Airplanes

Believe it or not, but planes get hit by lightning at a rate that is more frequent than you might expect. With between 8,000 and 20,000 planes in the air at any given moment, what are the odds of your plane being hit by lightning? More importantly, does it pose a threat to the safety

From Sopwith Camels to Spitfires to today’s supersonic jets, from dogfights over Flanders to the Battle of Britain and beyond, the Royal Air Force (RAF) has time and again come flying to the rescue in Britain’s time of need. One of the oldest and most storied air forces in the world, the history of the

Military power projects national prestige. The past few decades have seen China become a global superpower, and so it should come as no surprise that the Chinese military is, by manpower, the largest in the world. China’s military spending is about a third of that of the USA. Today we list some of the best Chinese

For more than 110 years, the French Air Force has been a military mainstay in Europe. From WWI Biplanes and WWII Fighters to the first jet fighters and today’s models, France has long been at the center of aviation innovation. These are 12 of the best French fighter jets of the current age. If there

Have you ever wondered what helps an airplane stay together while traveling at high speeds? There is a world of technology that goes into making today’s fastest jets, and it just keeps getting better. Let’s take a closer look at some factors of why airplanes are riveted instead of welded. Why are airplanes riveted instead

Most people are aware that airplanes dump fuel before they land, but many people are unaware of why they do this. Airplane fuel can cost $5 to $6 per gallon, and when you consider that many large planes carry up to 5,000 gallons of fuel, it may sound wasteful to dump it, but that isn’t

There has been a terrible accident, the pilot and copilot are dead, and the call goes out to the passenger cabin – “Can anyone land this plane?” Wouldn’t it be nice to be the action movie-esque figure who is able to stand up, save the day, and land the plane with the utmost cool? Can

Are birds a hazard to the planes that fly at staggering heights, carrying impressive loads and traveling at amazing speeds? Do birds ever try to avoid running into airplanes? Can planes take evasive maneuvers to avoid birds? Are bird strikes common? How do airplanes actually avoid birds? Let’s answer some of these questions today… How

For 99% of human existence, it would have been the biggest thrill imaginable. Today, it’s complete routine. We’ve reached the point where planes taking off is such a common part of our lives that we take it for granted – but have you ever stopped to think how planes take off? How Airplanes Take Off

We learn a lot about how airplanes are washed when we study the techniques involved in washing these incredible machines. Washing an aircraft is a necessary procedure. Washing helps to maintain an airplane’s safety and enhances its appearance. For many sport plane owners, washing an airplane is part of the experience of owning an airplane.