Blind Flying

Blind Flying means flying on instruments ... that's all

Blind flying is one of those expressions that comes from the past. In the industry we don't use the expression anymore because what we do now is so normal that we don't describe it as anything other than what it is ... flying on instruments or even simpler ... instrument flying. Modern airline pilot training emphasises the need to 'manage ' a flight via the instruments and  management systems.

Instruments and management systems

I'm often asked how I can see where I'm going in the dark or in cloud. Quite often fearful flyers are under the impression that if it's a clear day I can see where I'm going and navigate accordingly. This isn't unreasonable ... it's what we do in a car every day.

For more information on this subject see our on-line fear of flying premium Course

I'll spend a moment explaining why instrument flying was called blind flying. In the beginning flying .... premium

Unfortunately because of the forces involved and the way the human body is built (see here) it's not possible to fly a plane in cloud without something to show which way is up .... Premium ... however, you lowered the nose and the plane slowed down you knew you were upside down.

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