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What can a passenger do if (s)he objects to the flight route? Say that after a passenger learns of or views the flight plan, she opposes it (eg due to safety). She could just refuse to board the flight and forfeit her ticket and costs, but are there less costly and dire and radical options? Despite being only a passen...	If you object to the routing, your only real option is to choose not to board the airplane. I'm sure you could raise the issue with a gate agent, and if you made enough noise or escalated it, you might be able to get a refund
What causes aircraft to swerve during takeoff? I notice on some commercial flights that the aircraft can begin to swerve left-to-right during takeoff before we leave the ground. Sometimes this can become very exaggerated, very hard left-to-right swerving. This is typically from around mid-way through the takeoff run, b...	Crosswind can cause it, especially if there are gusts involved.
What's the point in escorting a threatened flight with two fighter jets? Two days ago I read in the news : Two U.S. fighter jets escorted a Canada-to-Panama flight back to Toronto after a passenger allegedly threatened the plane Friday morning. The nature of the threat or why the passenger was agitated were not ...	If absolutely necessary the plane can be prevented from making a mess of a major city, but it is basically a rather obvious visible sign to anyone misbehaving in the plane that they are in very, very deep trouble.
During takeoff, why throttle forward then raise hand from throttle to push a button, instead of pushing button then throttling? Preface: The comments assert the video to have been horizontally flipped, probably because (I am divining) the original belonged to someone else (user 'Jb380' if I remember)? At 4 mins 3 sec...	This is completely normal in Aircrafts like the A380 , Boieing 777 etc .
How are anti-aircraft missiles tested? How are anti-aircraft missiles and counter-measures tested? When they design an anti-aircraft missile, how do they test it so that it actually locks on to a target and destroys it? Do they simply fly a plane in the air and then fire a missile at it and have the pilot eject? Simi...	The short answer is that the final qualification tests are done against drones like the QF-4 , which are converted from retired F-4 fighters.
What are the differences between Bearing vs Course vs Direction vs Heading vs Track? This answer from English.SE does not focus on aviation, and does not explain 'Track'. In basic, simple English, would you please compare and contrast all 5 terms in my question's title? The differences between 'course' vs 'heading' ...	Heading: This is where my nose points - and seeing as my nose is attached to my head, this is where my head (and thus my machine) is pointing relative to North. Course: This is my INTENDED path of travel that I have calculated taking into consideration winds, variation and declination.
What is the minimum turning radius of an SR-71? What is the minimum turning radius of an SR-71 at Mach 3.2 and an altitude of 80,000 feet? I have heard that if an SR-71 were to cross the Pacific coast over San Francisco and pull a hard turn to the right, it would return over Seattle. I'm interested in real-world ...	The SR-71 had a minimum turning radius at altitude of about 80 nautical miles (NM) .
My windsock is erect, what does this mean? I know that airport windsocks are calibrated to reach full erection at a particular wind velocity. At half that speed, the first half of the windsock should be erect and the second half should droop sorrowfully. At one third the speed it will be one third, and so on. Trouble...	As per FAA standards a 15-knot (28 km/h; 17 mph) wind will fully extend the properly functioning windsock.
Is it possible to use thrust reversers to taxi backwards? Can commercial airliners theoretically taxi backwards using reverse thrust? If this is possible, why isn't it common? I can already imagine some safety reasons... <Q> This is called Powerback , most aircraft can do it, but it is not done very often. <S> In...	In propeller aircraft, reverse is more efficient and does not throw up as much debris, so it is sometimes used.
Why do multiple planes arrive from the same airport at the same time? I'm looking at the Arriving flights page of the Vancouver Airport and in many cases there are several planes coming from the same airport, arriving at the same time, all at the same gate. Does it count for only one plane and they are affiliated comp...	The reason is mainly that passengers want to buy tickets for the whole trip from a single company, because it is easier and because it makes it clear responsibility of that airline to rebook them on another flight if they miss a connection due to delay of previous flight. This has to do with codesharing or codeshare .
Can small children be seated away from their parents/guardians on a flight? I am interested if there is any law or regulation which prohibits carriers from seating children in a seat not adjacent to their parent/guardian? I am flying with a group of 17, which includes 2 infants (without allocated seats), but seven chi...	The seating of children close by their parents or guardians should be the aim of airline seat allocation procedures for family groups and large parties of children. From what I read, it doesn't look like there is a law set in stone, but instead it is recommended by the CAA to be put in regular practice by airlines.
Can I fly "into" the Grand Canyon? I haven't looked at the Grand Canyon on a sectional yet, but I know that it is definitely big enough (by far) so that someone could fly a plane under the level of the rim and stil meet all of clearance requirements for VFR flight. Is it legal, and safe to take an airplane into the ...	The answer is: no, normal flights are not allowed under the canyon rim.
How is fuel dumping safe? The answers to this this question make it clear how modern airliners dump fuel in the case of an emergency. As far as I understand, fuel dumping might be done to lower an aircraft's weight to the maximum landing weight, particularly soon after takeoff. As far as I understand, jet fuel is ty...	Dumping fuel sounds dangerous but it is not.
How can the CVR from a Cessna 560XL only contain old records and none from the fatal accident? Is it possible that the CVR from a Cessna 560XL is just showing old records and nothing from the fatal accident when the plane crashed? I´m talking about the airplane crash in Brazil, where a election candidate was killed ....	If the fuse was pulled between the previous flight and the crash then yes, the CVR can only record when it has power Pulling the fuse or going behind the panel and cutting the wire will prevent it from recording.
How do airlines dispose of a passenger jet when it's no longer airworthy? When a plane is finally considered to not be airworthy, what happens to them? Do they take them apart bit by bit? Do they sink them offshore to make them into reefs? Are parts stripped and sold as spares? Are there legal procedures the airline...	Generally the planes are scrapped by a recycling company .
How to find polar curves of airliners? The pilots operating manual of our Cessna 182 contains the lift-versus-alpha and lift-versus-drag data of the airplane, so I assume this is data that should be publicly available. Is there a trustworthy resource where I can get the polar curves of different aircraft, especially a...	I was moderately surprised to learn, however, that there are surprisingly well-modelled drag curves for many modern jet transport aircraft including the Boeing 777 in a book called Aerodynamic Design of Transport Aircraft by Obert.
What are the major non-pilot causes of GA accidents? I'm considering getting a private pilot license. From what I've read, pilot error is the leading cause of major airline crashes -- such as on this page , but that's for major commercial carriers. As the pilot, pilot error is something that I can address myself. One ...	So having good maintenance, and doing a very thorough check afterwards, will help. I have seen engine failures caused by accessories or other components external to the actual internal powerplant.
Can cabin pressure be lower than outside pressure? In order to allow adaption to changed pressure, the pressure change in an aircraft cabin is stretched out over time. My observation is that the cabin pressure drops even before the plane takes off, and has not yet reached ground level at the time the aircraft lands. Th...	To my knowledge there is no aircraft that has the equipment to purposely create a lower pressure inside the cabin. It is conceivable that an aircraft could have a negative pressure differential on descent.
How are credit cards processed during flight? If telephones/smartphones/tablets are not allowed on planes, how comes when you buy duty free items from the cabin crew and pay by cc they will use the card reader? I suppose that in order to remove credit there must be some sort of connection to the various credit cards c...	Credit cards are swiped via wireless handhelds on aircraft but the transactions are processed when the aircraft gets on the ground.
How are off-wing jet engines transported? One of the optional services in Rolls-Royce TotalCare is "Engine Transportation" This service includes routine transportation of engines between the customer’s main base (or designated station) and the engine shop, and/or remote site transportation. Jet engines can be ver...	Jet engine transportation is a highly specialized task, the primary method is ground transportation via truck and trailer.
Why does the Boeing 737 have 5 x the passenger fatalities of the Airbus 320? I thought I'd compare the accident rates of these two similar, competing, very successful aircraft. 737 A320Introduced 1968 1988Number Built 8104 6171Accidents/Incidents 329 60Hull Loss Acci...	So, in short, I don't think any one factor explains the difference, but the sum of several factors, most of them being related to age, does explain the difference. If we want to draw any conclusions, it could be that the A320 is indeed a safer aircraft, but the certainty of this conclusion is very low, being based on a...
Do stealth airplanes need to limit contrail generation? Stealth aircraft have low visibility on radar. I assume that they strive to achieve low visibility optically as well, e.g. spend some effort to not stand out too much visually from the surroundings. A condensation trail (during daytime against a bright sky...	Not just stealth aircraft, most military aircraft are required to avoid contrails.
Why do pilots disable the air-conditioning 'packs' during takeoff? I've realized that some pilots turn the air conditioning units (also called 'packs') OFF during takeoff, like in this video: LH456 Takeoff Video Is there any operational reason for that? <Q> The "packs" (or A/C on the aircraft) are powered by engine b...	Best answer that I can think of, without the exact engineering or design info, is that since the A/C packs are run with engine bleed air, if you need the extra thrust from the engines, you'd turn off the packs for that extra power for take off...
Why is the fatality rate in the Diamond DA40 so remarkably lower than the SR20/22? I assume it has a lot to do with the stall characteristics, but with the SR20/22 having a combined 1.6/100,000 Fatal rate and the DA40 having .35/100,000 Fatal, it seems like a very stark difference. Additionally, the SR-- has a ballisti...	Not sure how true it is, but one theory I've heard about the high accident rate of the SR22 is the parachute. The Diamond's also have robust fuel lines that resist pinching and breaking in the event of a crash.
What is the advantage of the two-part rudder and how does it work? I saw that some aircraft's rudder is composed of an upper rudder and a lower rudder (B727, A380, ...) as illustrated: Image Source I wonder how does it work compare to a normal rudder and what are the pros and cons of the two-parts rudder over the on...	Split rudders also provide a finer high speed control, in that only the lower one moves at high speed, reducing the exposed surface area and therefore the control effect.
Where does the APU draw its intake air? In an airliner, where does the APU draw its intake air? Is it a similar location for all airliners, or do different options exist? <Q> Aircraft place the inlet in different places though, and some even put the APU somewhere different. <S> For some examples: 737 intake, the smal...	The APU is usually located at the rear of the aircraft, in the tail, so the intake is generally somewhere on the side of this location.
Why are the lights inside commercial airplanes turned off during take off and landing? Before landing and taking off, I notice the lights inside commercial aircraft are greatly reduced. I don't buy the explanation of power saving in case full thrust is needed as nowaday lights don't need a lot of energy and the crew sa...	If the cabin lights do not fail during an emergency, the dimmed light also makes it easier to identify the "EXIT" signs which illuminate and make the guidance lighting on the floor easier to follow.
How can I take 360° panoramic pictures in an aircraft or helicopter? I would like to receive some answer or advice on how to create 360 panorama images.My plan is to use Cessna or Helicopter. <Q> This is as much a photography question as an aviation one. <S> The type of aircraft you might want depends on the type of pi...	If you want a picture from low altitude, showing the area nearby, a helicopter or a quadcopter (depending on local regulations) would be ideal.
What can I do on the ground in order to help my body acclimate to aerobatics? I've just started aerobatics training! Unfortunately, my middle ear really messes with me, particularly during loops. Strangely, aileron rolls give me no trouble at all. I know from other experienced aerobatic pilots that you can get used t...	2) Flying as much as I could, and when I did, I would fly until I felt sick, then fly straight and level until I felt a bit better, then would do an avalanche maneuver (snap-roll at the top of a loop), then would fly straight and level again... and do it again, gradually pushing myself.
Why is the "Dutch" roll called so? Why is the "Dutch" roll called so? When did this name enter common usage, and what is its origin? Please cite sources if possible! <Q> According to Wikipedia : "The origin of the name Dutch roll is uncertain. <S> However, it is likely that this term, describing a lateral asymmetric...	In 1916, Dutch Roll was the term used for skating repetitively to right and left (by analogy to the motion described for the aircraft) on the outer edge of one's skates.
What's that component between the engine and wing? It's on most commercial aircraft and large aircraft with turbofan engines... Is there a specific name for it? Does it serve any other functions apart from attaching to the wing and feeding the engine the essentials? Has there been any aviation incidents that involved s...	It's a hard-point called an "engine pylon". It holds the engine on the wing, provides a path for all of the engine systems to connect, and includes the aerodynamic fairing to cover it all.
How are maps loaded in UAVs? My question intends to find out how maps are downloaded/buffered at Ground Control Station's for UAV operations. I understand GPS transmitters relay the exact location of an aircraft on a map. However, the map needs to be loaded/buffered in real time as the UAV covers ground. For a UAV a...	Military UAV's have a library of maps (on a hard drive associated with the ground control station) that the pilot chooses from while flying.
Why tail wheel rather than tricycle? I'm working towards my tail wheel rating and enjoying it greatly. But, people ask me why some planes have a conventional landing gear (tail wheel). Why indeed? I understand perhaps why they had them originally, but is it just historical reasons? Seems like maybe it can have slightl...	The relatively high drag and long lever arm of the tailwheel or skid will help to pull the aircraft straight at low speeds when rudder control power is low. Also, not only the weight, but also the drag of two wheels is less than that of three.
Do aeroplanes have to balance torque like helicopters? Helicopters need a tail rotor to balance the torque reaction that tends to rotate the main body sideways. Doesnt a single-engine plane suffer the same problem? I would imagine that (for example) the left wing would dip lower than the right due to the torque. How is...	As others have pointed out, torque effects have to be countered using the normal aerodynamic controls available to the pilot.
Is the climb rate different for short-haul flight and long-haul flight? A short-haul flight does not spend much time in its cruise level (let's say less than two hours). Thus, it is important to rapidly reach the optimal flight level and I think this kind of aircraft should be optimised to climb. On the opposite, on lo...	What short flights do is stop the climb at lower altitude (than permitted by load), because the time spent on higher level would be too short for the lower fuel consumption to offset the additional fuel needed to get there. On descent, the number of engines is less relevant, so the descent speeds of all types are simil...
What can pilots do to spot the onset of hypoxia? If there is a loss of/lack of air pressure at high altitude, without an explosive decompression (for instance as on Helios 522 or N47BA ) are there any signs that pilots can look out for that they might not be getting enough oxygen? Does an audible alarm exist on any...	One option is to experience hypoxia in a controlled setting first, such that you know what altitude you might start feeling symptoms around and which symptoms are the ones you tend to express.
Is the hydraulic fluid artificially colored? A normal aircraft has multiple hydraulic circuit, identified by colors (e.g. according to the ATSB final report of the QF32 the green hydraulic line was disabled; according to the BEA final report of the AF4590 the Concorde had a yellow, a blue and a green circuit, ...). I u...	Any colored hydraulic system components are generally purple (like the fluid). The fluid is artificially colored, but this does not depend on which circuit it is in. Color is not a reliable indicator of fluid quality , and we recommend that the system be sampled for chemical analysis to determine if it is suitable for ...
What is the purpose of VFR-on-top? VFR-on-top is an IFR clearance in the US that a pilot can request to allow an IFR flight to use VFR altitudes provided that it can remain in VMC. Requesting and receiving a VFR-on-top clearance doesn't cancel the IFR flight plan. When is this clearance useful? It allows the pilot a ...	VFR-on-top can turn a bad weather day into a training day, and anytime you can do that (and get real-world actual instrument experience on top of it) is a good day. With this clearance the pilot can fly any altitude they want within this block of altitudes without having to contact ATC for further clearance.
What is the name of the maximum altitude at which a helicopter can fly? What is the name of the maximum altitude at which a helicopter can fly? I recall it as "vertical limit", but I can't find a Wikipedia page for it other than a movie of the same title, which seems to concern mountain climbing altitudes. <Q> Usuall...	Like with fixed wing aircraft, it is called the ceiling .
What's the purpose of partial autopilot disengagement after applying certain force to the control wheel? Aeroflot Flight 593 crashed after the autopilot was partially disabled by applying certain force to the control wheel but the only function which was disabled was controlling the ailerons. This partial disengagemen...	The autopilot will disconnect on large control inputs because this is the most intuitive way to control the plane.
Has Airbus planned to build a larger version of the A380? The current Airbus A380-800 could carry over 800 people. Has Airbus planned to build a new, larger version that could carry 1000 or more passengers? <Q> Has Airbus planned to build a larger version of the A380? <S> Yes, <S> In 2012 they planned to build a...	Airbus has certainly made preliminary plans for a stretched version of the A380 ( the A380-900 ,) but no plans currently exist for that model to go into production.
How often is communication lost with aircraft? I just read the NTSB press release of Northwest Airlines Flight 188 that flew more than one hour without making any radio contact. I imagine there may be many causes for losing radio contact with the ground (distraction, electrical failure,...) and I found a video (in ...	A supervisor at the local ATC facility (medium sized TRACON/Tower) said they have loss of radio several times a month.
Where do all the bullets end up? When planes engage with guns, many of the shots are misses... what happens to the bullets? Do they kill people on the ground and damage facilities? Do we have any records of this happening? <Q> Do they kill people on the ground? <S> Almost certainly a few do. <S> People struck by ...	If the plane is at sufficient altitude and shoots a bullet straight down, the bullet will encounter enough air resistance to slow to terminal velocity.
What radios are airliners / large aircraft equipped with? I know that pilots have to talk to the tower over the radio, and apparently you have to tune the radio to the right tower frequency. I've also heard that in an emergency, you're supposed to "squawk 7700." Presumably you're not just making bird noises with your m...	This depends on the plane - some planes don't have radios at all!
If AWOS reports IFR conditions but I can see at least three miles, can I take off or land? The uncontrolled airfield where I have my airplane gets foggy in the morning occasionally, but there have been times when there is just a little fog where the AWOS station sits so it reports 1/4 mile visibility and undetermined c...	A part 91 IFR flight can legally depart in zero visibility so there would be no issue there, provided that you get your clearance on the ground first, before entering IMC.
Which hand do fighter pilots use for the control stick? Here is a question that has been bothering me for a while. Do right-handed fighter pilots use their right hand to hold the control stick? And do left-handed fighter pilots use their left hand? Or is it the other way around? Or do they maybe use both hands a lot ...	With a few exceptions side by side cockpits have wheels and the throttle and trim are between the seats so that the pilot in the left seat, usually the pilot in command, uses his left hand on the wheel and the other pilot uses his right hand on the wheel.
Is it possible to go-around at Lukla Airport? On this airport , it seems the runway end with a wall followed by a mountains . Thus the pilots physically can't overrun the runway and if they decide to interrupt the landing, the go-around maneuver seems to include a very tight turn to avoid the mountain unless performe...	The topography of the place makes any go-around impossible.
What determines in which direction a runway is used? A nearby airport has a single 05/23 runway (3900m long), where airplanes start and land in one direction during certain periods and in the opposite direction during other periods. How is the direction determined -- I assume it's air traffic control which decides th...	Runway in use is based on wind, most of the time, with aircraft taking off into the wind.
How do you compare private jet and commercial jet efficiency? I'm curious about commercial airplane efficiency vs private jet efficiency. I was trying to compare something like a modern 737 flying a full commercial flight from NYC to LA vs an Embraer Phenom 300 at full capacity (8 people) flying the same route. I kno...	This kind of comparison is just about useless - direct cost per seat-kilometer is as basic as you can get, and even that one is very rough.
How do big planes like 737 manage fresh air for passengers during flight? How do the big planes (e.g. A380 or 737) flying on high altitudes manage to get fresh air for passengers and crew during the flight? I know the inner space of the plane used for passengers and crew is sealed and the pressure is maintained within...	A few aircraft types, such as the 787, now use a compressor to take in air from under the aircraft.
Is it possible to recover dumped fuel? During emergencies pilots are authorised to dump fuel, but is there any way or method to recover the fuel that has been jettisoned? <Q> In practical terms, no. <S> If you wanted to save/recover the dumped fuel then you would have only two basic options: dump the fuel as usual and ...	You'd have to either have another aircraft fly in formation in some sort of reverse in-air refueling system, or the pilots would need to fly over a system on the ground which would collect the fuel.
Is this takeoff of a 767 in bad weather conditions a normal procedure? In this video , a 767 takes off in bad weather conditions. The comments of the video aren't very professional, so I ask here: Is this a legitimate takeoff? Some comments say that this was a close takeoff. Some comments do point out that on rotat...	From the video it's hard to tell what the crosswind was in this particular situation, so it is impossible to tell about the legitimacy of this take-off.
How is the cargo hold volume for passenger aircraft designed? An A380 has up to 2 decks for passengers and only 1 deck for cargo (for passenger's luggage), whereas a B777 has 1 deck for passengers and 1 deck for luggages. It looks like the volume of luggage per passenger is reduced in a A380 compared to a B777. Is that...	In the case of the A380, there is a large bulk hold as well as plenty of room for other cargo.
Can I fly with an airband receiver in the United States? I'm flying with American Airlines on a cross-country flight soon and was thinking about bringing along my airband receiver/scanner since it'd be fun to listen to ATC. It looks like I'd be unable to use it during the flight since any type of radio isn't allowed. ...	In the US, it's perfectly legal to bring an airband receiver or scanner through security and on to an airplane.
How do I select an aircraft mechanic? So Uncle Bob just died and left me 3.14 million dollas. Or else I hit the lottery, or what have you. Whatever the case may be, I've decided that today is the day I buy myself an airplane. Harrison Ford has one and by God I want one too. This means that I need a mechanic. W...	you can almost certainly find a mechanic at your local general aviation airport - ask the FBO where you're storing the plane for recommendations or talk to other pilots on the ramp about who they use for maintenance. You will find a number of maintenance facilities that can service anything from a Piper Cub to the Conc...
How do I determine the VFR pattern altitude at an airport? How do I determine the VFR pattern altitude at an airport? Can I find it on a sectional? <Q> In April 2013, the FAA's Charting Group met to discuss this question . <S> The standard pattern used to be 800 ft AGL, and the Chart Supplement (formerly called Ai...	The FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook says The traffic pattern altitude is usually 1,000 feet above the elevation of the airport.
How is the weight of an airplane measured? Many very large airplanes have specific information of their empty weight. For instance the weight of an empty, regular 747-400 is 393,263 lb (178,756 kg) according to Wikipedia. The Concorde is 78,700 kg. How is the weight of these airplanes measured so precisely (note that ...	The empty weight of airplanes can only be given to single-pound precision for one specific airplane.
How do pitch attitude, airspeed and sink rate come into play in a rapid descent or a dive? So, I have a hypothetical aircraft that needs to get from FL350 to 10,000' as quickly as possible. What is the difference in sink rate between a 'standard' airliner rapid descent (idle thrust, extended spoilers, and nose slight...	In a rapid descent, airspeed is controlled and the pilots will keep it below $v_D$, the maximum dive speed for which the aircraft is certified.
How to do a Rapid Descent in a jet with inoperative spoilers? So, let us assume you are in a simulator for your favorite jet plane, and the instructor gives you a LOFT (Line-Oriented Flight Training) scenario that goes as follows: A normal takeoff and climb to cruise altitude, and perhaps thirty minutes of normal cru...	There primary consideration in an emergency descent is to descend at the maximum allowable airspeed in the given configuration.
Why are flaps retracted when an aircraft is parked on ground? I found this question . One of the answer tell the flaps are generally retracted after landing. I assume this mean flaps are retracted when the airplane is on the ground between flights. Flaps are extended for landing and then extended again for take off. ...	you retract your flaps so you don't keep hitting your head on the flap when you are bent over walking around your plane :)
What should a pilot do when flying in the vicinity of parachute jumpers? There are several airfields nearby where parachuting activities routinely take place. How far away is considered to be a safe distance from the airfield when flying past it en-route to another destination? Are there any particular frequencies to m...	In Europe, it's generally a good idea to be on the Flight Information Service (FIS) frequency, where you can receive information about active drop zones and/traffic information to the airplane performing the drop, as they need to call in on the FIS frequency and announce when they start the drop. Under no circumstances...
Can I use motor oil in a aircraft piston engine? In one episode of the 'reality' show Airplane Repo a pilot topped off an aircraft engine with motor oil; I think it was a Cessna 182 but I may be wrong. What would be the effect on the engine? Is it a practical (and safe) alternative if aviation oil isn't available? <Q...	Automotive oil contains a number of additives, such as detergents and wear inhibitors, intended for use where the oil doesn't burn off.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having landing gear doors? To make comparison easy, let us take the example of B737 and A320, both similar aircrafts with retractable landing gear. As seen on the photo below, the B737 doesn't have gear doors for the wheels, but the A320 does Obviously, Boeing and Airb...	The gear doors provide a good aerodynamic surface Opening to gear bay can be larger and easier to access Drawbacks of gear doors
Why do passenger embark on the left side of an aircraft? I speak of passenger aircraft that can be found on large airports.The left side is used by passengers (and the crew) to embark/disembark (see the position of jet bridges ) and the other side to embark/disembark the rest (e.g. food). Why do we always use the lef...	The cost of dual-side jetways doesn't have a reasonable payoff. It's also easier to climb up an aircraft if your stronger arm is toward the fuselage and handholds.
Does it make sense towing airplanes to the head of airstrip by external (eg electric) means? Does it make sense towing airplanes to the head of airstrip by electric means, whether internal or external? Taxiing from the gate to the runway on jet power seems like a waste of fuel. Is it possible and it would make sense t...	As of 2015 Taxibot, a semi-robotic towbarless tractor which meets and connects to aircraft, is the only alternative taxiing system certified and currently in use by airlines in the market. From what I remember, using electric motors are still pretty expensive, and also you're using them for a very short time frame, suc...
Why is AVGAS so much more expensive than car gas? Why is 100LL so much more expensive than gasoline for cars? I get the fact that it's 100LL, instead of 87, 91, etc. For example (as of now, 13 Oct 14), the 91 unleaded gas at my local gas station is 3.41USD, and the 100LL at my local airport is 5.49USD (for the self s...	The LL of 100LL stands for Low Lead as it has tetra-ethyl lead added as a detonation inhibitor for high-performance engines. It's a specialist fuel made in much less quantities than other fuels, so a premium is added to ensure a profit Keep in mind that the Avgas is taxed less than Mogas in most places.
Why does the F-111 sometimes squirt a giant fire plume behind it? (NOT afterburners!) As seen in multiple pictures: First, this one, it appears the aircraft is spraying copious amounts of fuel into the exhaust! Surely this provides no thrust, not in the way an afterburner (which the F-111 has!) does. Is it perhaps a...	Although the giant flame plume is cosmetic, the F111 can dump fuel like this in case you need to quickly reduce the weight of the aircraft; in-flight emergencies are one possible reason to reduce weight quickly.
Is triskaedekiphobia (fear of the number 13) the reason commercial planes normally do not have a row 13? When I first time heard this "legend" I couldn't believe it. I was really surprised, if not shocked, to actually find row 13 missing on my next passenger flight. (I believe it was a Boeing 737.) Is this really due t...	Airlines think about their customer base, and in the western world the occasional person has a fear of the number 13 so some airlines choose to skip the number 13. The bottom line is that regardless of what you name it, there remains a 13th row. It's essentially 100% free for an aircraft production team to skip row 13 ...
How does a large airport switch flow? Airplanes prefer to land into the wind, and airports adjust for changing wind direction by changing the active runway. I've been flying a small plane in the pattern when the tower asked me to do a 180° turn to reverse the pattern. But at a large airport with traffic continuously ...	Busy airports have charted "arrival procedures" which tell inbound IFR planes to follow a series of named points called "fixes" or "waypoints".
Why would a Su-25, which has more power and is much lighter than an A-10, only fly half as high? On the web, on several sites, the A-10 is listed with a ceiling of 14 km, the Su-25 with 7 km, although there is data that puts the height for the Su-25 at 10 km. Nevertheless, why would the Su-25 fly only half as high as ...	An aircraft generating less lift can't fly as high, and this is likely the main reason.
How is engine thrust measured in flight? When aircraft engines are evaluated in a test flight, how is the thrust of the engine measured? You would need accurate thrust numbers to calculate the real-world specific fuel consumption (i.e. not in a controlled environment like an engine on a test bed). I'd assume it is ne...	By measuring the brake power of the static engine and the drag of the aircraft in a windtunnel, some data points can be acquired which help in calculating what the real thrust in flight could have been.
Are there any twin engine aircraft without counter-rotating props? All the twins I have checked have counter-rotating blades, so I was wondering if this was true for all twins of if there are any twins that have both blades turning in the same direction. <Q> Twin enigned aircrafts without counter-rotating propellers ...	My experience is that most light twins have the same direction and that counter rotating is the exception.
Is it possible to takeoff without flaps extended? related questions: landing wihtout flaps takeoff with full flaps My question focus on passengers jets (goes from Embraer E-jet family to Airbus A380). I don't know why pilots would attempt to takeoff without flaps but lets say they will. Considering all the othe...	The Airbus A300 and Boeing 767 are approved for such take-offs and it is being done regularly.
What was the inflight entertainment in the early seventies? In her 1970 song "This Flight Tonight", Joni Mitchell sings I'm drinking sweet champagne Got the headphones up high Can't numb you out Can't drum you out of my mind They're playing Goodbye baby, Baby Goodbye Ooh ooh love is blind The Sony Walkma...	The in-flight movies were shown using one or more common CRT TVs mounted on ceilings or walls and audio could be heard using the headsets.
What is this component in an Airbus cockpit? I have noticed that on a lot (all?) Airbus cockpits, there are these "things" (for lack of a better term) under the panel. I have highlighted them in this picture of an A340 cockpit: What are they? <Q> Since Airbus planes use a sidestick instead of the traditional center ...	This is a pull out keyboard, which is part of Electronic flight bag (EFB) .
Are the aircraft used for the A380 display ready to be delivered to airlines? For displays in international airshow, Airbus uses A380 whose livery is the one of customers. Here are some examples: Le Bourget 2011 : Korean Air Farnborough 2012 : Malaysian Airline Le Bourget 2013 : British Airways Are those aircraft...	In all cases the answer is yes, those aircraft were all outfitted with seats, and at least very close to being ready for delivery to the customer.
Can I get a photo with the pilots? Could I, as a passenger, get a picture with the pilots in the cockpit before takeoff/after landing? I'm asking specifically about any rules that would deny a passenger into the cockpit. I know this is too broad and subject to change from airline to airline, but generally would I be al...	In the US visitors are fobidden from being in the cockpit when the aircraft is in flight, but to my knowledge it is still legally permissible when parked at the gate. I don't know about the situation specifically in the US, but in my - mostly European - experience crew are happy to welcome you to their office after fli...
How reliable are stick shakers? I've read many accident reports, and seen reconstructions, where instrument failures, disagreeing sensor sources and auto pilot faults have led pilots into believing that they are over speeding when they are not (think AF447), are descending when they are actually climbing etc. It seems...	I think the answer to this is can be covered by one of the great aviation mantras: "always trust your instruments"
During which part of the flight the effect of air resistance is more important? Her teacher asked this question to my niece (8 years old)? However I couldn't find a solid answer either. In which part of the flight, the effect of the air resistance (drag) is more important? Takeoff, cruise, descent or landing? <Q> The a...	Drag (Air resistance) plays a part in all phases of flight, its most critical during takeoff or landing as this is when it will have the most drastic/immediate effect.
How does flying with flaps differ from flying with airbrakes? I've got a private pilot license and learned on a Scheibe Falke SF25 . For the last year however I've only been flying a C42 Ultralight . I find flying the UL way easier for one particular reason: it has flaps where the Falke has just airbrakes. I don't ...	The flaps allow you to slow further, which reduces your ground roll and also increases drag.
How do Throttle control and Propeller control work together? I haven't been able to understand. If propeller control controls the pitch of the blades in a constant speed engine, what do the throttle control do? I've seen (in some normal operation manuals for some planes) that you have a Torque limit and control the ...	Throttle" really means the restriction flap in carburettor, so in diesel and turbine engines where fuel flow is controlled instead the lever is called a "power" or "thrust" lever.
How much does it cost to learn to fly in the UK, and what restrictions are there? Flying has been a dream for me since I was a little boy. My absolute dream career was to be a fighter pilot in the RAF. It's obviously a very hard career to get into, however I fell even before the first hurdle when I found out that I'm c...	At most clubs, you can expect to pay around £20 per hour to hire a glider, around £30 for an aerotow launch and around £8 for a winch launch.
Can rotorcraft pick up a dangerous electric charge? So, I was re-watching The Hunt For Red October, (in light of current Russian shenanigans with Sweden), and there was a scene in which a crew-member on the ground was electrocuted by making contact (and presumably grounding) the helicopter, which had picked up a charge...	In the same way than an aircraft will build static charge on the wings from friction with the air, the same thing can happen with helicopters from fast moving blades.
How are go-arounds safe with close parallel runways? Some airports operate simultaneous take off and landing on parallel but close runways. By close, I mean like the pairs of runways at LAX . What if a landing aircraft makes a go-around at the same time as another aircraft takes off? How is separation maintained? Wou...	In the situation you described, divergence is the quickest and safest way to achieve separation.
What radio frequencies are used for intercom in formation flying? What radio frequencies are used for air-to-air intercom in formation flying? I assume there is a difference between military and civil aviation (e.g a group of GA aircrafts flying as a formation). I found a couple of civil UNICOM frequencies here (e.g...	Many large aircraft have multiple radios, UHF and VHF, as well as digital radios, so depending on the mission, they may use a specified area frequency, or a "local" frequency, or a specific military channel. There are also other frequencies allowed based on location (Hawaii, Los Angeles, and the Grand Canyon).
What criteria does ATC apply to determine if an aircraft is established on the localizer if the pilot does not report it? How close in time or distance will ATC let a pilot fly to the localizer, before cancelling the approach clearance, where the pilot has not reported being established? Is it the controller's call whe...	If an aircraft is not established on the localizer, there is no point in continuing the approach, so it will be cancelled and the aircraft revectored.
Can civilians fly military aircraft? I saw a few videos of the Sukhoi Su-35 doing some amazing aerobatics and I was wondering if a civilian could ever fly one - either for aerobatics or just fly it as their personal jet. Obviously assume adequate training, fitness, budget, time etc. I assume you'll have to start on a...	So in general, if you can buy a military aircraft legally in your country, if you have enough money for operations and maintenance, if you can find someone to train you, and if you can comply with your local regulations on non-type (experimental) aircraft then you can absolutely do it.
Is engine damage due to a fan blade failure irreparable? I have a question related to this question and this video . The question says that sometimes a fan blade failure can occur. My question now is, if a fan blade separates or a malfunction occurs, is the engine still repairable? I think the damage to the eng...	Whether an engine is repairable is dependent on the failure.
What is the oldest aircraft still in production? What is the oldest aircraft still in production? I Googled it but only got the answer to the oldest military aircraft still in production. <Q> Longest production run (civil) <S> Even during the general aviation downturn in the US of the 1980s & 90s, production continue...	The Beechcraft Bonanza seems like a likely candidate for 'oldest design still being made'; first flight was 1945, and it's still in production today (albeit made by the same parent company that makes Cessnas!).
Why aren't test planes remote controlled? There was a recent accident where SpaceShip2 broke apart in mid-flight, killing one and injuring another. Given that we can remotely control drones from the other side of the world, why couldn't we do the same with this test airplane? Considering that it's all launched locall...	Taking a plane that is designed to be operated by humans and retrofitting a system for remote control would be a big task.
Does the pressure change inside a plane when it is opened for paratroopers? Does the pressure change inside a plane when it is opened for paratroopers? <Q> For low deployment the cabin pressure is already equal to the outside pressure. <S> For High altitude jumps the pressure is reduced to the outside pressure before...	When you open the door, Bernoulli's principle guarantees the pressure in the cabin will drop (yes, lower than outside).
Can you obtain a pilot license with impaired vision / being blind in one eye? A friend of mine is blind in one eye and has normal vision in the other eye. Would this prevent him from getting a Private Pilots License in the US? <Q> An applicant will be considered monocular when there is only one eye or when the best c...	I have never noticed an issue with flying with vision in only one eye. It's possible to get a special issuance medical certificate in this case :
Why does Schiphol Airport have such a long taxi? I recently flew into Schiphol and experienced a very long taxi time (about 20 minutes) from landing to pulling into the pier at the terminal. Given that the flight was only 90 minutes from closing air plane doors to opening air plane doors. I feel that over 20% of flight...	Which part of the airport the traffic will be taxiing to and how long of a line there is for each runway also may factor into the decision.
Why do lavatories in modern planes still have ash trays? Last week I flew on a modern B737-700 . I noticed that the lavatory was equipped with ashtrays (both on the inside as on the outside) even with the smoking sign on it. Smoking on airplanes has been banned from quite some time now, so why are lavatories still bu...	Smoking may be prohibited, but if a passenger smokes anyway, you don't want the remains of the cigarette to start a fire due to improper disposal, as probably happened with Varig Flight 820 :
What if pilot feels too tired before his flight? Today is a day when I feel terribly tired. I'm not ill, but I could sleep all the day, though I had enough sleep last night. This is not a problem if you have an office job where you can probably be not as productive than on other days. But what about pilots? They are e...	Although, the most commonly known reason for fatigue is lack of sleep, but any or all of the following can cause fatigue: Lack of quality sleep
Why did the Ju-87 Stuka have a siren? Why did the Ju-87 Stuka have a siren? Was this for purely psychological reasons or did it help the pilot in some way? <Q> Wikipedia : <S> The B-1 [variant] was also fitted with "Jericho trumpets", essentially propeller-driven sirens with a diameter of 0.7 m (2.3 ft) mounted on...	So, yes, it was purely psychological and actually hindered the pilot by reducing air speed in ordinary flight and they were removed when they stopped having the psychological effect.
How is lift provided by a wing affected by propeller wake? Does the lift of that section of the wing which is in the wake of the propeller increase (because the airspeed in that section is higher)? If yes, is this fact used actively to improve the lift capability? Or does it decrease significantly because of turbulen...	Results indicate that the lift coefficient of the powered wing could be increased by the propeller slipstream when the rotational speed (disk loading) was increased and high-lift devices were incorporated.
What are the pros and cons of single-engine vs. twin-engine? Why would someone prefer to own a single-engine vs. a twin-engine airplane? What are the pros and cons of each? <Q> In the light aircraft world there are a few trade-offs to consider. <S> The short version: Single-Engine Pros: <S> Simplicity One engi...	A twin engine has twice the chance of engine failure that the single engine has! The con of having just the single engine is of course the consequence of an engine fail .
Is it possible to use reverse thrust while airborne? I play a flight-sim called X Plane. The other day while I was approaching an airport a little too fast and knew I couldn't slow down in time. I decided to use the reverse thrust while I was still in the air and this helped dramatically and I was able to land safely. ...	The Pilatus PC-6 (a turboprop) can be put the prop into reverse pitch and descend nearly vertically.
What exactly is a UK IMC rating? In chat , falstro mentioned the "UK IMC rating" and described it as "a lighter version of an instrument rating, allows enroute IFR, but no approaches or departures" (although to be fair he also said that he isn't familiar with the exact definition). The name "IMC rating" implies that...	The UK IMC rating (I have one) is a national rating which allows departures, approaches and flight in instrument meteorological conditions, albeit with higher minimums.

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