News & Articles
Facts About Flying Fears
Unknown Noises - What are
They?
Many people are frightened
of the noises they hear during flight because they don't know where
they are coming from and why.
All sorts of scary images
can flash in the mind when something is unknown. The brain then
compensates for unknown facts and fills in the spaces with memories
of things we do know and remember. These could be memories of a
scary film or TV program, stories passed on by others or from related
books and news articles.
Noises Explained!
Most plane noises can be easily explained. They
can come from many sources:
-
Vibrations and whirring sounds during the retraction
of the landing gears.
-
Slamming sounds from the loose articles in
the galley during take off.
-
Power reduction engine noise after airborne
to comply with the noise abatement procedures in certain airports.
-
The air-conditioning noise may change to cater
for the cooling or heating needs.
-
The Tik, Tik, Tik sound you may hear five minutes
prior to landing, from the operation of the landing flaps.
All these noises are normal and are nothing to
worry about. Any abnormal noise would be picked up by the Flight
Attendants and they would in turn notify the Captain. If you sat
near to the engines, the noise level is usually higher than elsewhere.
Planes do rattle a little because of vibrations
on loose articles in the galley or luggage not properly secured.
In turbulences, the wing tips do flex a little and they are designed
to do so to absorb the vibrations.
During the development stages of the Boeing 777,
the wings only broke down after it was stressed and bent about 24
feet at the tips in the test rig! During a trial in the development
stages of the Boeing 747, the wings were stressed and bent as much
as 22 feet before it gave way!
The total weight of the airplane does not play any
major part in the noise of the airplane, except during take off,
more power is required and that may contribute to the noise level.
In addition to the noise from the vibrations, you
can also hear some reduction of noise if you are sitting near the
engines when the power is reduced slightly as the airplane enters
turbulence. Rest assured that, although turbulences are scary to
some, being shaken a little is normal for air travel. You only need
to be concerned when you are not fastened to you seat belts during
turbulences or when you did not properly secure your luggage at
the overhead bins!
As a child you may have loved flying because you
were not influenced or affected by the media on air accidents and
terrorism. You became anxious as an adult because everyday brings
news of stepped-up airline and airport security and occasionally,
an air accident somewhere in the world.
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Fear
of Flying Help Noises
Sounds from Aircraft
If you have never travelled on an aircraft before, the
sound clips below will give you an insight into some of the noises
you may hear during your flight.
Click on the wave images
to hear the sounds!
| Pre-Take
Off |
 |
Winter Ice Removal
Announcement |
 |
Electronics Switch-Off Announcement |
 |
On Board Safety Announcement |
| Take
Off |
 |
Engine Warm Up
& Take Off |
 |
Take Off &
Landing Gear Up |
| During
Flight |
 |
Low Level
Cabin Noise |
 |
Seatbelt & Food Announcement |
| Pre-Landing |
 |
Gatwick Approach
Announcement |
| Landing |
 |
Landing Gear
& Landing |
 |
Landing & Runway Taxi
Messages |
| After
Landing |
 |
After Landing
Announcement |
Click
here for other fear of flying help
noises caused by weather |
