Airplanes

It’s no secret that aircraft are loud. Over the last few decades, we’ve seen governments attempt to limit how loud aircraft can be at airports, especially those close to highly built-up areas. Whilst most modern commercial jet aircraft easily comply with these regulations, many older jets do not, and as such, risk being banned from

Today, fighter jets are the backbone of the world’s air forces. However, they can be separated into one of five different categories, known as “generations” based on their age, tactical configuration and the technology found onboard. Indeed, the notion of a “generation” fighter isn’t even that old: it was coined in the 1990s and is

If you’ve ever seen a fighter jet from behind during takeoff, you’ve probably noticed that the engines have a certain glow. This glow is caused by something called an afterburner, but what exactly is it? An afterburner, also called a reheat in some countries, is an additional component added to some jet engines to increase

With four engine aircraft (sometimes called “quadjets”) becoming increasingly rare, six engine aircraft are something of a novelty. Indeed, there have been comparatively fewer six engine aircraft than two, three and four engine aircraft. Six engine aircraft began to emerge nearing the end of the 1930s. Initially, they were designed to help bridge the gap

Every pilot knows that airplanes are expensive. So much so that many are unaffordable for the average pilot, necessitating the creation of flying clubs for members to jointly own the aircraft they fly. But even then, they’re not exactly cheap. If you’re willing to buy something a little older and a little slower, however, you may

Two of the “Big Three” general aviation manufacturers, Cessna and Piper are pilot favorites the world over. But which manufacturer produces the better aircraft? Let’s compare Cessna and Piper. For as long as both companies have been around, their aircraft have directly competed with one another (even after Cessna branched out into private jets with

The roar of a quad jet plane thundering down the runway is a sound unlike anything else in aviation. Some of the most recognizable aircraft of all time featured four engines, and four-engine aircraft are some of the fastest and largest ever produced. From the enormous Airbus A380 to the ageless Boeing 747, the supersonic

Prior to the invention of jets, turboprops were the go-to powerplant when piston engines could not provide the power or range it needed. Since the invention of jets, however, turboprops have become less common though they are still used, but why? Turboprops are still used chiefly due to their increased versatility relative to their jet

There is no doubt that one cannot go wrong with a twin-piston aircraft, but what makes them more efficient and better than a single-piston aircraft? Well, not only do they provide a quicker pickup and are faster, but they also provide some comfort when it comes to safety. What truly makes a twin-piston aircraft all

Despite providing all the thrust needed to get – and keep – a jet in the air, jet engines are surprisingly larger than they look in photos. So big that some jet engines are bigger than the average person. So could you get sucked into a jet engine? Yes, a human can absolutely get sucked