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1500 questions
49
votes
3 answers
Why is Python used on aircraft although it may not be certifiable?
I recently had a discussion with people who were active in the aviation industry and told me that one of the main languages/tools they use is Python.
On the other hand I have always known that people avoid C++ or eg Linux due to certification…
LandonZeKepitelOfGreytBritn
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49
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2 answers
How can the landing gear fit in the small room in the engine bay on the Tupolev Tu-144?
I recently went to the museum in Sinsheim, Germany, where a Tupolev Tu-144 is on display. I noticed that the landing gear of this plane is actually way wider than the space it has available when retracted. How can this work? Does the gear fold…
Spypsyduck
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49
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3 answers
Why is the Tu-95 so efficient despite having propellers that spin faster than the speed of sound?
I've ready many, many times that propellers are not efficient near the speed of sound because it's so hard to get a tip-speed above Mach 1.
Then I came across this:
It's the Tu-95 "Bear", a propeller-driven bomber whose blade tips actually move…
DrZ214
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49
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2 answers
How do pilots manage to remember ATC instructions?
Before takeoff, during flight, before landing and for taxiing, pilots are given several instructions by ATC.
Do they mentally remember all instructions? Or do they note them down somewhere such as in a notebook so that they do not forget?
GalibShahab98
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49
votes
2 answers
What are these wavy lines on fighters' canopy?
As shown in the images below, what are these wavy lines on the canopy of the aircraft? Do these lines have any utility?
These are mostly captured in videos of cockpit views of carrier-based aircraft.
Raj
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48
votes
4 answers
What is a running rabbit?
My father used to work as an air traffic controller, and often I heard mention of a 'running rabbit'.
Obviously, vermin on the runways of airports can be a bad thing, but I don't think he was literally talking about animals.
David Wilkins
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48
votes
3 answers
Why did the Ju-87 Stuka have a siren?
Why did the Ju-87 Stuka have a siren? Was this for purely psychological reasons or did it help the pilot in some way?
flyingfisch
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48
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3 answers
Are cargo holds pressurised these days?
This question is only regarding aircraft that seat more than about 100 people.
Are cargo holds pressurised these days, what is the situation?
Are only some pressurized, most, of every single one? Does it depend on the carrier, operating region or…
Fatster
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48
votes
3 answers
Is it possible to use thrust reversers to taxi backwards?
Can commercial airliners theoretically taxi backwards using reverse thrust?
If this is possible, why isn't it common?
I can already imagine some safety reasons...
André Stannek
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48
votes
5 answers
Who has the higher authority, the pilot in command or ATC?
I'm sure many people have heard about the communication between a Delta flight 2244 and Atlanta tower being on news today.
When the Controller informs the Pilot he is on a wrong taxi-way, things get a little heated up.
Regardless of who was right…
Hanky Panky
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48
votes
3 answers
Why aren't flights continued after losing a tire on rotation?
I have read about a lot of incidents where airplanes lose one of the tires on rotation, yet they cancel the flights and go back for an emergency landing at the departure airport, risking overweight landing or burn fuel for 2 hours until they are…
Adham81
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48
votes
3 answers
What is this flange on the engine?
Flying home from the Denver ComiCon, on a 737, I saw an angled flange on the engine. Could you describe its purpose?
Photos by CGCampbell licensed CC0
CGCampbell
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48
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7 answers
Can ATC handle a flight as emergency although the pilots have not declared an emergency?
The preliminary report for the LNI610 crash shows how much distractive conversation there was between ATC and LIN610 at a time when the pilots clearly didn't have the aircraft under control – as evidenced by the FDR data – and should have talked to…
summerrain
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48
votes
4 answers
Could the Wright brothers fly across the US today?
If the Wright brothers were still alive (and in very good health for their age), could they fly one of their aircraft across the United States today?
Specifically, I'm looking at the Wright Model B, a commercially-produced biplane with a maximum…
Joe
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48
votes
1 answer
What does this plus (cross) sign on this electrical panel mean?
I'm looking at a picture of the electrical panel of a Phenom 100 and on it I see a + sign, does anyone have any ideas as to what it's supposed to mean?
Bobby Tables
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