Split (1)

train · 95.7k rows

source stringlengths 620 29.3k	target stringlengths 12 1.24k
Is constant air pressure maintained inside the fuselage? I just heard it somewhere but I'm not sure about it. If it is, then why don't they build airtight fuselages? <Q> For the purposes of air pressure inside aircraft, they are broken down into two broad categories: <S> Unpressurized - These aircraft are typicall...	In typical jet airplanes, the pressure inside portions of the airplane (typically the passenger compartment, some of the cargo holds, and maybe an avionics bay) at cruising altitude is maintained at a pressure which corresponds to an outside air pressure at an altitude of about 5,000 - 8,000 feet (referred to as " cab ...
Can resistive fuel senders/transducers be repaired/reconditioned? I need to replace two fuel senders in each wing of a Socata TB20, and a replacement is almost $500. I wanted to know whether a shop exists in the US that reconditions these? After some research, I'm still not sure if reconditioning resistive fuel sende...	There are shops that do this and egid gave you a couple of hints on how to find one , but your local mechanic can probably recondition your fuel sender about as well as any of the specialty shops, as long as they're not squeamish about opening up the unit (and as long as the unit can be opened up - I'm not sure about t...
How does an aircraft taxi? Does an aircraft use its engines to taxi or is it always pulled by some other vehicle? I have seen a small lorry pulling it sometimes; is it really pulling the huge thing, or does the aircraft use its own power somehow? <Q> Aircraft are not always moved with tugs <S> (the small vehicle yo...	They use high-torque motors and the aircraft APU to allow the aircraft to move itself without starting its engines or requiring a tug to be connected and disconnected. Usually an aircraft taxies under its own power.
What makes the ailerons on an aerobatic airplane different than the ailerons on a non-aerobatic airplane? I often hear a spec of the "roll-rate" when talking about aerobatic airplanes and the term "fast ailerons." What exactly does that mean, and what makes the ailerons on an aerobatic airplane different than the ailer...	The term "fast ailerons" is an informal term that generally refers to the response of the plane relative to the pilot's input to the aileron controls on the stick or yolk.
How is GPS RAIM availability calculated? I recently had someone ask me if there was a GPS RAIM availability calculator available for the iPad. There isn't, but it got me thinking that I could write one. After doing some searching, I can't find a good explanation of how to calculate RAIM availability, so am looking fo...	RAIM availability calculations are simply checking to see if at least 5 satellites will be visible, that's all it is.
What is the minimum possible number of hours required to carry passengers? Not factoring learning curve, personal safety minimums, and pilot proficiency, what is the absolute minimum flight time that must be logged in order to carry a passenger in a piston engine aircraft in the United States? I'm am looking for an an...	I believe the answer, at least in the US is 20 hours of flight time, plus however long a checkride takes. 20 hours of flight time, including at least 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane and at least 5 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in §61...
What process do I follow to land a civilian aircraft on a military base? Let's say I have business on a US military base (e.g. JBLM), and I'd like to fly a privately owned aircraft there. What is the process I follow before the flight to get approval to land, and once I'm enroute to ensure everything goes smoothly? <Q>...	If you want to land on the McChord airfield, you have to have Air Force permission.
What is the difference between LNAV/VNAV and LPV minimums on an RNAV approach? This approach shows two sets of minimums that both have vertical guidance with a Decision Altitude (DA). What is the difference between LNAV/VNAV and LPV, and why does LPV have lower minimums? <Q> There's an FAA paper on RNAV approaches t...	The difference between LPV and LNAV/VNAV is that although they both have vertical guidance, LPV was intentionally designed to be very similar to an ILS approach with an increasingly sensitive glideslope whereas LNAV/VNAV was not.
Are there any aircraft with a nose wheel braking system? I'm pretty sure that there are no aircraft equipped with a brake on its nose wheel, however two of my colleagues think there might have been. Are there? Aircraft with retractable gear of course have devices to stop the wheels from spinning when retracted, but ...	There are quite a few 727 that actually had nose wheel braking, however they utilized it only for maximum braking power.
What is the procedure when being vectored for an approach and ATC allows you to pass through the final approach course? If you are on a heading, being vectored to intercept final on an instrument approach, and it appears that you will fly through the final approach without being cleared to intercept it, what should you...	If approach course crossing is imminent and the pilot has not been informed that the aircraft will be vectored across the final approach course, the pilot should query the controller.
What should I do with fuel drained from the sumps during preflighting? What should one do when done sumping a small amount of fuel during a pre-flight? Should it be dumped on the ramp? Or is it considered necessary to find the container far away from the airplane? Is it considered safe to dump it right back into the p...	You should dispose of it in a fuel disposal container, if your airport has them (and many states require it). Unless you have the proper kind of fuel tester (e.g., GATS jar with intact fuel strainer), do not attempt to save the fuel drained from the sumps by pouring it back into the tank.
Could the CVR and FDR record to the cloud? Another enthusiast question. I watch a lot of the National Geographic Channel's "Air Crash Investigation", for better or worse, and it seems accident investigators make tremendous use of the Cockpit Voice Recorder "CVR" and Flight Data Recorder "FDR" to determine the chain of ...	In short, it just isn't practical with today's technology. The basic problem with transmitting CVR & FDR data to the ground from flight is the sheer amount of data that is generated by today's sophisticated airplanes.
Why are updraft carburetors standard in aviation? My only detailed experience with carburetors is in aircraft. I'm pretty familiar with the principles behind float-type carbs, but I recently saw a schematic for a "downdraft carburetor" with a choke valve. This got me curious, so I did a little research and found that w...	With an updraft carburetor, the spilled fuel tends to fall out before it can foul anything.
Rotax engines have no mixture control, how do they handle less dense air? Rotax engines have no mixture control, yet they don't seem to have any more problems than other engines at altitude. How do they handle the lower air density in order to not get a too rich a mixture? <Q> According to this owners manual 4.5 Hi...	Some new Rotax engines, such as the 912 iS , are fuel-injected and include a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) : FADEC works by receiving multiple input variables of the current flight condition including air density, throttle lever position, engine temperatures, engine pressures, and many other parameters....
Why are student pilots' shirt tails cut after they complete their first solo? There's a standing tradition, at least in the USA, that a student pilot has their shirt cut, signed and dated by their instructor. What is the origin of this practice and what is its significance? <Q> Supposedly , this is because in the early...	In American aviation lore, the traditional removal of a new pilot's shirt tail is a sign of the instructor's new confidence in his student after successful completion of the first solo flight.
Where can Boeing wind data be found? There are various services that use world-wide Boeing Winds for forecast wind data which can be used to calculate an approximate flight time between two locations. They usually have best case, worst case, and average case for each location, altitude, and date in the future. I have...	An alternative to the Boeing data (if it exists, you might need to call one of their sales reps to find it) is publicly available meteorological data.
What are the requirements to take the private pilot check ride? In the US, what are the requirements that a student pilot must demonstrate to their examiner before they can take a checkride for their private pilot airplane certificate? <Q> Private Pilot Airplane Single-Engine Checkride Requirements <S> Instructor lo...	Eligibility Requirements ( 14 CFR 61.103 ) Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language Instructor logbook endorsement certifying your aeronautical knowledge ( 14 CFR 61.105 ) and that you are prepared for the written test ...
For large jets, what is the primary means of slowing down after landing? I understand that a large(r) commercial jet slows down after landing using the following methods: Wheel brakes Reverse thrust Spoilers/flaps/airbrakes What is the effectiveness of each compared to the others? What if one of the first 2 fails...	Finally, to address the question in the title, the wheel brakes are always the primary means of slowing the airplane. Reverse thrust is much less effective than brakes.
Is trimming aircraft to relieve pilot of applying force on control stick/Pedal still applicable? I know that historically pilots used to trim an aircraft to relieve continuous application of force during climb/cruise/descent, and at that trim tabs existed on control surfaces (elevator, ailerons, etc) which could be use...	For FBW systems, the need to balance the lift on the trim and wing is still necessary and so the need for trim still exists.
During a takeoff emergency, is it safer to abort or continue the takeoff if either can be done within the available runway? In a multi-engine airplane, if an engine failure occurs at the exact moment that a decision needs to be made to reject or continue the takeoff, and there is plenty of runway available to do either...	For an emergency involving flight controls, trim runaways, pitch trim fail, full hydraulic failure, or a windshear indication, if the remaining runway was what I knew I could land and rollout on, I would abort the takeoff.
Where can I get the FAA data that defines airspace, including MOAs etc.? I was looking at http://www.gelib.com/aeronautical-charts-united-states.htm , where you can download shape files for Google Earth that show US airspaces. I'm writing some software that has a similar need and need to find a source for this data. ...	You are looking for Aeronautical Navigation Products ( AeroNav Products ) (formerly NACO). The current information can be downloaded at: https://nfdc.faa.gov/xwiki/bin/view/NFDC/56+Day+NASR+Subscription
Why is "dragging it in" considered bad in small aircraft, but fine in larger aircraft? In larger aircraft, shallow, high-power approaches are performed as a matter of routine, but in light aircraft it seems to be frowned upon, especially in clear weather and smooth fields. Why is "dragging it in" considered bad in smal...	In a single-engine aircraft you want to always be in a position to land if the engine fails, so you don't want to get too far from the runway, while in a multi-engine aircraft you can continue the approach if an engine fails.
What is the difference between a crabbed and de-crab landing? Both landings are done when an airplane's nose is not in inline with the runway. How are these two different? when should one technique be preferred over other? <Q> Consider where the center of gravity is in relation to the main wheels. <S> If you are in a t...	Crabbing: upon touchdown the airplane tracks towards the upwind edge of the runway while de-crabbing to align with the runway.
What is the best strategy for landing when a flock of birds is on the runway? At a controlled airport, the tower advises large flocks of small birds at the approach end of the runway. I'm in a small trainer aircraft like a Cherokee or Cessna 172. Should I request to land the other way (Rwy 9 vs 27), proceed as normal ...	If they're "airport birds" you might want to just land.
Is it safe to use a parallel runway's PAPI/VASI? Many airports have parallel runways but only one runway has a PAPI/VASI. If both runways start at the same point and have similar touch-down points, is it safe to use the parallel runway's lights for the approach and landing? <Q> Per the AIM ( 2-1-2 - Visual Glideslope I...	There could be obstacles on the parallel that the other PAPI would not give you clearance over because it was never surveyed for that.
What happens when a turbo-prop is over-torqued? What does one need to do when a turboprop engine gets over-torqued? I haven't over-torqued an engine before, but it seems it could happen inadvertently, say while doing a go-around. My questions are: Why is important not to over-torque an engine? What happens if y...	This short answer is that you could break something if you over torque the engine.
Who decides what measurement units are used for altitude, and why is there no standard? I know that some countries (Russia and China for instance) use meters to measure altitude while the rest of the world uses feet. Why isn't this standardized around the world? I guess all modern cockpit instruments nowdays offer bo...	In response to the pros/cons of feet vs. meters, the big advantage that feet have over meters, is that it allows you to use nice human-memorable numbers for cruising altitudes.
How does the mounting location of a jet engine affect aircraft performance? Different jet airplanes mount the engines in different ways. For example: Under the wing To the fuselage How does the engine location affect aircraft performance? Is one better than the other? <Q> Engine location performance-affecting...	On the fuselage in the back Pros Helps to prevent debris from entering the engine, allows for more room for flaps on the wing, and lighter, more aerodynamic wings since they are not holding up engines, generally allowing for slower approach speeds, also the thrust is closer to the center of the aircraft.
How do conventional and T-tails differ? What design considerations go into the decision between conventional tails and T-tails? Functionally the horizontal stabilizer/stabilator are the same in both cases, providing negative lift, the elevator control and a method for pitch trim. What are the differences though? A...	Finally, at a lower level but still a difference, using a T-tail increases the wake (compared to a conventional configuration, where the tail is almost in the wake of the main wings and the fuselage) behind your aircraft and thus the drag you need to overcome is larger. Regarding the "vertical" force equilibrium equati...
Why do commercial flights turn / bank so sharply? When I take commercial flights, or you see turns in the vapour trails, they turn very sharply. What's the reason for this - wouldn't it be more efficient to turn gradually? <Q> Airplanes are expected by air traffic control to turn at a "standard rate of turn" which is 3...	The reason for the 1.5-3° turn rate is so that Air Traffic Control can have some way to predict where an aircraft will be in x seconds.
What vertical speed at touchdown makes a 'perfect' landing? Is there a general vertical speed that pilots shoot for, or is it entirely by feel/trial-and-error? <Q> Thinking in terms of G-force, the perfect force depends on what you're landing on and how long it is. <S> The various conditions I can think of offhand are:...	I would argue that the way to think of the perfect landing is not in terms of vertical speed but rather in terms of the G-forces involved.
Can a glider make a go-around? Since gliders don't have engines, is it possible for them to go around? Are there any extra features on a glider to try to prevent that situation from happening? <Q> No. <S> A (pure) glider cannot make a go-around in the way a powered machine can. <S> The glide path can be influenced by a...	No, a glider can't make a go around, but if they are going fast enough they can make a low pass (which looks like a go around), but that generally means that they won't be in a position to actually land even if they wanted to.
Is there a minimum altitude for ejection seats? Is there generally a minimum altitude for ejecting in order for the sequence to function reliably (all the way to opening the chute, and slowing down to a survivable descent rate)? I've seen ejector seats test being done on the ground, don't know if there were actually te...	zero-zero ejection seats are designed to be usable at zero speed, zero altitude.
How long do airliner tires last? Can this be improved? I imagine that the tires on commercial jets wear out pretty fast with all those squealing landings as the tire suddenly has to spin up from zero to the speed of landing. 2 questions: How many landings does any average commercial airliner tire last before it is di...	Bizjet tires will last longer, and light aircraft tires will last indefinitely, depending on how gentle you are and what kind of surface you're landing on.
Should full flaps be deployed on takeoff? Are full flaps ever used on takeoff? One flying book I read strongly discouraged anything more than quarter flaps on most planes due to the amount of drag produced. I was just wondering if there are any scenarios where full flaps might be necessary. <Q> First, you have to re...	So when the runway is really short and there are no obstacles, full flaps might be the solution.
On a chart, how can I find the frequency for flight following? Is there a map I can refer to in order to pick up the correct frequency for VFR flight following while enroute? I know I can request a frequency from ATC as I depart, but what if I want to fly around and do sight seeing, practice maneuver for my checkride e...	In the United States, you can consult the VFR Sectional Chart and look for the frequency box located near a terminal area.
Can I use cellular data to receive in-flight weather on my iPad? I would like to use an iPad for preflight planning. Can I also use the iPad to check weather while I'm en route? <Q> Can you? <S> Yes, but service might be slow or spotty. <S> May you do so legally ? <S> That probably depends. <S> The FAA doesn't sp...	Unfortunately, in the US it is not permitted to use cellular service in flight because the FCC does not permit it. It sometimes works, but in my experience only at relatively low altitudes (I typically lose my cellular signal somewhere between 2500 and 3500 feet AGL.
Are the airport "taxi" plans available online? Whenever I sit in an aircraft and we taxi around the airport, I wonder how exactly is the airport organized, for example, the arrangement of the taxiways and runways. Is it possible to locate airport diagrams? I'm mostly interested in Paris CDG, Prague PRG and Amsterdam A...	Airport diagrams show all the taxiways and ramps, which is what you are looking for.
Why are the throttles of aircraft such as the Twin Otter placed on the overhead panel? Some aircraft such as the DHC-6 Twin Otter, have their throttles on the overhead panel: Is there a reason that they are not on a center console between the pilot seats or mounted to the panel like on most airplanes? It seems like ...	With a panel mounted throttle, it's likely that a higher-G landing on the water (or on the deck of a carrier) would result in a bent throttle. It makes for straight path for the controls to reach the engines, as all of these are fly by cable.
What does a pilot have to do in order to fly as a second in command in a private jet? If a pilot has the opportunity to fly as an SIC in a private jet, what FAA requirements must they comply with in order to fly with passengers? <Q> Don't know if the same rules still apply, but back in the 70s and 80s I used to fly leg...	Theoretically you can fly a Boeing 747 on a Private Pilots Licence as long as you have the relevant type ratings.
What happens when a temporary pilot certificate expires? What can I do if my not-so-newly issued temporary pilot certificate is about to expire and I haven't gotten my permanent certificate yet? Is there any way that I can keep flying while waiting for it, and is there a way to check on the status of the permanent cer...	The FSDO can issue you a new temporary certificate if your previous one has or is about to expire and your permanent one hasn't arrived in the mail yet.
How do Ram Air Turbines get deployed? I understand that most larger jets have a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) in case of total electrical failure (for instance, when you run out of fuel ) in order to at least have some hydraulics and a couple of instruments. The RAT gets deployed automatically at the loss of electrical syst...	The RAT is automatically deployed on many aircraft, including the CRJ and A320 series, but it can be manually released as well.
How can I know if a landing exceeds the hard landing threshold for a Cessna 172S? How does a pilot determine the difference between a firm landing, and one that needs to be written up for a hard landing inspection in a Cessna 172S? <Q> Was it uncomfortable or did it hurt? <S> If it hurt you, it probably hurt the plan...	Buckled skin or floorboards, and loose or sheared rivets in the area of the main gear support will give evidence of damage to the structure from an extremely hard landing.
When/How may I replace the Turn Coordinator with an Artificial Horizon? I've seen a few panel shots where the traditional turn coordinator has been replaced with a second artificial horizon, as shown below. The benefits seem obvious - if my artificial horizon failed I'd certainly like to have a fully functional back-...	If you have good enough artificial horizon designed to avoid gimbal-lock, the you don't need turn coordinator.
What is Crew Resource management (CRM)? I hear a lot about CRM these days (it seems to be a buzz word). It is related to safety, but what exactly is it? From what I know, it also applies to single pilot flights (even in a Cessna 150!), but where is the "crew" that is being managed in this case and how does it improv...	CRM is about making use of all available resources to safely conduct a flight.
How should the crew callout 1,000 ft. prior to assigned altitude? When climbing or descending in a multi-crew cockpit, most SOP's require a verbal callout at 1,000 ft. prior to the assigned altitude. I typically hear different callouts by different people: "One to go" "Six thousand for seven thousand" "Six thousa...	While I don't fly in a plane requiring more than one person, when there happens to be two pilots, such as one flying safety so the other can fly under the hood, I prefer the "1,000 feet remaining" or "1,000 remaining" call out. Our SOPs require Altitude leaving (climbing/descending ) to assigned altitude.
Can large aircraft go VFR? Is it legal for large, multi-crew, aircraft (such as the A380 or B747) to go VFR? I would guess it's legal just as any other aircraft. Is this ever done, like during training or test-flights? If it isn't legal, what's the limiting factor? I'm talking real VFR from take-off to landing, not an...	Occasionally non-revenue flights for aircraft positioning etc, will operate VFR for expediency. yes, even if it is operated by a 121 carrier, they are allowed to fly VFR by the regulations.
What is differential braking? How is differential braking different from regular braking? How do you accomplish differential braking and why would you need to use it? <Q> Aircraft with toe brakes have the brake pedals at the top of the rudder pedals. <S> You press the left one with top of your foot and it applies the...	To make use of differential braking, you need two brake pedals, these are typically actuated by applying toe pressure to the rudder pedals (known as toe brakes).
What is the difference between a POH and an AFM? Some aircraft come with a Pilot Operating Handbook and some come with an Aircraft Flight Manual. Why the different name, and is there a difference between them? <Q> Both a POH and an AFM meet the "Operating Limitations" requirement in the ARROW acronym. <S> The di...	Parts of the POH (like the Limitations section) are FAA-Approved, and serve as the AFM, and both documents are typically associated with a specific airframe (by serial number). A POH is less specific and generalized for a particular make or model
How does a Mach Meter determine the speed of sound at a given altitude? By my understanding, the Mach Number at a given altitude is calculated by dividing IAS by the speed of sound at that altitude. So how is this speed of sound calculated to display the Mach Number on the Mach Meter? Does the Mach Meter share the same...	Some older mechanical Machmeters not driven from an air data computer use an altitude aneroid inside the instrument that converts pitot-static pressure into Mach number. To answer your question about the pitot source for the Mach Meter: Yes, they use the same pitot and static sources as the airspeed indicator.
Do similar angles on a plane make it more stealthy? I learned in my intro to engineering class at my college that 5th gen fighters (which are stealth aircraft) are designed with similar angles to evade radar. Why is this true? Also, does the angle matter? Many of these modern fighters looks to have very similar ang...	The angles are similar because that angle was determined to have the smallest radar signature.
Is it legal to fly the localizer approach when cleared for the ILS? Most ILS approaches include localizer minimums that can be used if the glideslope transmitter or receiver fails. For example: In this case, to fly the ILS you would intercept the glideslope just before PRAIZ and fly the 3 degree glideslope down to m...	When the chart is written as in your example, you are cleared for the approach, and you must use one of the approved types of navigational equipment to fly it.
Which companies develop software for airplane systems? I am wondering which companies develop software for systems on airplanes? I am a software engineer major and I would love to work with planes in some way. I am not sure if that would be more of an electrical engineering position or not, any input would be greatly ...	As Manfred mentioned, there are quite a number of companies that develop systems for aircraft, all with a software component to it.
Do some airplanes have weighing scales on the landing gear? It seems to me that takeoff weight is an important piece of data, and if one had weighing scales between the wheels and the aircraft body, one could precisely determine it. However, searching the internet, there seem to be no scales and cargo/fuel/passenger we...	It is mostly found on freight aircraft because they have a less predictable load distribution (centre of gravity) than passenger aircraft.
Are the window wipers on jet aircraft ever deployed in flight? Many commercial airliners have car-like window-wipers. I would presume this is for taxiing only, as the wind would surely keep the windows free from water when airborne, or do they turn them on in flight? Also, don't these wipers cause a lot of drag, and ...	In the Falcon 50 and 900, we have windshield wipers that we are allowed to use in flight (up to 205 KIAS), but I have never used or seen them used in the eight years that I have been flying them because they simply aren't needed.
Why were flying boats phased out? Before WWII, flying boats were a popular form of transport, and the advantages are many: No need to build runways, capability of emergency landing on water, availability of large landing sites and no tire wear and tear. Why have they been abandoned? <Q> The biggest single reason for t...	The infrastructure advantage of flying boats – the ability to operate heavy aircraft without long runways – was no longer relevant. Also the engines need to be inspected and cleaned after every operation.
How does a commercial flight pilot handle turbulence? In general, passengers dislike turbulence. Avoiding all turbulence sometimes is not viable, as it would make the flight too long, too expensive (fuel consumed), or simply not having alternatives. How does the pilot deal with turbulence? Does he or she keep the same...	The pilot can slow down the plane, or he can try flying at a different altitude.
Can you fly a plane in a wind tunnel? There are very large wind tunnels out there. Wouldn't it be very efficient to test new airplanes flying them "on the spot" inside of these tunnels? That is, in free flight - not mounted to a pylon? One could presumably omit the test pilot and remote control them, get excellent vi...	No, you cannot fly a plane like that. And yes people are still doing it.
Where do airshow pilots practice? I would assume that buzzing the tower and general hot dogging around the airport is prohibited, so how do airshow pilots get practice? Do they practice at high altitudes? If that is the case, how do they practice stunts that by nature require low altitude, like Bob Hoover's waltzing la...	Aerobatic pilots typically use "aerobatic practice areas" when they practice. In addition to what's already been mentioned, there's usually at least one day and more often several days of practice sessions at the field where the show is to take place before the actual event.
Do any flight simulators go completely inverted? From the pictures I have seen of airline simulators, it looks like the range of motion is limited to somewhat level flight. Are there any flight simulators, possibly military trainers, that can do a complete barrel roll? <Q> These sims fall into the entertainment categor...	Full Motion Simulators (FMS) are used, primarily for transition and currency training on large aircraft which operate in the air transport category and where the training is simply impractical for both cost and safety reasons to do it in the real thing. Pulseworks makes some full motion sims that are capable of inverte...
Why does cabin air have to be dehumidified? When air is piped in from outside and into a pressurized cabin, it is also dehumidified in the process. All airlines provide beverage service on even short-haul flights to combat the dryness of the air. Why is it necessary to dehumidify cabin air? <Q> A lot of consideration...	The primary reason low humidity is desirable in most airplanes is that water contributes to corrosion and that is bad for the airframe.
What is Cost Index? I'm not sure if it's just in Boeing aircraft, but I've heard that Cost Index has something to do with flight planning but have no idea what it is. What is it for and how is it calculated? (I'm happy for the simple version of the calculation if it's too hard to explain) <Q> The cost index is a numbe...	While somebody else might be able to explain it better, Cost Index is the relationship between fuel use and flight time.
How are Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo's windows so large? From Virgin Galactic on SpaceShipTwo: Windows in the passenger compartment will be 13 inches (33 centimeters) wide by 17 inches (43 centimeters) tall. IMO that's enormous for an airplane, especially for a spaceplane! But, wouldn't such large windows cause ...	Ultimately, the issue is whether the window is designed to withstand the pressure differential of cabin to space.
Why are you required to commit to a full stop landing if reverse thrust is selected? According to Airbus: ‐ After the flight crew selects reverse thrust, they must perform a full stop landing. Does it really make sense to have this limitation, and why? What happens if you realise there's not enough space to land, a...	Theoretically no, you could depart again, once the thrust reversers retract and properly stow, provided you have enough runway left to takeoff and obstacle clearance at the departure ends of the runway.
What are the most popular areas to do private pilot flight training in the United States? Are there any statistics on the most popular states to do private pilot flight training in the USA or a similar measure? I know Florida is very well visited, but I was wondering if there were other states which also have high ...	Based on this data, I would say that the areas surrounding the Orlando, Scottsdale, South Florida, Alabama & NW Florida, Nashville, and Atlanta FSDO's are the most popular training areas, with the Southern region being the most popular by far.
Do rudder pedals slide or hinge? I am planning on making a pair of rudder pedals from scratch. I don't know whether they should be hinged, or slide forwards and backwards. On real aircraft, how do they work? Does it vary from plane to plane? <Q> If you're looking for simplicity for a homebuilt aircraft or simulator I'...	I've never seen "sliding" rudder pedals in a light GA plane - though there may be such designs in transport aircraft, especially fly-by-wire planes.
How can one enter an airliner without stairs or a jet bridge? I see that big planes (B737, A319 etc.) always need a staircase or a boarding tunnel in order for crew or passengers to enter the cabin since the position of the entry door is quite high (meters above the ground). What solutions are there if none of these ...	Some large aircraft (like Air Force One) have been specially modified to include air stairs so that they don't have to rely on equipment on the ground:
Why are military and civil aircraft landing gear generally so different? Why do military aircraft have a lower landing gear than civilian? I have in mind the difference between a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and a Boeing or Airbus. The first possibility that jumps to mind is that one is more comfortable than the other, wh...	The biggest factor in landing gear length is going to be how the engine(s) is/are mounted and ensuring they have clearance. Not the least because the civil and military transport aircraft are actually the same models .
What defines a cycle on a jet engine? Is there a legal definition of a "cycle" on a jet engine? We must log the cycles, and some maintenance is determined by cycles. From my understanding, this is partially because of the thermal dynamics of an engine cooling and then reheating, and partially because full takeoff pow...	The cycle is one takeoff and landing , meaning engine start,climb,cruise,landing and shutdown.
What's the difference between a balked landing and a go-around? Is there a difference between a balked landing and a go-around? If there is, what exactly is a balked landing? <Q> GO AROUND- Instructions for a pilot to abandon his/her approach to landing. <S> Additional instructions may follow. <S> Unless otherwise ad...	A balked landing – also known as a go-around, is an aborted landing of an aircraft that is on final approach … for landing [ src ] The only term in the Pilot Controller Glossary is Go Around, so should technically be the only term used, at least when communicating with ATC:
How does having multiple ATC towers affect airport operations? I know there are airports with more than one ATC Tower, though I only know it from my own country (SCHIPHOL - EHAM). This airport has two towers called Tower-Center and Tower-West. Tower-West is built because of a sixth runway (18R - 36L), that wasn't clear...	At larger airports it is fairly common to have more than one tower, but it all comes down to how well the tower controllers can see airplanes.
Is rebooting the computer normal before/during flights? On a recent flight the captain made an announcement at the gate that they need to reboot the computer as somethings aren't working, and rebooting usually solves the problem. After posting this on twitter I got a replying saying that most planes have 3 computers...	Critical avionics systems have the ability to reset themselves if they detect problems - for example they will have hardware-based watchdog timers that will restart a processor or system that isn't showing signs of running it's software normally.
What is the dark spot visible below the cockpit on A-10s? On most A-10s I have seen, the area under the cockpit is darker than the rest of the plane. Is there a reason for this? <Q> It's a false cockpit, a type of camouflage patented in 1980 by Keith Ferris, a US artist and camouflage designer. <S> From some angles, ...	The intention is to create momentary uncertainty as to which direction an aircraft may turn, both for air-to-air encounters against other aircraft and when doing low-level manoeuvring in the ground-attack role. As per egid's answer, this technological form of automimicry ideally helps to degrade an enemy's capability t...
How does an A330 detect stall without airspeed? On Air France 447 the crew had experienced complete failure of the pitot static system, which meant they lost their readings on their airspeed indicators, but according to the Mayday / Air Crash Investigations episode the aircraft had detected that the plane was about...	Most large aircraft, including the A330, have angle of attack indicators that detect the high angle of attack which precedes a stall.
What do winglets do to increase aircraft performance? It seems like a lot of the newer airliners have winglets or wing fences. How do they improve aircraft performance? <Q> they reduce the wingtip vortex and the associated drag by deflecting the air that wants to escape over the tip back down ( source: wikipedia ) <...	Basically what happens with an airplane without a wingtip is the high pressure area comes over the lower pressure area and creates a giant vortex called a wing tip vortex and the winglet reduces the strength of the vortex reduces drag, increasing lift, and increasing the aircrafts range.
Is a propeller a wing? An aviation expert claimed to me that a propeller is a wing. While I understand that propellers use similar principles to generate force, it muddied the definition of a rotary wing aircraft vs a fixed wing aircraft. If the propeller of a fixed wing aircraft is considered a wing, what is the dis...	A propeller is an airfoil, but it is not a wing.
Is a wind speed of 150 km/h dangerous during a flight in an Airbus A321? I am just curious about this... during one flight on Airbus A321 we experienced turbulence and the pilot told us that the wind speed is 150 km/h, so we won't get drinks and snacks due to safety reasons. The question is: Was that wind speed 'normal...	High windspeeds themselves are not a problem, but the environment surrounding them may be.
Aviation ebook for beginners? I'm new to aviation but I am very passionate about it. I'm just 14 years old, so please help me in finding a good e-book about aviation for free. I don't know how to search with Google about it. <Q> Although this is a question based on opinion, it might perhaps have some value as a commun...	In terms of free download, I can definitely recommend the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook which can be found on the FAA web site.
Is it possible for a modern commercial airliner to stop being tracked without substantial mechanical failure? I was speaking to someone about the MH370 incident , and they suggested that a hijacker could turn off the device that sends the plane's current position, resulting in the appearance of a catastrophic midair f...	In airplanes like the 777, there are multiple ways that they communicate but all of them can be turned off (transponders, ACARS reports, CPDLC, ADS-B, radios, satellite phones, etc.).
How do commercial pilots send distress signals? If a commercial jet is in trouble, how does a pilot send a signal indicating distress? Does it take long? For instance, behind reception desks in many institutions and executive offices, there's a hidden red button that, when pressed, calls security or the police. (I kno...	There are three common ways to send a distress signal (roughly in order of preference): Over the radio, to whoever you are currently talking to. If you're on with a tower controller in visual conditions, rocking your wings or flashing your landing light can be used to acknowledge instructions.
Will the landing gear work mechanically in case of total power loss? In case of a total power failure in all the aircraft systems like engine failure and APU failure, would it be possible to use mechanical means (manually) to open the landing gear bay door and deploy the landing gear through mechanical means? I know i...	Other aircraft use a non-mechanical back-up, such aspneumatic power, to unlatch the gear.
What is airport tax used for? Since a very large sum of your ticket goes to airport tax, I was wondering how do they justify it and what is it used for? Take your tax paid on your ticket and multiply it with the number of seats on that airplane and you realise that, per flight, the airports are receiving a substantial...	Its the duty of the airline to collect taxes and reimburse it to the concerned authority (whether private or government but probably government).
What does the zig-zag pattern on Hawker Hunter's leading edge represent? On some Hawker Hunters , there is a zig-zag on the leading edge of the wing, as shown below. Why do only some Hawker Hunters have this feature, and what is it for? <Q> After doing a little more research I found the answer. <S> Quote from wiki...	It is usually used on a swept wing, but also on straight wings ("Drooped Leading Edge" arrangement), to generate a vortex flow field to prevent separated flow from progressing outboard at high angle of attack. The zig-zag on the leading edge is a type of leading edge extension called a dogtooth extension .
What happens if a parachute does not open while skydiving? While skydiving we have to jump from the airplane at a certain altitude above Earth. So if for some reason the parachute doesn't open, then will that person (or any object similar to a human body) fall to Earth or will it be incinerated/vanish in the sky due to...	The unfortunate victim will most probably die instantly.
Why is a large flashing "X" placed on a closed runway at Reagan National Airport? Runway 15 at DCA (Reagan National) is closed at night and other times. By "closed," I mean that airport management places a gigantic lit/flashing "X" in the landing zone of 15. I'd estimate the big "X" is 8 by 8 feet, at least. It's like ...	It is redundant with air traffic control measures (such as NOTAMs) indicating that the runway is out of service, in case some pilots didn't check NOTAMs or somehow managed to stumble into the airspace and happen upon the airport while it's closed.
Why do aircraft on Flight Radar 24 jump around randomly sometimes? I use Flight Radar 24 on my iPad to track friends/families flights when they are traveling (not paranoia, just curious). I've noticed that, quite often, their plane will jump from one location to another, or jump backwards down the flight path, or zoom...	When no proper verification algorithms are used in the software, it may occur that a receiver station initializes the track wrongly, usually causing a jump of 180 or 360 NM.
What data does ACARS send back to base? Can it be used to track a plane? An aircraft's Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System uses line of sight HF via ground stations or satellites to communicate with its base station. This system allows for three types of messages to be sent: Air Traffic Contro...	Yes, ACARS can be turned off.
Can the pitch be very different from the angle of attack? How much the pitch (horizontal orientation) can differ from the angle of attack? I am trying to understand the claim that "angle of attack indicator was unfortunately not available", contributing to problems during Air France Flight 447 . Attitude indicator m...	Angle of attack is important to the aerodynamics (amount of lift, drag, etc.), while pitch tells you the aircraft's orientation relative to the ground.
Where is the airspace not covered by primary Radar? Most ATC in the world rely primarily on secondary radar to know where planes are. This requires that the transponder on the plane works correctly. This means that maintenance and deployment of primary radar is no longer a primary concern for airspace regulation. It b...	A lot of airspace is not covered with primary radar, at least not for ATC purposes.
How do airlines pay for their planes? Taking easyJet as an example, they have a fleet of over 200 A319's and A320's. At a price tag of around \$90m per plane, that equates to about \$18bn. Given that their turnover for 2012/13 was around \$7bn, and their net profit was only \$660m, how exactly do they own so many ...	Especially older companies may have the cash reserves to pay for new aircraft out of pocket. Effectively like your lease car, you pay a fee per month or year over a contract period.
Where does my pee go when I flush at 35,000 ft? One thing I guess a lot of people wonder is: what happens you flush the toilet in an aeroplane? Does it fall out the belly of the plane and disintegrate? :) A kiwi woman complains that "aeroplanes are taking a s**t on her driveway", beneath the flight path. Is there a...	It is stored and then disposed of when plane touches down.
How can Ryanair offer flights for a penny? Of course, we all know that you're not exactly treated like a rockstar on Ryanair, and their CEO wants to charge us £1 to use the toilet ; but still, how can they offer flights for a penny?! Looking at flights with budget airlines, they usually end up costing more, with taxe...	One of the reasons Ryanair has some benefits on other airlines are the subsidies they get from airports.
Could an aircraft 'hide' in the aircraft shadow of another aircraft without being detected or noticed? I just finished reading an interesting post where the author suggests that the missing Malaysian Airlines flight 370 could have 'hidden' under the cover of Singapore Airlines flight 68 to fly to a covert airstrip....	Over the ocean it's easier not to be noticed since ATC radar stations are built on land.
Like transponders, can flight recorders be turned off? I never knew much about airplanes before the tragic incident of Malaysia 370. I have been spending a lot of time on Twitter reading various articles and investigations; in one of the articles I read , they stated that unlike transponders, "black boxes" cannot be t...	Generally, I'm pretty sure there's no switch for a Flight Data Recorder on the overhead panel in most aircraft, since I think it switches on automatically.
How does aileron reversal work? I want to know how aileron reversal takes place when control reversal velocity is higher than divergence speed and operating speed is in between them (for conventional wing) <Q> As I understand it, aileron reversal can occur in two regimes of flight, high speed and near stall. <S> Nea...	Control reversal (at high speed; there is also control reversal at stall, which is different) occurs because the force generated by ailerons twists the wing sufficiently so that the aileron starts to act more like a trim tab.
Can a commercial airliner sink to the bottom of the ocean? Is it possible that a commercial airliner could hit the ocean surface at such an angle that it made a deep dive intact, got filled with water, sank, and got stuck in mud at the floor of the ocean? <Q> Can a large modern jet airliner plunge intact underwater fro...	If the engines are not below the wings (turboprop, piston, jet at the rear fuselage), and the pilot flares to minimum speed right above the water, gear up , then most aircraft will stay intact. My answer is: It depends.
What are these hooks on the A320's wing used for? I was flying on an A320 (equipped with sharklets) the other day, and I found these hooks on the wing's surface: Note that the single hooked attachment is outside the wing's "DO NOT WALK OUTSIDE THIS AREA" line. What are these hooks used for? Why is the single hooked a...	In the event of a water evacuation, there is a line associated with each overwing exit that is extended, and clips to that yellow bracket, as a guide to get everyone out on the wing.
Could Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 have sunk without leaving any floating wreckage? With all the searching on the surface of the Indian Ocean for evidence of Flt. 370, I'm wondering if there's any conceivable scenario in which the Boeing 777 could have sunk without producing any floating wreckage. Is it possible for a...	After days, unless the aircraft crashed near a shore and pieces wash up, most likely there's nothing left to see unless very large pieces broke off and managed to stay afloat (which would require very calm surface conditions indeed).
Why do flight times differ between traveling East versus traveling West? Why does it take longer to fly West to East than East to West? Which factors affect this? Does Earth's spinning affect the time difference? Maybe the air circulation? <Q> As Robbie's answer implies, the answer is <S> wind - Trade Winds govern wh...	Trade winds generally travel East to West, and so aircraft travelling in this direction have a faster ground speed , that is the speed relative to the ground. Although the rotation of the earth and weather created by solar energy do affect the air circulation of the planet, and jet streams aloft, the main reason why we...
Why do pilots announce the cruising altitude of a flight? At some early stage in the flight, why will commercial pilots announce the cruising altitude of the flight? <Q> No real reason other than it keeps people from bugging the flight attendants by asking "how high are we??". <S> It also lets the flight attendants k...	It may give flight attendants an idea of how long it will take to reach cruise. That information is a matter of tradition as far as I can tell.

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.