Have you ever dreamed of seeing the tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest, from an airplane window? Imagine sipping your coffee while gazing at its snow-covered peak! But here’s the catch: planes don’t fly over Mount Everest or the Himalayan range. Let’s find out why.
Imagine a commercial flight suddenly deciding to fly over the Himalayas. At first, everything seems fine as the plane cruises at 35,000 feet, traveling at 550 miles per hour. But then, the pilots spot the towering peaks of the Himalayas, with Everest standing out at a massive 29,000 feet. Although the plane has 6,000 feet to spare, things can quickly go wrong.
If there’s a sudden decompression, like a door not sealed properly or a crack in the fuselage, the oxygen masks drop down. But these masks only provide oxygen for 15 to 20 minutes. The pilots need to descend to 10,000 feet quickly so passengers can breathe without masks. However, over the Himalayas, there’s no room to drop that low!
Flying at high altitudes gives pilots “room for error.” If something goes wrong, they can glide the plane to safety. But with only 6,000 feet above Everest, there’s little room for mistakes. Plus, finding an emergency landing spot is nearly impossible in this region. Kathmandu has an airport, but it has only one runway and lacks advanced landing systems.
Another issue is turbulence. The winds over mountains create “mountain waves,” making flights bumpy. While turbulence isn’t dangerous, airlines prefer to avoid it when possible. The Himalayas are notorious for severe turbulence, making them a no-fly zone for commercial planes.
Besides the Himalayas, there are other challenging places for pilots. For instance, Lukla Airport in Nepal is surrounded by high mountains and has a short runway. Toncontin Airport in Honduras requires a sharp turn during descent due to tricky terrain.
Paro Airport in Bhutan is so challenging that only eight pilots are qualified to land there. Madeira Airport in Portugal has a runway built on platforms over the ocean, and Narsarsuaq Airport in Greenland deals with icy runways and stormy weather.
Gibraltar International Airport has a road crossing its runway, requiring it to close every time a plane lands or takes off. And Princess Juliana Airport in the Caribbean is famous for its beach right before the runway, making landings a unique experience.
These factors make it clear why pilots avoid flying over the Himalayas and other challenging areas. Next time you fly, remember the skill and planning that goes into keeping you safe in the skies!
Research one of the dangerous airports mentioned in the article. Create a short presentation explaining why it is considered challenging for pilots. Include images and any interesting facts you find. Present your findings to the class.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand the effects of altitude on oxygen levels. Use a balloon to simulate a plane and a small weight to represent passengers. As you increase the altitude (by lifting the balloon), discuss what happens to the oxygen levels and why planes need to descend quickly in case of decompression.
Using a world map, identify and mark the locations of Mount Everest and the other dangerous airports mentioned in the article. Discuss with your classmates the geographical challenges these locations present to pilots and how they affect flight routes.
Write a short story from the perspective of a pilot flying over the Himalayas. Describe the challenges faced during the flight and how the pilot ensures the safety of the passengers. Use vivid imagery to capture the experience of flying near Mount Everest.
Prepare a set of questions and conduct an interview with a pilot, either in person or virtually. Ask about their experiences flying in challenging conditions and how they prepare for such flights. Share the insights you gain with your classmates.
Mountain – A large natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level; a large steep hill. – The Andes is a famous mountain range in South America known for its high peaks and beautiful landscapes.
Altitude – The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level. – As the airplane climbed to a higher altitude, the temperature outside began to drop significantly.
Turbulence – Irregular or violent movement of air or water, often causing discomfort in airplanes. – The pilot warned the passengers to fasten their seatbelts due to expected turbulence during the flight.
Oxygen – A chemical element that is essential for life and is found in the air we breathe. – At high altitudes, the air contains less oxygen, which can make it difficult to breathe without assistance.
Pilots – Individuals who are trained to operate and navigate aircraft. – Pilots must undergo extensive training to ensure they can safely fly planes in various weather conditions.
Runway – A strip of hard ground along which aircraft take off and land. – The airport extended its main runway to accommodate larger planes.
Safety – The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury. – Safety protocols are crucial in ensuring that all passengers have a secure flight experience.
Decompression – The process of reducing pressure, often referring to the decrease in air pressure experienced in an aircraft cabin. – In the event of sudden decompression, oxygen masks will automatically drop from the overhead compartments.
Region – An area or division, especially part of a country or the world having definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries. – The Amazon rainforest is a vast region known for its biodiversity and dense vegetation.
Error – A mistake or inaccuracy, often occurring in calculations or measurements. – The scientist double-checked the data to ensure there was no error in the experiment’s results.
