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1500 questions
36
votes
7 answers
Why is the total count of people on a plane given as the number of 'souls' on board?
Why don't they just say 'people' on board, why souls? What is the origin of this term? I'm thinking it comes from sailing as I think I've heard that term in reference to crews out at sea, but I'm not a sailor so I don't know.
MDMoore313
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36
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1 answer
On modern commercial airliners, how much of the flight could be fully taken care of by the auto pilot?
If one wanted to, how large part of the flight could a modern commercial airliner do completely on its own? That is, if the pilot only was allowed to set things up and then leave the cockpit, from where (taxiing, take off, et cetera) and for how…
Speldosa
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36
votes
4 answers
Why are some windows in cockpits made openable?
Why do aircraft allow sliding / opening windows in cockpits? What purpose does it serve, and why the same can't be done for passenger windows as well?
Firee
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36
votes
4 answers
Why do police helicopters always fly in circles?
Why do police helicopters always fly in circles while news helicopter hover in one spot? Is it to avoid criminals opening fire at them, or is it because there is a difference between the two types of helicopters?
flying
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36
votes
4 answers
Would failure to put on an oxygen mask during loss of cabin pressure result in death?
I was trying to explain to someone why the cabin is pressurized (no one wants hypoxia) and that led to discussion about the emergency oxygen masks available on airliners.
If a person didn't put on their oxygen mask, would they be able to survive the…
Jeff B
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36
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2 answers
What are these boxes built into the tails of some fighters?
In looking at European-designed fighters of the 4th and 4.5th generation, I keep seeing a common design feature; a box-like structure built into the tail, often in the top half or third. Some examples:
Saab Gripen
Mirage 2000 (this one's more…
KeithS
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36
votes
4 answers
Why was Concorde's cockpit so complex?
Source
Why was this cockpit much more complex than any other modern day aircraft or a fighter jet? It looks to have many more buttons and controls, and very small (interesting) screens. Also, its steering was much different than you would see in…
anshabhi
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36
votes
7 answers
Is it possible for an airliner to safely fly with doors open?
From another question asks about the possibility of dropping bombs from converted airliners. My question: is it possible to safely fly aircraft with a door open for the whole flight envelope? Would the aerodynamics be affected if we did not close…
vasin1987
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36
votes
15 answers
Flying in a helicopter with open doors: why don't people fall out?
This has been puzzling for quite a long time.
Every action movie or military documentary features helicopters with no door or with open doors and yet people inside look like they couldn't care less. Apparently they're not falling out...
Why is it…
Cedric H.
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36
votes
2 answers
What is a passenger disturbance level?
I was listening to RealATC for a United Flight UAL1074 which declared an emergency needing to return to Washington Reagan National Airport. During the ATC recording, the flight declares an emergency due to a passenger disruption.
ATC asks for…
CGCampbell
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36
votes
1 answer
How does WiFi work on an aircraft?
I've noticed that when a WiFi system is set up on an aircraft, a small bulbous structure is added. What does it contain and how does this WiFi system work?
Madhav Sudarshan
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36
votes
1 answer
How are duplicate call signs dealt with?
Many airlines (at least here in the U.S.) have flight numbers that use different aircraft for different legs of the flight. For example, Delta 158 uses a 747-400 from Incheon International in Seoul to Detroit, then an A320 from Detroit to Boston a…
reirab
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36
votes
5 answers
Are all the engines on a multi-engine plane the same?
In general, are there any differences between the engines on a multi-engine aircraft? Are engines designed to be specifically for the left or right wing, or inboard or outboard for a 4-engine aircraft?
What about the tail engine on a tri-jet like…
Graham Borland
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36
votes
2 answers
How robust are modern parachutes to folding errors, wear, or other problems?
My 8 year old recently got a guided tour of the parachute-packing station at the local sport airport. Afterwards she asked me what happens if the parachute is improperly packed. Since it seemed to me that each parachute is packed by one person,…
dotancohen
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36
votes
2 answers
Jet engines: are they owned by the airline or just rented?
For commercial jets, the engines are complex parts of the aircraft, are the most expensive components, and must be carefully maintained.
Source
When a company buys an aircraft, do they also own the engines, or are they still the property of the…
mins
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