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Pilot explains the bizarre reason why planes feel like they're 'sinking' during take-off

Home> News> Travel

Published 14:35 16 Aug 2025 GMT+1

Pilot explains the bizarre reason why planes feel like they're 'sinking' during take-off

American Airlines pilot Captain Steve explained the phenomenon during a recent Q&A

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

Have you ever been sitting on a plane, and after you finally take off, you all of a sudden feel like it's 'sinking' or 'falling' out of the sky?

Well, apparently, you're not alone, as one airline pilot attempted to clear up exactly what causes the unsettling phenomenon.

There's a lot going on during take-off and the subsequent minutes that follow it, much of which the average passenger has no idea about.

Thankfully, there are pilots and aviation experts who are on hand to provide the answers, with TikToker Captain Steve one of the most prominent pilots on social media.

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"Why does the plane sometimes feel like it's sinking about a minute into take-off?" one TikTok viewer asked Captain Steve in a recent Q&A video.

We've all felt the 'sinking' feeling on a plane (Getty Stock Photo)
We've all felt the 'sinking' feeling on a plane (Getty Stock Photo)

Basically, it's all to do with retracting flaps on the aircraft, as Captain Steve explained: "Now sometimes it's because I've got what is called the noise abatement procedure.

"Some high-density areas where rich people live might make a fuss, and when you watch it at take off at a certain steep angle and then once you get over their houses, they want you to pull the power back.

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"When I do get to that point in the climb where I begin to retract the flaps, the power goes from take-off power to climb power."

Captain Steve went on to explain that this is called a 'reduced power setting', and it's this that's responsible for that weird feeling you get which can turn your stomach after take-off.

Captain Steve added: "This is a reduced power setting, so you hear it first, feel it a little in your seat and then the nose starts to come over at the same time I'm trying to retract the flaps so the plane pedals a little bit – that's an uncomfortable feeling."

While it may be a bit of a weird sensation, Captain Steve reiterated in the video that the 'sinking' feeling is nothing to worry about.

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Captain Steve has explained the bizarre sensation (Getty Stock Photo)
Captain Steve has explained the bizarre sensation (Getty Stock Photo)

"It's because I'm accelerating at this point, so it's a weird sensation and you think you're dropping when you're actually accelerating," the pilot reassured his followers.

Captain Steve has touched on many travel topics in recent months, including 'the truth' on whether the clapping is welcome among pilots, or if it's a distraction.

Well, he revealed pilots can't really hear the commotion from the snug of the cockpit.

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He went on to say we should still 'absolutely' give a healthy round of applause - and suggested it's much like sending your compliments to the chef when dining in a restaurant.

Featured Image Credit: Getty stock images

Topics: Pilot, Travel, TikTok

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

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