Nearly Half of Men Believe They Can Land a Plane Without Training: Reddit Video Sparks Debate

A recent video on Reddit has ignited a lively debate about a survey that revealed nearly half of all men believe they could safely land a plane in an emergency without any training. The video features a humorous discussion where participants express disbelief and amusement over the survey results.

"Dude, get this, nearly half of all men think they could land a plane with no training. That's so stupid, dude. You guys are dumb," one participant exclaims, repeatedly emphasizing the improbability of such a feat. The conversation evolves as another individual contemplates the possibility of landing a plane with assistance from ground control. "I mean, there's so many doodads that I think it would basically land itself. Yeah, you just have to push the- I'm not saying it's a perfect landing."

The comments section of the video provides a fascinating array of reactions, ranging from confident affirmations to skeptical rebuttals. One user states, "I absolutely think this. I have no real idea, but I think I could do it," while another humorously notes, "Everybody can land a plane. But in one piece, that's a completely different story."

Several commentators draw on their experiences with flight simulators to support their confidence. "I'll have you know that I have flown an Airbus from Denver to SFO twice in Microsoft Flight Simulator," boasts one user. Another adds, "Anyone who has played Microsoft Flight Simulator knows that this isn't the case."

The discussion also references real-life instances where untrained individuals have successfully landed planes. "Untrained people have safely landed aircraft where the pilot was incapacitated with instructions from the Control Tower via radio," one comment highlights. Further adding credibility, another user mentions, "Mythbusters actually did this myth, and it was absolutely plausible. With tower in your ear talking you through, both Jamie and Adam were able to land safely in a simulator."

Some users express willingness to attempt landing a plane in a dire situation. "All I’m saying is that if the pilot died, I’d give it a go. I mean why not?" Others, however, remain skeptical about the feasibility for the average person. "Single-engine prop planes are pretty easy to land on. My dad used to let me take off and land the Cessna he flew as a hobby, not much to it. Try to stay level, up the plane on the ground, pull the throttle back, and apply the air brakes. Now, a commercial airliner, no way. Too many buttons."

The conversation even ventures into popular culture, with one user referencing a joke from the show 30 Rock involving Matt Damon: "30 Rock has a great joke about this with Matt Damon (who plays a pilot). Someone says they will fly the plane, and he replies, 'Well, good luck pressing takeoff, autopilot, and then land!'"

While the idea of untrained individuals landing a plane might seem far-fetched to many, the video and subsequent comments highlight a mix of overconfidence, humor, and genuine curiosity about human capabilities in emergency scenarios. Whether inspired by flight simulators or real-life instances, the notion continues to captivate and entertain.