What´s that sound?

A flight is never silent - well, unless you have a double engine failure, but that´s another story. So sounds like clangs, rings, rattles and hums are a constant. Frequent  flyers are familiar with those sounds but only a few people know how to proper identify them. Perhaps this can help you face your fears on your next flight;

Before taxiing the aircraft:
The ground power supply generator hums, freight is being loaded with rumble and the cargo doors are suddenly closed with bluster. Banging comes from the galley as food and beverage carts are being dragged in while the crew is stowing them around. Engines start with a sudden roar. While taxiing the aircraft to the runway, wheels are squeaking and jaring while rumbling over bumps causing the skin of the aircraft to creak.

Take-off
Just a few seconds before take-off the landing gear is at its high performance. The aircraft takes off the ground with thump and a few seconds later after a positive climbing is checked by the pilots, the landing gear retracts with rumble and its cover cap closes. The engine becomes less noisy.

During the flight
With Dings and Dongs pilots communicate with the flight attendants (Coffee!), passengers with the flight attendants (Blanket!) and pilots with the passengers (Buckle on!). Engines roar and wind streams against the shell of the aircraft.

Final Descent
Engines become less noisy because pilots take power away. Flaps get down and in place for landing as well as the landing gear. Just before touch down, engines become silent as pilots make some last adjustments.

Landing
The landing gear touches down, brake flaps jump up and the thrust reverser starts glowering bringing the aircraft to slow down. The machine clatters while rolling over the runway marking lamps. A final Boom! indicates the aircraft reached  its final parking position. Welcome to your destination!!