I fly frequently as a travel writer, and I never feel any real fear of flying, except during particularly rough turbulence—the kind where the plane is slamming up and down, and rocking back and forth. One thing that helped ease my anxiety a long time ago was learning that, except in extreme cases, many pilots can barely recall encountering choppy air on flights because it’s just so routine.
That said, there’s one moment shortly after takeoff that often catches me off guard, especially if I’ve dozed off or I’m not paying close attention: that strange sensation when the plane seems to slow and drop. Logically, I know from experience that it’s a pretty normal part of flying, but I’ve never quite fully understood what causes it. My best guess was always that the plane was suddenly leveling off after reaching a certain altitude.
I finally decided to ask someone who could solve the mystery once and for all—Corry Lane, a certified captain and the director of safety at the private Nevada-based jet charter and management company Cirrus Aviation. My guess? Partially right … but also quite wrong. Read on to find out why planes feel like they’re falling during takeoff.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, tech, humor, cleaning and fun facts all week long.
Why do planes feel like they’re dropping during takeoff?
Planes require a complex choreography to become airborne and stay that way after takeoff. That dropping sensation is just part of the precise process keeping the flight smooth. Here’s why it happens.
Takeoff roll and initial climb
At takeoff, a plane’s engines must operate at or near maximum-rated thrust. “Flaps and slats are extended to a takeoff setting, providing extra lift at lower speeds,” Lane explains. “Initially, the climb angle is steep—often 10 degrees to 20 degrees nose-up pitch, depending on aircraft type and weight.” This phase, he notes, “feels powerful and aggressive,” and the strong acceleration and steep climb give passengers a distinct sense of upward motion.
Thrust reduction and acceleration phase
Around 1,000 feet above ground level, pilots reduce thrust from takeoff power to climb power, a deliberate step to preserve engine life, reduce fuel consumption and minimize noise. At this time, the aircraft’s nose lowers slightly to allow acceleration to climb speed—for example, from 160 knots to 250 knots below 10,000 feet.
“As speed increases, flaps and slats are retracted incrementally, and the aircraft’s pitch is reduced,” Lane says. “This is the moment passengers often interpret as a ‘drop.'”
Is the plane actually dropping at all when you feel this?
Surprisingly, it’s the opposite. “In reality,” Lane says, “the aircraft is still climbing—just at a shallower angle and with less engine noise. The combination of reduced pitch, quieter engines and changing g-forces creates the illusion of descent.”
Like passengers, pilots also feel these changes, but the sensations, Lane says, are “routine and quickly fade into the background [for pilots], since they are focused on flight performance and passenger comfort rather than the sensation itself.”
Does this dropping sensation feel stronger at certain airports or in specific conditions?
Yes and no. Noise-sensitive airports, like John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, require pilots to reduce engine thrust quickly after takeoff to comply with noise abatement procedures. “This rapid change can amplify the illusion of ‘dropping,'” Lane says.
Mountainous or coastal airports may also require steeper initial climbs or rapid configuration changes, which can also trigger the sensation.
It’s counterintuitive, but smooth air actually makes the illusion of dropping even stronger because there’s no bump-causing turbulence to mask the change in motion.
Is this dropping feeling ever something to worry about?
Thankfully, the sensation isn’t a reason for worry and typically lasts no longer than around 20 seconds. Lane points out that in the extremely rare event of a serious issue, passengers may notice one or more of the following indicators:
- A sudden, sharp descent without a return to climb
- Unusual noises, such as loud bangs, grinding or alarms
- Cabin crew reacting urgently or visibly concerned
- Rapid deployment of oxygen masks
- Pilot announcements indicating a return to the airport or emergency procedures
“If none of these occur, the sensation is almost certainly a normal phase of flight,” he says.
Is there a way to minimize the “sinking” feeling?
While everyone aboard a plane feels the drop, Lane says passengers seated near the wings experience less motion and fewer pitch changes, and the dropping sensation is most pronounced in the rear of the aircraft.
If you’re not able to sit in the forward part of the cabin, just understanding that thrust reduction and flap retraction is a normal part of flying can ease anxiety—much like my understanding that turbulence is pretty routine helped make flying less stressful for me. According to Lane, pilots are extremely precise and vigilant during this phase of flight and passengers are in good hands. “Pilots frequently train in simulators to maintain proficiency in emergency procedures, including managing aircraft speed and configuration changes during and after takeoff,” he says.
Another idea? Rely on distractions like movies, music or conversation to help shift your focus away from physical sensations. Deep breathing can also help regulate the nervous system.
RELATED:
- Here’s What a “Double Chime” Sound on an Airplane Means
- What to Know About “Speaker Scum” Before Your Next Flight
- 11 Hidden Airplane Features You Didn’t Know Existed
About the expert
|
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- Corry Lane, pilot and director of safety at Cirrus Aviation Services; email interview, August 2025
The post Here’s Why Planes Feel Like They’re Dropping During Takeoff appeared first on Reader's Digest.
from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/Msr7dI1
Comments
Post a Comment