Insights, updates, and aviation stories.
A military ball can seem like a mysterious event, especially for those who have never attended one. After receiving an invitation to a military ball, you may not know what to wear or what to expect. So, what is a military ball? A military ball is a formal event held by various branches of the […]
A flashbang, or stun grenade, produces a blinding flash of light and an intensely loud sound to disorient people. Flashbangs are also frequently used by law enforcement to disperse crowds. As flashbangs are considered non-lethal, you may assume that civilians can own flashbangs. True flashbangs designed for the military and law enforcement are subject to […]
Most aviation buffs know that if an airplane flies too slowly, it will stall. If there isn’t enough air flowing over the wings, the airplane cannot fly. A ‘high speed stall’ sounds contradictory. However, it’s very real… Contrary to popular belief, an airplane can stall at nearly any airspeed—including very fast ones. When the plane stalls […]
The Second World War was undoubtedly the most significant military event of the last century. It was fought on all fronts, but the most prominent role was played by fighter airplanes. The era saw fast-paced innovation in aviation technology and gave birth to some of the best aircraft and aerial combat feats that are remembered […]
Owning a personal airplane is something most of us can only dream of. Unless you’re a celebrity or superstar athlete with a few million in the bank, the cost of even the most basic small plane is way out of your reach. But what if you could get that same sense of freedom and excitement […]
A few terms that might be unfamiliar to US pilots, CAVOK and CAVU, pop up in some international weather reports from time to time. So what do they mean? Both CAVOK and CAVU are abbreviations used in some local weather reports. They mean “Ceiling and Visibility OK” or “Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited.” Neither term is […]
Learning basic aerodynamics starts by studying the various forces acting on a plane. The four forces of flight are lift, thrust, drag, and weight. Each one of these items is complicated in its own right. Let’s take it one step further and explain the aerodynamic center and the center of pressure. Pilots think of lift […]
Soldiers receive dog tags to provide identification if they are wounded or killed in action. However, they have also become considered a fashion statement. So, can civilians wear dog tags without disrespecting the military? Civilians can legally wear dog tags. Yet, attempting to use the dog tags for personal gain may be considered an act […]
News articles reporting on volatile regions often discuss the risk of a military junta. It is a common enough term, but not everyone is familiar with the meaning of a military junta. So, what is a military junta, and how does it work? A military junta is a committee of military leaders. Military juntas are […]
The most famous aircraft developed during World War II were undoubted those fast and sleek fighters, or perhaps those brawny bombers. But the war years were a time of incredible technological advancement by all countries involved, and aviation itself grew more than many people today realize. For example, did you know that helicopters were developed during […]