The cruise phase can be the longest phase of the flight for long range sectors. In a short sector, the aircraft may not be able to attain the cruising altitude before commencing the descent.
The aircraft cruise around the Mach speed of 0.84. which is equivalent to about 480 knots. Mach Airspeed is the stated in decimal form, 1.oo is the speed of sound at the given condition. So at 0.84, the aircraft is flying at 84% of the speed of sound. The speed changes according to temperature and density of the air.
At cruise, the pilot will target at the optimum to give the economic performance. There are two kindly of stall the aircraft can face, the low speed buffer due to insufficient leave and the high speed buffer when the airflow reach the speed of sound. As the altitude gets higher, the gap between the low and high speed buffer gets smaller.
Access Security
For fear of hijacking, the extra security system is installed for the cockpit. There are two layer of doors. Even for the cabin crew, her entrance to the cockpit has to go through a prescribed steps. Earlier, it was possible for the passengers to request permission from the pilot to visit the cockpit. Such visit is made illegal now.
Crew Rest area
The long range aircraft are fitted with crew rest areas. The big jet such as B747 can fly non stop for about 15 hours. It will be too tiring for one set of crew to handle the long flight. For safety reason, two sets of crews manage the long flight. The crew rest areas provide them with the cosy bed to grab some sleep.
MAS new a330
