online, only for a violent jolt to send phones flying around like projectiles.
Additionally, flight staff also want passenger’s attention during the emergency briefings. Attention is required at least long enough that passenger’s know where the emergency exits are.
Planes Can Explosively Depressurise
Thanks to movies many believe that a tiny hole can result in a plane explosively depressurising. Not only is this not true, it happens to be amongst the most commonly believed aviation myths of all time. Needless to say, Hollywood has told some fibs in this regard.
A hole in a plane’s fuselage, no matter how unlikely, would be a concern. The pilot would certainly seek to make a landing as soon as possible. But no, a small hole will not suddenly cause the plane to break into pieces, sending passengers soaring if into the abyss.
Planes Are Dangerous
Many know this these days, but air travel is statistically the safest way to travel, by a long shot. Traveling in a car is dramatically more dangerous. Those afraid of flying really need to do some research.
