What is the 70/50 rule in aviation?
It’s a landing performance guideline: by 50% of the runway, the aircraft should be slowed to about 70% of landing speed. If not, a go-around is the safer choice.
What are the 5 C’s in aviation?
Commonly used in safety thinking: Climb, Communicate, Confess, Comply, Conserve—a simple way to prioritize actions in abnormal situations
What is the 1% rule in aviation?
For descent planning, multiply your ground speed by 1% to estimate descent angle (roughly 3°), helping pilots calculate when to start descending.
What are the 4 types of risk in aviation?
Typically grouped as:
- Operational (flight conditions, procedures)
- Technical (aircraft systems)
- Environmental (weather, terrain)
- Human (pilot decision-making, fatigue)
Why avoid seat 11A on a plane?
On some aircraft, this seat lacks a window or has limited visibility due to structural placement.
What is a female pilot called?
Simply a pilot—aviation uses gender-neutral titles.
Why don’t pilots fly at 10,000 feet?
It’s less efficient for fuel and speed; higher altitudes offer smoother air and better engine performance.
What is the 3:1 rule for pilots?
For descent: lose 3 nautical miles for every 1,000 feet of altitude you need to descend.
Is 6'4" too tall to be a pilot?
Usually not, but cockpit size and aircraft type can impose limits, especially in smaller planes.
What is the 90-second rule in aviation?
Aircraft certification requires that passengers can evacuate within 90 seconds using half the exits.
What is the 1/2–2/3 rule in aviation?
Used in fuel planning: no more than two-thirds of fuel should be used before turning back, leaving a safety margin.
What are the 4 pillars of safety in aviation?
- Policy
- Risk management
- Assurance
- Promotion
Why can’t pilots fly after 65
Airline transport pilots face age limits due to international safety regulations and medical risk considerations.
What does “5x5x5” mean in aviation?
A situational awareness rule: assess traffic or hazards within 5 miles, 5 minutes, and ±5,000 feet.
What is ABCD in aviation?
A simple prioritization tool: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, then Delegate/Diagnose.
What are the four W’s in aviation
Often used in briefings: Who, What, Where, When.
Do pilots age out?
Yes—commercial pilots must retire at a set age, but private flying can continue longer depending on medical fitness.
Is flying the safest form of travel?
Yes—commercial aviation has one of the lowest accident rates per mile traveled.
What causes most aviation accidents?
Human factors—especially decision-making errors—are the leading cause.