From P. J. SEVERN
In ‘How pilots avoid volcanic clouds’ (Technology, 13 April), we are
told that aircraft with total engine failure either plunge or plummet. No
so. They glide until the engines can be restarted.
Indeed, according to the KLM example given in the article, the quoted
near-miraculous rate of descent of 160 feet per minute would give an aircraft
at normal cruising altitude a comfortable 3.5 hours before making contact
with something solid.
I do not suggest that a total loss of power is a trivial event and,
at the very least the pilots are going to incur a significant laundry bill.
However, using words which suggest that, unpowered, an aircraft will do
an immediate impression of Newton’s apple is helpful to no one.
P. J. Severn Cornwall College Redruth, Cornwall
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