Aviation Blog - Page 94

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?

Landing an airplane is a complex task that is made up of many smaller flight maneuvers. Pilots have terms for each phase of the landing approach, from the legs of the airport traffic pattern to the last runway rollout. What is the Landing Flare? The landing flare, which is sometimes called the roundout, is when

Flying involves moving the aircraft in three dimensions, which makes turning it significantly more involved than turning a car. To turn a plane, the pilot uses all three primary flight controls to move the airplane around its three axes. How Do Airplanes Turn? To turn a plane, the pilot uses all three primary flight controls