"We train for that one flight where everything goes wrong, heartbeat goes up": How Odia pilots handle emergency landings

Bhubaneswar: In the skies above Bhubaneswar, Captain Prakash Mishra performs routine flight checks with practiced precision. Yet beneath this calm exterior lies years of intensive training for scenarios he hopes never to face – emergency landings that could save hundreds of lives.

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"We train not for the thousands of normal flights, but for that one flight where everything goes wrong," says Mishra, a senior pilot with 15 years of experience and native of Cuttack, Odisha.

Preparing for the Impossible

At flight training centers across India, including the recently upgraded facility in Bhubaneswar, pilots undergo exhaustive emergency landing simulations. These high-tech simulators replicate everything from engine failures to hydraulic system malfunctions with disconcerting realism.

"The simulator throws the unexpected at you – sometimes multiple emergencies simultaneously," explains Captain Anita Patra, one of Odisha's pioneering female commercial pilots. "Your hands sweat, your heart races. The psychological pressure is intentional because that's what you'll face in a real emergency."

The training regimen for emergency landings is unforgiving. Pilots practice in conditions that mimic severe weather, equipment failures, and even passenger medical emergencies. They must demonstrate competency in "dead stick" landings – bringing aircraft down without engine power – often at unfamiliar airfields.

The Odia Connection in Aviation Safety

Odisha has emerged as an unexpected contributor to aviation safety protocols in India. Dr. Sanjay Jena, an aeronautical engineer from Berhampur who helped develop emergency landing procedures for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), emphasizes the psychological aspects of training.

"It's not just about the technical skills," Dr. Jena points out. "We've incorporated indigenous knowledge systems that focus on mental resilience during crisis – something Odia culture has historically emphasized."

This mental conditioning proves crucial during the critical moments of an emergency. Pilots have approximately 3-5 minutes to assess situations, communicate with air traffic control, prepare cabin crew and passengers, and execute emergency protocols – all while maintaining precise aircraft control.

From Classroom to Cockpit

Emergency landing training follows a graduated approach. After classroom instruction, pilots progress to part-task trainers, full-motion simulators, and finally supervised flights where instructors secretly trigger emergency scenarios.

"Your first simulated engine failure is terrifying," recalls First Officer Smruti Mohapatra from Rourkela. "But after hundreds of practice scenarios, the emergency checklist becomes muscle memory. Your fear transforms into methodical problem-solving."

The process is constantly evolving. The recent addition of Augmented Reality elements to training programs at the Bhubaneswar Aviation Academy allows pilots to experience visual impairments like smoke in the cockpit or night landings at unfamiliar airports.

The Social Media Response

When footage of emergency landing training went viral last month, Odia netizens rallied with pride. The hashtag #OdiaPilotsExcel trended briefly, with users sharing stories of aviation professionals from the state.

"Seeing our pilots train with such intensity makes me feel safer when flying," tweeted prominent Odia social media influencer Aditya Pattnaik, whose post garnered over 5,000 likes.

Beyond Technical Skills

What separates good pilots from great ones during emergencies isn't just technical proficiency, but decision-making under pressure.

"The aircraft gives you warnings, but it doesn't tell you what to do," explains Captain Mishra. "Should you attempt to restart engines or focus on gliding distance? Divert to a small airport nearby or aim for a larger one farther away? These decisions must be made in seconds, with incomplete information."

For the flying public, this hidden world of emergency preparation provides reassurance. While passengers may never witness these skills in action, the pilots commanding their aircraft stand ready, thanks to thousands of hours preparing for scenarios they hope will remain confined to the simulator.