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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

Most people recognize the sound of a helicopter when they hear it, thanks to the distinct “whoop-whoop” noise of the blades. When a helicopter flies low enough, it may even produce harmful levels of noise. The blades are partially responsible for the noise, but there is much to consider. TLDR – Helicopters are so loud

Imagine flying in a world where every country had different rules. Pilots of international flights would have to mark each border they crossed by speaking to controllers in a different language or by being licensed by every government they come in contact with. In short, international aviation would be a lot harder than it is

During the Vietnam War, it was not uncommon to see photos of soldiers with their feet dangling from a Huey. War movies also promote this image, with soldiers ready to jump from the helicopter as soon as it lands. So, how do those soldiers keep from falling out? TLDR – Soldiers do not fall from

Commercial airlines are equipped with autopilot systems, allowing for safe flight without continuous manual control from the pilots. The first autopilots were developed in 1912 and used commercially as early as the 1920s. This leads many people to wonder whether helicopters have autopilot. TLDR – Some modern helicopters are equipped with autopilot systems that allow

Buying a helicopter is a major purchase, with an average price of close to $1.8 million. Owning a helicopter also comes with extra costs, such as insurance, storage, maintenance, and fuel. Helicopters also tend to cost more compared to light fixed-wing aircraft. So, why are helicopters so expensive? TLDR – The cost of a helicopter