Why do airplanes spiral down towards the airport upon descent rather than just a straight shot while decreasing altitude?

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Also this may be a whole other post I need to make but bonus question for anyone interested in answering: Why can I perceive the tilt(like the cabin is angled more towards the sky or is leaning to the left or right) of the airplane cabin even though I am in the same upright position in relation to the actual cabin itself?

In: Physics

8 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

As far as perceiving the tilt goes your body still senses the rotation and tilt while sitting even though you yourself cannot see it. The physics of the rotation and tilt still act upon your body and your body reacts to it alerting your brain to the fact you are no longer on a even plane.

The only time I’ve ever been on a plane that spiraled down during descent was because traffic was backed up and in a holding pattern due to bad weather. Every other flight though just adjusts to whichever runway and lands without spiraling down.

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