This week, Capt. John Cox explains how what commercial pilots eat, cabin pressure and what it means if an aircraft is overloaded with fuel.
Author: John Cox, Special to USA TODAY
Ask the Captain: What determines a plane’s altitude? How does it account for high elevation?
This week, Capt. John Cox explains how the aviation industry measures altitude uniformly so pilots don’t have to constantly reset their instruments.
Ask the Captain: How do you land a plane in rapidly changing crosswinds?
This week, Captain John Cox explains the art of landing a commercial airliner in crosswinds.
Ask the Captain: What is your favorite aircraft to fly? Where does the emergency oxygen come from?
This week, retired US Airways pilot John Cox names his favorite plane and explains where the emergency oxygen comes from if the cabin loses pressure.
Ask the Captain: What do airline dispatchers do? Why are first officers on international flights older?
This week, Captain John Cox explains what airline dispatchers do and why some pilots choose flying international routes over becoming a captain.
Ask the Captain: Do pilots usually land airliners manually or by computer?
This week, Captain John Cox explains why most pilots prefer to land airliners manually and how they know the wheels have made contact with the runway.
Ask the Captain: How can I overcome coronavirus fears so I can travel? How do pilots beat jet lag?
This week, Captain John Cox shares the techniques air crews use to get rid of jet lag so they can function once they’re at their new destination.
Ask the Captain: Which airport is toughest for night landings? Can aircraft avoid turbulence?
John Cox is a retired airline captain and runs his own aviation safety consulting company. He answers readers’ questions about aircraft and aviation.
Ask the Captain: Do I have to quarantine if I have an overnight connection in Canada?
John Cox is a retired airline captain and answers your questions this week about quarantining with an overnight connection and pilots’ routes.
Ask the Captain: Are weight and balance issues more of a factor on smaller planes?
This week, retired US Airways Captain John Cox does a lot of math answering questions about weight and balance and cross-country flights.