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The Blue Angels are one of the oldest aerobatic flight teams in the world, performing flight demonstrations for fans throughout most of the year. While most people recognize the distinct navy blue and yellow Hornets flown by the Blue Angels, they may not know much else about these experienced pilots. So, why do thousands of […]

Have you ever wondered how high a plane can fly? Many people confuse an airplane’s “cruising altitude,” which is simply the altitude at which the pilot has chosen to fly today, with the “ceiling”–the limit of its abilities. Most planes do not operate at their ceilings very often for safety reasons. An aircraft’s service ceiling […]

Soldiers receive military awards to recognize their achievements. They may receive medals, badges, or service ribbons. There is a long list of military awards and decorations, but most of them are only given to members of the armed forces.  TLDR – Civilians may receive public service awards from the Army or Air Force. Most departments […]

War crimes are horrendous acts that violate the laws of war. Acts such as torture, enslavement, murder, sexual violence, and imprisonment may be considered war crimes under international law. They are often committed during a military conflict, which leads people to associate war crimes with soldiers. So, can civilians commit war crimes? TLDR – Civilians […]

When the American flag or a soldier passes by, civilians may be tempted to give a salute. Many people assume that a salute is considered a gesture of respect. However, there is specific etiquette when it comes to rendering a salute, whether you are a veteran, active service member, or civilian.  TLDR – Civilians should […]

Many hikers have had their treks through National Parks interrupted by the sounds of helicopters flying overhead. These helicopters are typically flown by the aviation branch of the National Park Service. So, what are these helicopters doing and where are they going? TLDR – Helicopters are primarily used in National Parks for resource and wildlife […]

People have flown on planes that are decades old, and they would never know the difference. Sometimes, old school is the best school, and after having a look at this collection of the oldest commercial passenger planes still in service, it’s hard to disagree. Older model airplanes were designed at a time when oil was […]

Many farms around the world depend on agricultural airplanes to help them yield a profitable harvest. But with a minimum of 60 accidents recorded a year, is it safe to fly a crop duster and what are the most common causes of accidents? Is Crop Dusting Dangerous? Yes. Despite technological advances and the aviation industry […]

Everyone knows that airplanes have devices called “black boxes.” A black box captures flight data and sound. In the event of a crash, investigators can use data from the device to determine the cause. So, do helicopters have black boxes too? TLDR – Helicopters rarely have black boxes. The FAA does not require flight recorders […]

The amounts of money being spent on military developments particularly by the United States are incredible. One fighter plane can cost somewhere in the hundreds of millions of dollars. And militaries around the world operate thousands of them. These are the 11 priciest fighters… In an air battle, having a better fighter plane gives a […]