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1500 questions
37
votes
5 answers
Why evacuate wing at the front side after water landing?
When looking at the following Transavia B737 safety cards, I noticed that after a water landing, passengers who evacuate via the overwing exits should leave the wing at the front, while during evacuations on land they should leave via the rear side…
Jordy
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37
votes
5 answers
How does a fan differ from a propeller?
Why is the fan in a turbofan different than a propeller in a small airplane? Why do propellers typically have 2 or 3 blades, but the fan has a lot more? And why is the fan shrouded but the propeller open?
I read that a ducted fan is more efficient…
Southbob
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37
votes
2 answers
What is the difference between mist and fog?
Fog is a form of a cloud and it is said clouds are visible moisture. We all know that mist (baby rain) is also moisture so I am curious when will a METAR say BR (mist) or FG (fog)?
wbeard52
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37
votes
2 answers
Why do aircraft need a vertical tailfin, but birds don't? (and lots of fish do?)
I don't know of any bird that has a vertical tailfin, but apparently aircraft need them for lateral stability. Why is this?
I did realize, however, that most fish have a vertical tailfin, or a vertical dorsal fin, or both. What exactly is going on…
DrZ214
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37
votes
3 answers
How can a large passenger aircraft's owner remain unknown?
I'm reading through TheStar's "Malaysia Airports seeks owner of three Boeing 747s abandoned at KLIA" article and I can't stop wondering, why I don't understand it or how should I understand it?
How it is possible in 21th century, that knowing large…
trejder
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37
votes
5 answers
Why did the Junkers Ju-52 have corrugated external surfaces?
Every time I pass by Munich I have to pay a visit to the Deutsches museum, in particular to the aviation wing.
Among the other aircraft on display, there is a Junkers Ju-52. A different photo taken from a different website illustrates well what…
Federico
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37
votes
11 answers
Could you land a large airplane on short circular runways?
Considering that building runways is expensive and that they take up a lot of space, could you land a large commercial airliner on a circular runway, braking as you go around the curves?
yippy_yay
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37
votes
3 answers
Why don't airliners use in-air refueling systems?
Right now if an airliner wants to fly a really long distance (eg., a Boeing 787 flying from Seattle to Tokyo), it has to load itself down with lots and lots of fuel, which in turn weighs thousands and thousands of pounds. This, of course, makes the…
Jae Carr
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37
votes
6 answers
Do pilots need to know how to use a sextant?
Can a sextant be used while flying? How accurate/reliable is a sextant, both standing still and at 500+ mph? Are sextants found in any cockpits today?
NormLDude
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37
votes
2 answers
Why should jet engine throttles be moved smoothly?
On the only jet engined aircraft I'm trained on, the Bell 206B (Allison 250 engine), I was taught to move the throttle slowly and smoothly, especially when opening. I've also see this done with Rolls Royce testing RB211s and early Trents.
I've…
Simon
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37
votes
5 answers
What prevents a passenger from opening the emergency door on his own will, mid-flight?
I have never sat on the emergency seats near the wings, with the emergency exit. I have seen cabin crew instruct the passengers seated near the door on how to operate the door.
My question, what prevents a 'rogue' passenger from opening them…
Firee
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37
votes
6 answers
Why do propeller blades not have winglets?
On the first look this question might sound ridiculous and maybe it is.
But as propeller blades act by the same physical laws as wings, and winglets reduce the induced drag by quite a bit, then why are they not put on propeller blades?
I could…
Maverick283
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37
votes
4 answers
What process do I follow to land a civilian aircraft on a military base?
Let's say I have business on a US military base (e.g. JBLM), and I'd like to fly a privately owned aircraft there. What is the process I follow before the flight to get approval to land, and once I'm enroute to ensure everything goes smoothly?
kevin42
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36
votes
6 answers
If a balloon lies within gun range, why would a 21st century warplane shoot it with a missile, instead of rotary guns?
I am not necessarily referring to current events, but you can if you want. Presuppose a balloon is within altitude, and range, of the guns of a warplane made in the 2000's.
Particularly if a military wants to salvage and deconstruct a balloon, then…
User
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36
votes
1 answer
Pilot NOT confirming checklist in Sully (2016). A script error?
In Sully (2016) there's a short moment when pilot flying (captain) confirms something exactly opposite to the checklist item just read by pilot not flying (first officer):
FO: Emergency electrical power, emergency generator not online.
CP:…
trejder
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