Aviation Blog - Page 88

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

When a plane crashes, investigators retrieve the “black box” to determine the cause. To withstand the impact of the crash, fire, and water, the box needs to be virtually indestructible. So, what is a black box made of that allows it to survive the most severe plane crashes? TLDR – Black boxes are made of

Cessna aircraft are so ubiquitous that many people refer to all small piston-powered airplanes as “Cessna’s.” Their distinctive high-wing designs make them recognizable, even from a great distance. When it comes to training aircraft, the Cessna 152 and 172 are among, if not the, most popular planes for flight training in the world. Over the

Ever wondered if you could buy your own fighter jet? Fancy being the Top Gun of the household? Well, wonder no more as we look at the practicalities of buying your own fighter jet and whether it’s even possible. The answer may surprise you… So can any civilian buy a fighter plane? The answer is

Taking a drone on a vacation is a great way to capture unique experiences, allowing travelers to take aerial footage as they hike, surf, or sightsee. Before packing a drone with the rest of the luggage, find out whether your drone is allowed on the plane or not. TLDR – There are no TSA regulations

At the height of the Cold War, the strategic reconnaissance aircraft was a convenient piece of equipment. In the days before spy satellites and drones, one of the only ways to know what your enemy was doing was to fly over and have a look. But doing so was extremely dangerous. Several branches of the

Flying on a plane is not inexpensive, which leads many travelers to shop around for the best deal on flight tickets. Instead of booking early, some travelers wait until closer to the departure date in the hopes of getting a lower price closer to the departure date. Unfortunately, booking late may cost more. TLDR –

When a flight is completely booked ahead of the departure date, travelers may hope for additional flights to get added. Instead of anticipating the airline to add extra flights closer to departure date, travelers may want to consider booking a flight on an alternative date or with another airline. TLDR – Airlines may add flights