Chatting with friends, we always seem to come back to the same topics: “Is Airbus or Boeing safer?” “Are ANA flights stable?” “Are big planes safer than small planes?” “Which planes won’t make my ears hurt?” “Which aircraft model is the quietest?” And so on.

I’m not a professional, so naturally I can’t give authoritative answers to these questions. But speaking from my own experience, flying is not only safe but actually enjoyable. So today, I’ll jot down some thoughts on these casual topics.

1 “Which aircraft is the quietest?”

I honestly don’t know, but the noisiest experience I’ve ever had was undoubtedly on the Hawker Siddeley Trident, made in the UK in the 1960s. The roar of its Spey engines was completely ineffective to block out, even with both hands tightly covering my ears. After years of “conditioning” by the Trident, whether it’s the juggernaut of passenger planes like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380, or fighters like the F14, F15, F/A18, F22, Su27, or J11, their noise doesn’t bother me at all.

By the way, the Trident was the first airliner in the world with an autoland capability. Most people probably don’t know that. Why is autoland important? For example, when landing in heavy fog, the human eye cannot see where the Runway is, but via radio waves, the instruments on the plane can automatically locate the Runway and land safely. This technology existed back in the 1960s. Pretty impressive, don’t you think?

2 “I’m scared to fly after experiencing long-lasting turbulence”

Once, I flew from Beijing to Tokyo, right into a typhoon. Just after leaving Korean airspace, the plane started to shake. It rocked all the way until landing in Tokyo, for over an hour and a half. Not a single minute passed without turbulence.

The pilot knew to avoid the strongest part of the typhoon and specifically changed the Airway. They also lowered the altitude during the flight to choose a route with less turbulence. I am quite sensitive to changes in the aircraft’s Attitude; whenever I sensed a Turn or the engine sound lowering, I would check the flight data. Of course, the average person would naturally be nervous. I could hear a lady in the back row quietly sobbing and praying the whole way, and she didn’t stop until after the plane landed.

I feel that turbulence is also a matter of adaptation. As I wrote in Cessna C172 Flight Training in Hawaii (Real Flight):

Also, the turbulence today was really severe, up and down; my feeling was like sitting in a small boat, drifting on a stormy sea...

I could say that after experiencing long periods of turbulent flight, I have a deeper understanding of the structural safety of the aircraft, and I can face the various shakes in the air with more composure.

3 “Which aircraft/airline is the safest?”

2017 was the safest year for flying: only 111 accidents worldwide, 13 deaths

Aviation technology has developed to a fairly mature stage. Regardless of the size of the plane, there is basically little difference. It’s better not to let your imagination run wild with low-probability events like plane crashes.

However, there is no absolute safety in the world. As a passenger, I make sure to do the following: Follow the cabin crew’s instructions; Watch the safety demonstration and video carefully; Do not complain about the airline or relevant departments due to flight delays (after all, it is for safety); Pay attention to any abnormalities inside or outside the aircraft; Do not rely on luck, and do not bring any dangerous goods on board; Keep my seatbelt fastened throughout the flight; Buy insurance; And so on.

Starting with myself, having everyone participate in aviation safety is likely the most important thing.

4 “Ears hurt during Climb and Descent”

A friend said that every time he flies, it is torture. Because his ears hurt severely. One time, he went straight to the hospital after getting off the plane. The pain lasted a week before subsiding.

I deeply sympathize with friends who suffer from aerotitis media (air otitis media). It is even more pitiable for children. Therefore, it is best not to fly when you have a cold. Drinking beverages slowly during the Climb and Descent. This kind of common-sense experience might be quite useful for most people.

China Eastern Airlines Travel FAQ

Prevention of aerotitis media: Effective measures are opening the mouth and swallowing; closing the mouth and covering the ears is strictly forbidden. However, opening your mouth or constantly swallowing saliva, although effective for prevention, is not elegant, so flights generally provide gum or candy for passengers. The principle is that chewing gum or candy keeps the Eustachian tube open, reducing oral pressure. Therefore, eating is an effective, relaxing, and pleasant measure to prevent aerotitis media. If symptoms persist, you can use your thumb and index finger to pinch your nose, close your mouth tight, and exhale forcefully, using the airflow from inside to force open the Eustachian tube and enter the middle ear cavity, eliminating symptoms like ear blockage, heaviness, and pain.

As the aircraft continuously ascends in the sky, the air becomes thinner and atmospheric pressure drops rapidly. The drop in cabin pressure causes a blocking sensation in the ears. A few people may even experience temporary hearing impairment and ear canal pain. The cause of these symptoms should be explained starting with the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is a curved and narrow tube connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx; one end opens into the middle ear, and the other opens into the side wall of the nasopharynx. Normally, the Eustachian tube is closed and only briefly opens during swallowing, yawning, chewing, or sneezing. Thus, it plays a role in maintaining the balance of air pressure between the middle ear cavity and the outside world. When the plane is Climbing or Descending, the change in atmospheric pressure causes abnormal pressure in the middle ear tympanic cavity, pressuring and blocking the Eustachian tube. This cuts off the air passage to the middle ear, creating negative pressure in the middle ear cavity, causing symptoms like ear canal blockage, tinnitus, ear swelling, and hearing loss.

Therefore, eating candy and other foods during takeoff and landing, and constantly performing chewing and swallowing actions, allows the Eustachian tube to open and close at any time. Air can freely enter and exit the middle ear cavity, keeping the internal pressure of the middle ear and the external atmospheric pressure in a normal balanced state, and ear discomfort will be alleviated or disappear.