The short answer is that pilots don't need windows to fly a plane. But it isn't the flying bit that we use windows for. While the climb, cruise, descent and sometimes actual landing can be done "blind", using complex air and ground-based monitoring equipment, all take off s - especially the part where the aircraft is in contact with the runway- are done visually, as is all taxiing around the airfield. The vast majority of landings are also done visually. So-called blind landings, where the forward visibility at touchdown can be as low as 75 metres, require special ground equipment. They also involve vital operational procedures to ensure objects such as ground vehicles remain clear of transmitting aerials. All this markedly restricts the rate of aircraft movements on the ground, so are only applied when really needed. This explains why, in fog, major airports such as London Heathrow restrict the number of flights they can handle, leading to cancellations.
展开▼
