Air travel can be a nerve-wracking experience for many, with the various sounds and movements of the aircraft often causing anxiety.
However, a deeper understanding of these noises and their purpose can help alleviate these fears.
Riyadh Khalaf, a self-proclaimed "aviation nerd", recently posted a video on his TikTok channel @riyadhkhalaf, explaining some of these "scary" plane noises. The video, which has garnered over 3.9 million views since its posting on March 18, has been praised for its accuracy by airline pilot Kyle Koukol.
Based in San Francisco, Koukol is the founder of Dial a Pilot, a service that allows anxious flyers to book 15-minute calls with a pilot to help ease their fears about flying. He commended Khalaf's video, stating that it was "just about spot on with everything."
Fear of flying is a common phenomenon, with a June 2021 study revealing that it affects approximately 10 to 40 percent of people in the industrialized world. This fear is not entirely unfounded, as a June 2023 study published in Nature Climate Change showed that clear-air turbulence (CAT) has increased over the past 40 years, particularly over the U.S. and North Atlantic, both of which are busy flight regions. The study also projected that CAT is likely to intensify due to future climate change.
In his video, Khalaf explains some of the mechanical noises that passengers may notice during takeoff. He describes the sound of the flaps on the wings going down, which helps the plane take off at a slower speed, and the engine powering up to move the plane towards the runway. He also points out the cabin dings, which signal to the cabin crew that takeoff is imminent.
As the engines spool up, Khalaf explains, they are brought up to about 30 percent power slowly to prevent flooding with too much fuel, before being brought up to full takeoff power. Koukol confirmed this, stating that the throttles are pushed up to an intermediate percentage to allow the engines to spool up simultaneously, which helps prevent any asymmetric thrust during the takeoff roll, crucial for maintaining control of the aircraft.
Khalaf also addresses the thumping noises heard as the plane speeds along the runway, explaining that these are simply the nose gear or nose wheel going over the lights in the middle of the runway. Koukol added that these runway centerline lights are critical for navigation and safety, especially in low-visibility conditions.
The thumping indicates that the aircraft is in the center of the runway, in "a very, very safe zone," according to Khalaf. Once the nose gear lifts off the ground, the plane is airborne and the noise subsides.
One of the most anxiety-inducing moments for passengers, Khalaf says, is the "little dip" felt shortly after takeoff. This dip, known as "thrust reduction," is when the engines transition from takeoff power to climb power. This adjustment reduces wear on the engines and lessens noise pollution, making the areas surrounding airports more pleasant.
Koukol explained that this altitude may also correspond with the altitude at which the flaps start to retract, allowing the plane to fly faster. This may cause a mechanical 'whirring' noise and a very slight sinking feeling.
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