While cruising at 20,000 feet, we explore the hypothetical scenario where both pilots are suddenly incapacitated and a passenger has to take control. With the autopilot engaged, the initial response is to use the airplane's technology to route the aircraft toward the nearest airport. By using the airport button on the control panel, we identify that our current position is directly over Boston.
After declaring an emergency and communicating with air traffic control, the aircraft's systems assist in the landing process. In this situation, keeping the airplane on autopilot is safer than attempting manual adjustment. To maintain proper speed during descent, the speed brake is engaged. After overflying the airport to line up, manual control is used for the final approach, with full flaps deployed to manage the crosswind. The landing is successfully completed, allowing the aircraft to exit onto a taxiway.
