Cabin of the plane: what's inside?

The cockpit of the aircraft occupies the bow of the hull. It hosts pilots, as well as a variety of instruments and sensors, through which pilots operate the aircraft.

The view from the cockpit of the aircraft to the lagoon is presented below.

Crew Cabin Crew

The cockpit of the aircraft for pilots occupies the minimum possible volume, since there is not much room on the airliner. But at the same time each pilot's working place provides free access to instruments and means of vessel control, as well as a full view through the glass in the front of the room, the so-called lantern.

The lantern includes two windshields, two sliding windows and two side windows. Windscreens have mechanical windshield wipers (like cars) and hydrophobic protection against rain and snow. The strength of the windshields and their fastenings is designed for a possible encounter during the flight with the birds.

The cabin of the passenger aircraft is separated by a strong armored partition with a lockable door from the rest of its premises.

Composition of the flight crew

The total flight composition of an aircraft includes:

• Commander of the ship (first pilot);
• The co-pilot;
• Flight engineer (flight mechanic);
• Navigator;
• On-board radio operator.

Now almost all passenger aircraft have automated flight control with a high degree of reliability. This is achieved through a multi-stage control system.

Therefore, the composition of the crew may be less - only two people (1 st and 2 nd pilots). It depends on the direction and range of the flight. For example, if radio beacons and surveillance systems for air flights are provided along the entire route, there are no reasons for having a navigator and an airborne radio operator in the flight group.

How do you like the view from the cockpit? Exciting, is not it?

Crew accommodation

The commander of the ship is located in the left from the entrance to the armchair, on the right is the co-pilot. The flight engineer (if included in the crew) is usually behind the co-pilot's seat, as he must see the signals and signs given by the first pilot.

Cabin of aircraft: location of equipment

The most important and often used instruments during the flight are placed in the closest and most convenient zone of visibility and accessibility.

In order to increase the reliability of airliner management, duplication of the most important equipment is envisaged for both pilots.

To manually control the aircraft, the handles located on the side panels and the foot pedals are designed.

Right in front of the pilots is a dashboard with instruments showing flight parameters, navigators, alarms, chassis control handle, and autopilot control panels.

Wings, air brakes, radio navigation and communication are controlled by means of a middle console located between the seats of the pilots.

The upper console controls the systems:

• Power supply;
• Fuel supply;
• Hydraulics;
• Conditioning;
• Fire safety, etc.

The cockpit of the aircraft has a wardrobe for clothes and things pilots, a folding table, a place for storing documentation.

For the convenience of pilots next to their workplace are ashtrays, pens and pencils, cups, etc.

Also, the cockpit is equipped with sets of oxygen masks and life jackets, first-aid kit, electric lantern, ax, etc.

Protection of the cockpit

Protection of pilots and equipment from attack is provided by:

• Reinforcement of the construction (reservation) of doors and partitions;
• Special door locks;
• Code device;
• Video surveillance systems in the passenger compartment.

Crew lounge

Some aircraft make long air flights without landing (over a distance of more than 15 thousand kilometers), and the flight takes more than 18 hours.

This puts increased demands on the crew in terms of their physical and mental health. After all, they have a great responsibility! Hundreds of lives depend on the correctness of their actions!

Therefore, pilots always need to be calm and cheerful.

For this purpose, a number of preventive measures have been developed:

• The kits for them are different, so that if there is a possible poisoning of one pilot the second one could control the aircraft.
• There is a rest room, which can be located in the passenger compartment, under it or above it. During the voyage each member of the crew has a 5-hour rest (or a dream).