Why does a civil airplane have to spend more than half an hour before landing? This time arrangement is actually to ensure the safety and smoothness of the flight.
The aircraft needs to gradually descend from a higher cruising altitude to the sea level of the destination airport before landing. Depending on the regular descent rate, the aircraft usually descends at a speed of 1500-2000 feet per minute. If the plane descends from cruising altitude to sea level, it will take about 15-20 minutes.
In addition to the descent rate, the aircraft also needs to make adjustments, including adjusting the speed and wing configuration, etc., which will take a certain amount of time to complete gradually.
In some large airports in China, in order to increase safety, the landing aircraft will start descending in advance to ensure that there is a sufficient altitude interval with the take-off aircraft, which is to prevent air traffic congestion and increase flight safety.
Even if the aircraft descends at a speed of 1500-2000 feet per minute, there is usually no significant discomfort for the passengers, as this descent rate is relatively smooth for the aircraft, and the attitude changes are not very large.
Passenger comfort is mainly affected by the rate of change in cabin pressurization and flight attitude. The rate of change in cabin pressurization is typically 300-500 feet per minute, and the aircraft's pressurization system automatically adjusts to ensure passenger comfort.
The flight attitude of the aircraft is usually relatively stable, and there will be only slight attitude adjustments during landing, which will not cause significant discomfort to passengers.
Therefore, although it takes a certain amount of time for the plane to land, it is all about the safety of the flight and the comfort of the passengers. Airlines and airports will reasonably arrange the landing time of aircraft according to the needs of flight safety and flow control to ensure a safe and smooth flight process.