When ever you go on a flight, many things are happening around you that you may never have noticed. Let’s have a look at what happens as we leave the ground.

1. Before any passengers even leave the terminal, the aircraft is undergoing its pre flight checks, this is where the captain and co pilot check the aircrafts systems and plot the route they will be taking.

2. Once the passengers are onboard, further checks are made. These are usually calculations of the amount of fuel needed as the total weight being carried will now be known.

3. Once the calculations are complete the next step is to start the engines up. This is done by pressing a series of buttons to introduce the fuel to the igniters so that the engine can run. The engines are started and run for a few moments so that further checks can be made.

4. Push back is the process where the aircraft leaves the stand. This is often done by a heavy duty tractor than helps the aircraft reverse as aircrafts are not fitted with reverse gears.

5. Once the aircraft has left the stand it can then use its own power to propel itself to the runway.

6. Flaps and slats are parts of the wing that aid flight; these are hydraulically controlled so when they are being adjusted for flight they are often accompanied by a rumbling noise.

7. The next step is takeoff. The pilot will line the aircraft up for takeoff. Full throttle is often used as they have to reach 180mph in a short space of time to have enough pressure built up for flight.

8. Finally, once the plane is in the skies and is straight and level, flight will follow shortly after.