An American Airlines captain has finally revealed what that uncomfortable “sinking” sensation really means in a Q&A on TikTok. And it often happens during take-off
There’s a lot you might have wondered about on a flight. From the clever reason your seat won’t recline to whether cabin crew use any secret language among themselves to communicate.
Now let’s turn our attention to the scary bit that is take-off. While most people should know there’s a procedure, like seatbelts should be fastened and window blinds must remain up for the duration, but have you ever wondered what that sunken feeling you might have experienced within seconds of leaving the airport? One pilot has finally explained what that unusual feeling is really about – and it’s not necessarily bad.
American Airlines Captain Steve has worked for a number of companies in his successful career and just recently launched a Q&A session with his 405,000 TikTok followers.
Someone recently asked: “Why does the plane sometimes feel like it’s sinking about a minute into take-off?”
In a video, which garnered 35,400 likes and hundreds of comments, he told fans it’s all to do with retracting the flaps.
He explained: “Now sometimes it’s because I’ve got what is called the noise abatement procedure.
“Some high density areas where rich people live might make a fuss and when you watch it at take-off at a certain steep angle and then once you get over their houses, they want you to pull the power back.
“When I do get to that point in the climb where I begin to retract the flaps, the power goes from take-off power to climb power.
“This is a reduced power setting so you hear it first, feel it a little in your seat and then the nose starts to come over at the same time I’m trying to retract the flaps so the plane pedals a little bit – that’s an uncomfortable feeling.”
Captain Steve reassured viewers there’s absolutely nothing to be concerned about when you experience that strange sensation in your seat.
He added: “It’s because I’m accelerating at this point so it’s a weird sensation and think you’re dropping when you’re actually accelerating.”
Usually the noise reduction procedure involves modifying an aircraft’s typical flight path or operations to limit noise disturbance on communities surrounding an airport.
It occurs – as Steve outlined – by utilising the flap retraction and ascending more steeply to reach altitude rapidly, which lessens noise for people living below.
Numerous viewers were impressed by the straightforward explanation, with one commenting: “What a wonderful pilot.”
Another confessed: “It’s the worst feeling. I have to close my eyes and block my ears as it’s too overwhelming.”
While a third added: “I always hold my breath when this happens. I will never get used to it.”
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