The Windowless Plane

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Air travel has evolved over its many years. From humble beginnings with smoking sections and brightly colored stewardesses to televisions in every headrest and in-flight internet; the way we fly has become as important as the destinations we choose to visit. That’s why Airbus’s recent announcement has dropped more than its fair share of jaws, as they look to turn the way we get to our vacation into a mini-adventure unto itself.

For many who enjoy flying, the window seat is the coveted location among the rows. Pressed against the plexiglass, thousands of feet above the earth, cities look little more than models, and endless hours of toil seem to drift away as you climb further above the clouds. But what if you didn’t have to worry about missing your window seat? What if the entire plane afforded everyone the most picturesque view imaginable?

Michael ZaporzanDesigners have begun work on the aircraft of tomorrow, simultaneously addressing a problem and adding a unique feature. Removing the windows from a standard aircraft not only reduced weight but further streamlines the fuselage and reduces fuel consumption. Not wanting to deprive frequent flyers of their favorite view, LCD screens along the walls of the aircraft, and on the backs of every seat will project the 35,000-foot view without ever cracking a window. The lightweight and large screens will not only consume power efficiently but remove that blinding glare from a sun unhindered by clouds.

Sounding like something straight from our favorite science fiction, this plan for a futuristic plane is more environmentally driven than most understand. Aircraft emissions make up a staggeringly large amount of pollution pumped into our atmosphere, and the move to reduce their carbon footprint of up to 85% spurred inventors to dream this simple solution. As we march steadily into the future, and more of our modes of transportation become automated, the next item to be made outdated could very well be pilots.

Fly Free

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There is more than one way to fly a plane. Pilots, like many skill-based roles, each have their own advice to give when questioned on the subject of how to best get your plane in the sky and keep it there. Whether telling you that every pattern entry must begin on a 45-degree angle, or that your allrunups must always be conducted into the wind, there is never any shortage of “good advice” when asking a pilot how they fly. However, as many skilled professionals know, there is no substitute for knowledge gained through practice.

Michael ZaporzanA dozen different factors can affect how each plane takes off, and it’s the job of a skilled pilot to adjust in any given scenario, not rigidly stick to a system of rules. Not to say all of your training and procedures are meant to be thrown out the window when you’re in the air, but that cooler heads with room to react will always prevail behind the wheel. Different airports, each with their own unique weather conditions, present their own unique challenges. A reminder that pilots need to be as flexible as they are practiced.

In my experience, real-world flying skill dictates the course of the flight, not procedure. Especially in smaller planes, their lighter bodies prone to being pushed by the wind, require pilots to be more aware of their surroundings. A subtle shift in wind direction or change in the weather demands an immediate response, and it’s the pilot’s job to remain unruffled in the event of in-flight changes.

Remember, I’m in no way suggesting you shirk your training or manufacturer’s guidelines when stepping into the cockpit. This is a reminder that any pilot who’s approaching their role with 100% rigidity won’t fly. By closing off to your surroundings and burying your nose in the books, you will lose opportunities as they pass under your wing. For more information on the subject, click here.