142 posts
While boarding an aircraft, you must have seen two pilots inside the cockpit, busy at work preparing the flight for departure. But why is it called a cockpit? Why not a flight deck? What’s the difference between the two? Why Is A Cockpit Called A Cockpit? It is not exactly clear where the term originated, […]
The 1930s was an important decade in aviation history. The rudimentary designs of the first few decades of airplanes gave way to more advanced designs that could fly further, carry more people, and were safer. What are the planes that best demonstrate these advances in technology? Read on to find out! The 1930s saw a […]
The ideal choice for short and medium-haul flights, turboprops are single-pilot operated engines suitable for small airports with short, non-concrete runways. Turboprops are cost-effective — when flown at optimum altitude and speed, they burn less fuel than most jets. While a new turboprop aircraft can cost anywhere between $2.2 million to $8.8 million, you can […]
Modern airports are massive places with a confusing maze of taxiways. Some airports are really congested and pilots have to be extra careful while taxiing around. Thankfully, pilots have several aids to help them navigate ranging from taxiway lighting and signs to high-tech solutions such as moving map displays. If an aircraft is moving by […]
When most people think of flying in style, what they fantasize about is beyond airport check-in hassles. Instead, they consider privacy, comfort, flexibility, and luxury. And when it comes to fast, luxurious trips, private jets are not the only options. These expensive turboprop planes are plenty luxurious… Contrary to popular belief, turboprops offer as much […]
Fighter jets have become notorious for air-to-air combat and serve the role of dominating the skies in times of war. To the average person, every fighter plane looks the same. Aviation and military enthusiasts know that there are many different types of fighter jets. Some types have been phased out, but there is still plenty […]
Planes are complicated machines, and every part of them is designed purposefully. Even things that may seem purely aesthetic, like the angle the wings meet the fuselage, have deep impacts on how the plane flies and what the pilot can expect from it. The dihedral angle is a design feature found on many aircraft that […]
Besides worrying about how airplanes survive if they run out of fuel, which they don’t, you could also be wondering how passengers survive in planes with closed windows throughout a flight. Where do aircraft get air from? Airplanes bring in fresh air from outside the plane and recycle used air to ensure sufficient oxygen and […]
The technology found in the cockpits of small planes comes to us thanks to the trickle-down effect. Flashy new toys start in military cockpits, then transport category aircraft, and finally general aviation. By the time it hits GA flight decks, things have gotten miniaturized and much cheaper. Take, for example, the yaw damper. A yaw […]
Every once in a while, an aircraft catches your eye. Some planes just look different—like they popped in from the future, even. Designers are constantly finding new ways to make airplanes fly better—more efficient or more maneuverable. The canard is one design tool that engineers have played with over the years. A canard is a […]