What happens if pilots fall asleep while flying?
What happens if pilots fall asleep while they are flying?
If both pilots fall asleep or become unconscious with no interference the aircraft would continue its present programmed flight plan. This is assuming we are talking about a passenger jet with an auto-pilot. The auto-pilot would continue to control the aircraft until it ran out of fuel. Unfortunately, the auto-pilot would be unable to make a “gliding landing” and the outcome would be an uncontrolled flight into terrain.
Autoland
Yes, an aircraft can actually land by itself without any manual flying required. Doing an autoland will of course be subject to what equipment is installed on the aircraft. It will also be down to the availability of equipment at the airport. It is only major airports like Capital airports that are likely to have this type of equipment. For an aircraft to be able to land automatic certain manual inputs would be required from the flight deck but none of these actually require you to “fly the aircraft”. The flying is done by autopilot but you would need to program it to make a successful landing.
Can you control a passenger airliner from the ground?
No. There is no current procedure allowing for example someone on the ground to take over the control of a passenger plane. where a passenger plane can be controlled
Procedures if pilots fall asleep while they are flying
If the pilots become unconscious or fall asleep the first challenge would be detection.
Most modern aircraft have systems to warn the pilots if they don’t make any corrections or alterations during a period of 30 minutes. It is like a loud horn, designed to warn the pilots.
The cabin attendants are also required to check on the flight deck every 30 minutes to make sure they are okay, by either calling them or physically enter the flight deck and check.
Finally, Air Traffic Control will try to contact a flight at regular intervals, and if for some reason, two-way communication is lost, and no other means of communication have been established (We have many procedures to follow in such cases, making Air Traffic Control aware of our inability to contract them) they might send a military aircraft to intercept us and establish visual contact and try to communicate with us.
Pilot working schedules
Pilots work according to very strict schedules and there are rules to govern our levels of alertness. That way it is unlikely we would fall asleep during a flight. On long flights the flight crew and be augmented with additional pilots in order to allow inflight rest. For aircraft that cover long distances, there are special areas where the crew can take a nap or sleep.
Is a pilot falling asleep a serious matter?
Yes, ff a pilot falls asleep on the flight deck without it being part of a standard operating routine, it is a serious matter and would be reported.
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