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1500 questions
35
votes
6 answers
Why do we say certain things three times (e.g., "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday"), rather than two or four?
Repetition is a key characteristic of communication in the control tower, cockpit, and control room. Some phrases, like "Mayday" get repeated. The speaker says the same thing three times. We know this is for redundancy.
Why exactly three times?…
Mark Jones Jr.
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35
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4 answers
What precautions prevent 'insiders' from stealing a large aircraft, as in the Horizon Air Q400 incident?
For those who haven't heard it yet, a ground worker stole a Q400 at SeaTac this week, performing an unauthorized takeoff and going for a joyride before eventually crashing into an island. The plane was empty and fueled at the time of departure.
My…
jdude97
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35
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3 answers
When might a pilot hand-fly a jet at cruise altitudes, and is it difficult?
How difficult is it to hand-fly a jet at cruise altitudes? Other than autopilot failure and just doing it for the fun of it, when might you want to hand-fly at those altitudes?
I suspect the answer to the first question varies with different…
Terry
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35
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1 answer
What exactly happened in this bird strike incident?
This Boeing 737 was hit by a bird and continued all the way to its final destination, from Prague to Las Palmas.
What actually happened here? Was the incident considered a bird strike or an engine stall? Can an aircraft continue to its final…
Uraflight
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35
votes
5 answers
Why does flying not have any age restrictions like driving does?
I read an autobiography about Vicki Van Meter, who, with her instructor, flew across the United States at age 11 in 1993. Why could someone of that age not drive with the instructor?
Does it have to do with a different set of principles that flying…
HeavenlyHarmony
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35
votes
6 answers
What is the procedure for landing on an aircraft carrier?
What is the procedure for landing on an aircraft carrier? How is the checklist different from a regular landing?
Pranav
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35
votes
1 answer
What is the strange object on 737-800 exterior, on the aft right side?
I was unable to locate this on a "real life" picture of the aircraft, so have attached an image from my simulator. What is the function/purpose of this object on the exterior of the 738? It seems like it would decrease efficiency so it must surely…
sdr981
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35
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2 answers
Why do helicopters not roll over when flying forwards?
Related to this answer: with velocities so different at forward going and rearward going blade, why does the helicopter not roll over? The higher airspeed at the forward going blade should cause more lift, shouldn't it?
Koyovis
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35
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4 answers
Do the wheels of taxi-capable helicopters have power?
There are many big helicopters which seem to taxi just as good as any fixed wing aircraft, for example CH-47.
Do their landing gear wheels have power or they also taxi using thrust like their fixed wing counterparts?
If they do have power, are the…
Hanky Panky
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35
votes
6 answers
What simulation software do airlines use?
What simulation software do airlines use for training purposes? Do they use software like P3D, FSX, X-Plane, or FlightGear? Or is it a custom? What about aircraft? Do they source them from groups like PMDG or is this also custom?
TayE
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35
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4 answers
Why can't you ditch your aircraft in the sea?
Disclosure: I'm just a random guy who knows nothing about aviation. :-)
I read:
A voice in my earphones was shouting: “Ditch the plane! Ditch it in the ocean!”
It must have come from the tanker skipper or one of the destroyer commanders down…
user541686
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35
votes
5 answers
Why choose to ditch in the sea over bailing out?
I recently watched the film Dunkirk (I highly recommend watching it).
Without wanting to give away too much information about the film, a Spitfire pilot is flying over part of The Channel. They lose their engine and state the sea looks calm and opt…
Darth Vader
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35
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6 answers
Why does Airbus not display the exact airspeed on the PFD?
On every other PFD (I know), the exact airspeed is displayed as big number on the PFD. To clarify what I mean, here are two pictures:
Source, added square, Boeing PFD
Source, added square, D10A EFIS
Now, when we take a look at the Airbus PFD, we…
Noah Krasser
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35
votes
9 answers
Can a military pilot make his airplane invisible for the ATCs?
I'm writing a story about the pilot of the Austrian Air Force, who uses his Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for unintended purposes.
I've read stories in the internets that civil pilots allegedly can make their planes invisible for the flight…
user20083
35
votes
2 answers
What are the security measures preventing someone from chartering a 747 and using it to commit a terrorist attack?
While most travelers are well familiar with the security measures imposed by conventional airlines, it is unclear how they apply to private aircraft.
Is it possible for a private individual to charter a 747 for private uses? And if so, are there any…
JonathanReez
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