Latest news with #aeroplane
BBC News
12-08-2025
- BBC News
Why e dey important to off your phone for plane
You carry yourself, pay plenti money enta aeroplane either bicos di road no safe or you need to go wia you dey go fairly sharparly. You siddon, dem do all di safety tok-tok, to wear belt and den di pilot tell you say time don reach to off your phone, but you dey play games or watch video, but not for di first time, you ask your sef why I dey run dis parole? Some theories dey point say phones and oda gadgets fit affect di electronic systems. According to regulations wey resemble demselves worldwide, electronic devices no suppose to stay on under 3,000m (10,000ft), even if e dey in flight mode. But above dat height from di ground pipo fit use laptops or music players but di phones go still dey off. Di US Federal Aviation Administration ban cell phones for airborne use howeva bicos say e fit interfere wit aircraft instruments. Dem say "devices fit dey used for airplane mode or wit cell connection off. You fit use WiFI connection on your device if di plane get WiFI system and airline allow di use." Di US constitution tok say "di use of cellular telephones while di aircraft dey airborne dey prohibited by FCC rules". BBC tori pesin, Katia Moskvitch tok say personal phones fit act to malfunction aeroplanes bicos of dia electronics based systems wey dem dey call avionics. Dis avionics na wetin det used for navigation, to tok wit pipo for ground and monitor wetin dey keep di plane for air and some of dis components dey use sensors to take give informate to di cockpit. So na how phones fit affect di information wey di plane dey get. No be just phone sha o, Kindles, laptops and handheld gaming consoles bicos all of dem dey comot radio waves. If dis waves dey at frequencies wey dey close to di ones di avionics dey emit, e fit corrupt di signals and readings wey dem dey provide. If dis sensors no work, e fit affect systems like radar, communications and collision avoidance technology. Di problem fit rise well well if your devices don spoil and dey comot stronger radio waves or if di signals from multiple device combine. No record do show say crashes don dey directly linked to phone use interference but sometimes pesin no dey know wetin dey cause di accidents. Flight recorder fit no show say critical system bin fail bicos of electromagnetic interference from passengers devices. However, even though straight line no dey between crash and use of electronic devices. Katie reveal say US Aviation Safety Reporting System wey Nasa dey maintain show 50 cases of safety issues wey phone use cause. One case report tok say, "First Officer report say compass systems bin get k-leg for initial climb. Wen dem ask passengers to make sure say all dia devices bin dey off, di compass system go back to normal." One 2006 analysis of di data base show 77 times wey dey highly link interference from electronic gadgets. Di International Air Transport Association (IATA) show 75 separate incidents wey pilots believe say na phones cause electronic interference between 2003 and 2009. BBC tori pesin, Katia Moskvitch point out say even though some airlines don dey advertise how dem go allow pipo to use dia phones for flights, no be for wen di plane dey take off or land, na just for wen di plane dey cruising altitude. Wetin you fit do or not do in plane BBC News Pidgin reach out to di Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection for di Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu on wetin be di aviation regulations wey dey guide airline passengers, and e list di offences wey include but no dey limited to di following; Smoking for inside plane or for non-smoking area of di terminal building na offence. Use of mobile phones and/or oda communication/electronics gadgets inside plane without di approval of di aircraft Commander na offence. Fighting or oda disorderly conduct for inside plane or for di terminal building na offence. Any conduct/act wey constitute nuisance to oda passengers na offence. Disobedience of lawful instructions issued by di aircraft commander, flight crew, cabin attendants, check-in staff and/or security screening staff na offence. Any conduct wey endanger or wey dey likely to endanger di safety of flight operations na crime. Tampering wit smoke detectors and oda aircraft equipment na crime. No pesin dey allowed to carry, or attempt to carry, weapons, prohibited items or oda dangerous devices for body, or for inside im load for plane unless e dey authorized for transport. No pesin go dey allowed to enta security restricted area or sterile area unless di aviation security officer don screen and clear am for entry. Na crime to take pictures or videos for restricted areas for di airport terminal Carry Prohibited Items: Items like sharp objects, flammable liquids, or certain electronics dey restricted and security go seize am. Di Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority regulations allow di aircraft commander or airport authority to take di necessary measures wey include restraint wia necessary wen dem see any passenger wey dey misbehave on board or for di terminal building. NCAA also list offences and di penalty for inside airplane or for terminal area. Operating a portable electronic device in violation of crew directives go attract - Maximum civil penalty Drinking alcoholic beverages wey no be di operator serve - Maximum civil penalty Interference wit crew member go attract - Maximum civil penalty Physical assault or threat to physically assault a flight or cabin crewmember go attract - Minimum to maximum civil penalty and/or criminal referral Physical assault or threat to physically assault an individual wey no be crewmember - Minimum to maximum civil penalty and/or criminal referral. Traveller wey act in a manner wey pose imminent threat to di safety of aircraft or oda individuals on di aircraft go face - Minimum to maximum civil penalty and/or criminal referral. Smoking for area wia dem write or put "No Smoking' sign - Maximum civil penalty. Smoking for aircraft lavatory - Maximum civil penalty. Tampering wit smoke detector - Minimum to maximum civil penalty and/or criminal referral. Refusal to fasten seat belt for wia seat belt sign dey - Minimum to moderate civil penalty.
Telegraph
13-07-2025
- Telegraph
Fireball erupts as small plane crashes at Southend airport
An aeroplane has crashed on take-off from Southend airport, with pictures from the site showing a huge fireball. The crash on Sunday afternoon reportedly involved a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air B200. Online flight tracking data suggest an aircraft fitting that description was due to fly to Lelystad, in the Netherlands, in the afternoon. David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend, wrote on X: 'I am aware of an incident at Southend airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved.' Essex Police said in a statement: 'We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend airport. We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane. 'We are working with all emergency services at the scene now, and that work will be ongoing for several hours. We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.' Southend airport has been contacted for comment. The Beechcraft King Air B200 is capable of carrying around a dozen people. The US-made planes are widely used as short-haul charter airliners and for carrying light freight. In a notice for pilots, Southend airport said it was closed with immediate effect from 4.07pm and that no air traffic control services would be available. It is understood that easyJet's scheduled flights serving Southend have been cancelled for the rest of the day. Photos on social media suggested that passengers were in the process of boarding an airliner by climbing a flight of steps when the crash occurred a few hundred metres away.
CNA
24-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Exposure to high stress at our jobs can harm us in the long run. How do we handle the pressure?
One moment, he is in Singapore and the next, he is in another country helping to transport a patient across country borders. In an aeroplane with limited resources, sick patients and worried family members thousands of metres above the ocean, stress is all too common for Dr Charles Johnson, an emergency medicine physician. While he has since adapted to the pressure and irregular hours since become a doctor more than 30 years ago, the 56-year-old told CNA TODAY that it took him over a decade to get used to the high amount of stress associated with his job. 'When the patient is critically ill, we're working under time pressure with limited resources on the plane,' he said. 'You can't go to the nearest hospital because you're in a plane in the middle of the ocean ... and there are things you can't control like bad weather and turbulence. But I just trust myself that in the moment, I do the right thing and the best I can." Although individuals such as Dr Johnson eventually find a way to function efficiently and more comfortably in such environments, health experts told CNA TODAY that constant exposure to high-stress environments can be harmful, leaving a lasting impact on mental health and decision-making capabilities. LITTLE MARGIN FOR ERROR High-pressure jobs often have tight timelines and place great pressure on people to do everything perfectly because mistakes can have dire consequences. This can be those in the financial services who deal with clients who might give them pressure to perform, to those in the medical field or law enforcement officers who face life-or-death situations often. People who work in other sectors may not face such high pressure situations on a regular basis but may be exposed to them on occasion. Ms Sandhya Aswani, a mental health counsellor from social enterprise It All Starts Hear, said several factors contribute to a high-pressure work environment. For instance, the nature of the job could be fast-paced with tight deadlines, or people are expected to deal with critical situations such as emergency response settings. 'Such environments can be physically and emotionally demanding, requiring you to make quick decisions on the go. These decisions often have high impact and lasting consequences,' she said. Beyond that, such jobs may have little margin for error and employees may have high expectations placed on them. 'All of this is magnified in environments with little support or healthy avenues for employees to cope with stress,' Ms Sandhya said. THE RISKS OF A HIGH-PRESSURE JOB Dr Annabelle Chow, principal clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology, said that when people are placed in high-pressure situations, their brain kicks into survival mode by activating their sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response when faced with a threat of perceived danger, by releasing adrenaline and cortisol, a stress hormone. 'Although natural stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline play useful roles in enhancing brain function and increasing blood glucose levels for immediate muscle action, these benefits are only short-term,' she said. 'Key functions such as decision making and emotional processing start to break down, making it harder to stay clear-headed.' In the long run, Dr Chow warned that chronic stress can affect the brain, especially when it comes to memory, emotional regulation and decision making. 'Over time, it also increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia,' she added. 'Essentially, prolonged stress causes the brain to function in ways that are non-optimal, making it harder for individuals to cope with and respond to situations appropriately.' She noted that several studies have shown that chronic stress can reduce the size of the part of the human brain that makes learning and forming new memories difficult. The amygdala, a part of the brain that regulates emotions, can become overactive as well, making people more prone to anxiety or mood swings. For people holding high-pressure jobs where there can be life-or-death outcomes – such as doctors and firefighters – witnessing tragedies as a result of a mistake can also result in survivor's guilt or post-traumatic stress disorder, she added. MANAGE THE PRESSURE WITHOUT LEAVING THE JOB Ultimately, people in high-stress jobs may not be able to escape the pressure entirely without giving up on their careers. However, the experts said there are practical ways to manage the stress. Ms Vivien Tay, a senior counsellor at New Leaf, said it is essential to stay connected to the purpose that drives our work, and trust the judgments that we have learnt through years of training, education and experience. 'While it is natural to feel the weight of others' expectations, staying grounded in your professional training and experience is key to making informed and sound decisions.' She also said that having a supportive network of trusted professionals such as colleagues, mentors or supervisors can help refocus your thinking and assist when the weight of the decision feels overwhelming. 'Maintaining sound decision-making in high-pressure, life-and-death situations requires a balance of self-awareness, support and practical techniques to manage stress,' she added. 'By staying true to your professional training, embracing collaboration and recognising the uncertainty inherent in complex situations, you can navigate high-stakes situations with composure, clarity and confidence.' Dr Chow warned against habits such as skipping meals or sacrificing sleep that negatively affect mental clarity in high-pressure jobs. 'While these may seem like quick solutions, they have significant consequences for mental clarity. The brain requires adequate fuel from food to function optimally and without regular meals, cognitive performance – including concentration, memory and decision making – suffers,' she said. 'To break free from these unproductive patterns, it is essential to replace them with healthier alternatives that prioritise self-care and well-being so that we can be productive in a more sustainable manner.' She said that adopting relaxation techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, which involves slow and deep breaths to help promote relaxation, can help reduce stress throughout he day. When possible, taking short and regular breaks throughout the workday can help prevent mental fatigue, Dr Chow added. It is also important to take care of yourself by staying hydrated and getting enough sleep each day. 'Mental clarity is influenced by a combination of physiological, emotional and cognitive factors,' she said. 'It is important to remember that change does not need to happen all at once. The key to long-lasting transformation is to start small. Choose one area where you feel most ready to improve. Perhaps it is committing to getting enough sleep or tackling tasks before they pile up.' For Dr Johnson, adopting "lifestyle medicine" has helped him stay clear-headed and reduce his stress levels so that he is able to do his best at work while in "the right mind space". Lifestyle medicine is a medical multidisciplinary specialty that looks at making healthy lifestyle interventions to prevent and reverse the root causes of health challenges such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and more. Dr Johnson said he has turned to a diet that avoids meats and ultra-processed food. He exercises often and tries his best to get enough restful sleep. 'It is these little things that help me stay healthy and clear-headed so I can handle work ... and reminding myself that I've tried my best and given my all whenever I'm (on call).'
