Most Popular
1500 questions
51
votes
6 answers
How are runways numbered?
I'm not a professional pilot, just an enthusiast, so this might seem obvious to others; but I noticed that airports don't use sequential numbering for runways, starting from 1.
Liverpool (for example) has runway 9/27; so how are these numbers…
Danny Beckett
- 16,627
- 28
- 98
- 176
51
votes
3 answers
What is the technique or procedure to disable/disengage the MCAS on Boeing 737 Max 8 & 9 Aircraft?
What is the technique or procedure to disable the MCAS and manually fly the Boeing 737 MAX 8/9 Aircraft?
To clarify my question, what I'm asking is can the pilot disengage the MCAS and if so, how do they do that? Is it just flipping a switch or…
Devil07
- 8,544
- 1
- 36
- 80
51
votes
2 answers
Why are cockpit instruments white on black dials?
Which is easier to read: white on a black dial or black on a white dial? It would seem most aviation instruments are white on black.
L Reid
- 519
- 1
- 4
- 3
51
votes
1 answer
Does anybody recognize these wings?
I was on a tour at the University of Maryland, and I saw these wings sitting against the wall:
I asked the guide, and he had no idea. (In case you can't tell these are two wings. The green lines indicate the extent of the two wings.)
What aircraft…
ptgflyer
- 2,156
- 2
- 20
- 24
51
votes
3 answers
Can the A380 ferry an extra engine, like the 747?
A useful little quirk about the 747 is that it can ferry a fifth engine on the wing, for when another aircraft is stranded somewhere in the world.
Does the A380 have the same capability? If not, how would an airline manage an aircraft needing a…
Ben
- 14,065
- 3
- 47
- 73
51
votes
6 answers
How dangerous was the turbulence on this commercial flight?
EDIT: Having read these great answers I feel a little ashamed for the fear I felt on this recent flight. However, judging by my reaction to the experience and the reaction of those around me on the flight I imagine I am not the only one who felt…
syntonicC
- 613
- 1
- 5
- 8
51
votes
2 answers
Aircraft Emergency Evacuation slide inflation system: Why is a mixture of CO2 & N2 used instead of pure N2?
I was intrigued knowing from this SE-Aviation post that modern, aircraft Emergency Evacuation-Slide inflation-cylinders are often filled with a CO2+N2 mixture.
See here:
Which gas is used to fill the evacuation slides of modern…
curious_cat
- 8,436
- 7
- 45
- 94
51
votes
8 answers
How complete is our understanding of lift?
I'm currently studying for my PPL and one of the accepted textbooks contains the following disclaimer at the end of the Principles of Flight section on lift:
It is important to note that the forgoing explanation of lift, and its reliance on…
Dan
- 9,308
- 2
- 33
- 53
51
votes
5 answers
What are the main differences piloting Boeing vs. Airbus aircraft?
What are the main differences in flying a Boeing vs an Airbus aircraft?
Ignoring cosmetics, e.g. nose/window shape (see How can I tell apart an Airbus from a Boeing?)
Danny Beckett
- 16,627
- 28
- 98
- 176
51
votes
3 answers
Why did most airliners have black noses in the 60's and 70's?
Here are a couple of examples:
yippy_yay
- 7,365
- 14
- 52
- 67
50
votes
2 answers
Why do airliners hug the coast on flights?
In reviewing the route a commercial aircraft is taking from Boston to Miami, I see the following:
As you can see, it does not follow the great circle path and in fact deviates significantly from it, being about 10% longer. The aircraft is happy…
Tyler Durden
- 13,282
- 4
- 43
- 67
50
votes
2 answers
Should the helicopter be washed after any sea mission?
I was seeing this image:
The caption of this image says (source):
Here a Belgian NH90 NFH returning after a flight over sea. The
helicopter is washed by the fire brigade to remove the salt water...
Should any helicopter be washed after any sea…
Roh
- 3,317
- 2
- 20
- 45
50
votes
3 answers
The F-16s that were scrambled to intercept United 93 did not have time to arm the jets, so the pilots were going to “ram it” how does that work?
The Wikipedia page says
Two F-16 fighter pilots from the 121st Fighter Squadron of the D.C. Air National Guard, Marc Sasseville and Heather "Lucky" Penney, were scrambled and ordered to intercept Flight 93. The pilots intended to ram it since they…
George Clooney In a Mooney
- 4,401
- 6
- 27
- 54
50
votes
5 answers
What is the motivation behind designing a control stick that does not move?
According to Wikipedia (and various other online sources), the control stick on the F-16 does not move. The input values are determined by the amount of force acting on the stick, rather than the deflection angle/distance away from its neutral…
kevin
- 39,731
- 17
- 148
- 278
50
votes
13 answers
Is there any combination of two airports that are connected via taxiways?
Are there any 2 (or more) airports that are ground-connected so that e.g. aircraft can taxi between them? Would that be even possible from a definition point of view, having a common area with two airports?
I thought of airport being a facility with…
Florian
- 3,839
- 2
- 19
- 43