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Airports can be complicated places. They’re generally flat, with no easy to identify visual landmarks. There’s no standard layout or design–no usual way things are organized. Pilots visiting unfamiliar airports are at a considerable disadvantage, especially if the visibility is low or the weather is bad. To help them navigate safely, airport markings and signs

For passengers, one of the greatest mysteries is how airplanes know how high they are. After all, the third-dimension of flying is what sets it apart from all other modes of transportation. How do airplanes measure altitude and who else cares how far they are from the ground? How Do Pilots Know Their Altitude? The

Fighter jets often have fuel stored behind the pilot’s seat, but big airliners like the B747 store massive amounts of fuel in their wings. So what is the benefit of having fuel stored in the wings of an aircraft? And does it pose any risks to safety? Why is Fuel Stored in the Wings? There

Airplanes are built for missions, even if they fly in the civilian world. Nowhere is mission-based design more evident than in the world of private jets, where there is a jet for every customer. Some are super fast, some are ultra-long range, and some are as luxurious as a palace. Private jets fall into eight

Ultralight aircraft are tiny one-seaters that are not subject to the same certification requirements that other aircraft are. Pilots do not even need a pilot license–these planes are built for individuals to use for fun. They’re almost like motorcycles but in the sky! Ultralight aircraft aren’t allowed to fly in controlled airspace without permission, nor

Airplanes can become famous for a number of reasons, including their design, their purpose, or their popularity, and it isn’t always easy to narrow the list of famous planes down to a manageable size because each plane is so unique. If you love airplanes and want to learn more about the planes considered famous for

Have you ever wondered how a machine that was meant to fly is able to get you from point A to point B on an airport’s surface? Whether you’re flying on a Boeing 737 or a Cessna 172, turning on the ground will be included at some point on your next flight. How Do Planes

Wind plays an important role in flying. But what exactly is the relationship between wind and wings? Is it a happy marriage or are take-offs into wind dangerous? Do Planes Take Off Into The Wind? Aircraft don’t have to take off into wind, but it does help! Taking off into wind gives aircraft an extra

Aircraft, just like cars or boats, need maintenance and may even break down occasionally. When they do, they need to be moved back to their base for maintenance. Since these flights are generally different from what the plane does typically, pilots and crews have different ways to refer to them. What is a Ferry Flight?

During WW2, development of military machines, not in the least bombers, was expedited greatly. The United States benefited from a strong economy and a large workforce protected far away from the battlefield. The Americans had some mighty bombers to offer the Allied forces, and the American participation was a turning point in the course of