Pilot at 1500 mph and 20000 feet: The Real-World Risks of Opening the Cockpit

Honestly, I don't think you'd want to find out what would happen if a pilot traveling at 1500 mph at 20000 feet opened his cockpit. It would be akin to stepping out of a plane while in full speed - not a pleasant thought. I would suggest that pilots err on the side of caution and keep their cockpits securely closed.

Real-World Scenarios and Regulations

Nothing would happen since the cockpit door is not connected to the flight controls. The pilot is likely going for a toilet break or a rest break. Many jurisdictions now legally compel there to be another member of the crew take his/her place. For short excursions like a loo break, a - usually senior - member of the cabin crew is fine so that there are at least two members of crew in the cockpit at all times to minimize the risk of one person being "unsupervised" in control. It has happened that a lone pilot is suspected - not actually proven if I remember the details but highly likely - of deliberately crashing the plane in an elaborate suicide action. Having another crew member, even if not a pilot, reduces the probability of this happening again.

Do note that the windows and doors cannot be opened while in flight; hence, nothing would happen if a pilot were to open the cockpit door mid-air.

In planes like the Boeing and Airbus, the cockpit windows are designed to slide inward and close. If the jet was unpressurized, the cockpit windows would be at risk of breaking. This would make it very loud and windy, making it difficult to control the jet with the wind blast. However, in planes where it is not designed to happen, the situation would remain relatively calm inside the cabin.

Real-Life Scenario: An Indian Air Force Incident

Over the Arabian Sea, on June 2016, an Indian Air Force MiG-29 piloted by Squadron Leader Rijiul Sharma was flying at 32000 feet at around 1300 kph (Mach 1.1) at supersonic speed. The aircraft's canopy broke apart, piercing his right shoulders. This led to rapid decompression in the cockpit, causing a temperature drop to -28°C. With a pressurized, climate-controlled cockpit, the pilot was exposed to a hostile environment with deafening noise from the engine and sub-zero temperatures.

Holding on to the seat, the pilot had minimal control over his body. He reduced speed to subsonic and descended to around 3km altitude. The noise increased as he lost speed, and turbulence made it hard to maintain direction. He managed to communicate through radio, though the severe noise made it difficult. Flying to the base 110km away, he landed safely and returned to flying within a week of the incident.

What Would Happen at 20000 Feet and 1500 mph?

At 20000 feet, the air would be denser, and at 1500 mph, the pilot would struggle to control the aircraft. Severe sub-zero temperatures would cause numbness to the body. The noise level would be significantly lower than during a subsonic flight due to the jet being at a lower altitude. The next major problem would be air turbulence - which would make it incredibly challenging to control the aircraft. The pilot would be able to survive for only a few minutes in such conditions. The intense force of the oncoming air would cause significant damage within 10 minutes. Exposure to subzero temperatures or crushing air force at such speeds would likely lead to death.

Create Safety Protocols: These real-life scenarios underscore the importance of safety protocols. Pilots and crew members should always maintain cockpit closure and ensure that there is another crew member present during essential breaks or periods of unsupervised cockpit operation.

Conclusion: Keeping the cockpit secure is not just about compliance with regulations but also a measure to ensure the safety of the pilot and other crew members. The events that unfold at different altitudes and speeds highlight the critical need for careful and safe flight operations.