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1500 questions
34
votes
3 answers
Are private jets allowed to land at London Heathrow?
Heathrow is among the worlds busiest airports, with traffic mostly (entirely?) from airliners. Are private/business jets (e.g. Gulfstream G650 or Cessna Citation X) allowed to land at Heathrow?
If so, what are the landing fees and what criteria do…
securitydude5
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34
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4 answers
How hazardous is it if an engine cowl falls off?
There was recently an incident where the engine cowl of the starboard engine of a United Airline's Boeing 777 fell off during flight:
'Scariest Flight of My Life.' United Airlines Made an Emergency Landing After an Engine Cover Flew Off
Engine…
Kanchu
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34
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5 answers
Why are visual approaches (in the US) preferred by US pilots, but not European pilots?
I listen to ATC a lot and often hear airliners cleared for visual approaches in the USA. Interestingly, if it's European airliner pilots they deny the visual approach and request ILS even if they are in an emergency and probably should land ASAP.…
Andrius
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34
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1 answer
What is this aircraft that appeared at Oshkosh 2017?
This photo is an image from a youtube video of Oshkosh 2017.
mwr
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34
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7 answers
Is a helicopter ride unsafe for young children?
Recently we were in London and noticed how so many helicopter rides were there. While booking a ride I found out that they do not take a child under 4 years of age, none of the Heli ride companies I found in London allowed any child under 4 to take…
Hanky Panky
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34
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2 answers
Why is there a grid below the antennas of an VOR?
A few days ago I made a trip to the VOR-DME near my local airport LOWG, because I always wanted to see one. It's GRZ on 116.2.
When I was there, I wondered why there is a giant metal grid under the actual antennas of the VOR.
Source: Klaus…
Noah Krasser
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34
votes
2 answers
Why is it not recommended to hold the nose up on the A320 after touchdown?
I was recently told by a trainer in my airline that on the A320 if we hold the nose up after main gear touchdown then the flight control laws logic will memorise that pitch attitude after 5 seconds and will hold it there. Can anyone provide clarity…
Jai
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34
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2 answers
How often should an engine be run, to stay mechanically sound?
It's winter time and many light aircraft are sitting idle. This can be detrimental to an engine's health.
What is a good rule of thumb for how often a piston engine should be exercised, and for how long?
If the aircraft cannot be flown, what is an…
egid
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34
votes
5 answers
Do pilots need a clearance to go around?
I have read about the missed-SFO-accident and watched the 2:22 movie. I want to ask about going-around (or canceling takeoff) when the pilot is fully aware of an emergency that the tower is not (or is late at acting).
According to the reconstruction…
usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ
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34
votes
5 answers
What is Class F airspace, and why is it not used in the US?
I've read that ICAO defines Class F airspace but the FAA has chosen not to use the airspace class in the US. What is the ICAO definition of Class F airspace and how does it differ from other airspace classes? What countries use Class F airspace? Why…
jrdioko
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34
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1 answer
Who has final authority over Air Force One?
U.S. FAA FAR 91.3 ("Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command") says that:
The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and
is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
When an aircraft is…
JBithell
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34
votes
6 answers
How would an airplane land if the on-board radio breaks down?
Is there a special protocol for a situation where the on-board radio communication equipment suddenly breaks down? Would the pilot be able to land on a busy towered airfield or would they be forced to look for a small landing strip in the middle of…
JonathanReez
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34
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5 answers
What's the point of using T-38 to instill flight proficiency in Space Shuttle pilots?
As discussed in this Q&A, NASA pilots had to fly 15 hours a month on T-38 to maintain flight proficiency.
NASA Dryden's T-38 Talon trainer jet in flight over the main base complex at Edwards Air Force Base. Source
As a newbie, this seems rather…
DVK
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34
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4 answers
Has there ever been a fully automated takeoff, cruise, and landing of a large aircraft similar to commercial airliners?
Has there ever been a fully automated takeoff, cruise, and landing of a large aircraft similar to commercial airliners?
In fact, has there ever been a fully automatic flight of any pure aircraft whatsoever? This is gonna sound crazy, but the only…
DrZ214
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34
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4 answers
How were bullets fired through the propeller in the Focke Wulf 190?
In WWII there was a plane called the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. It was designed by an engineer called Kurt Tank.
How is it possible that the Fw 190 fires through the propeller from 4 different places as you can see in the picture below? There are two…
Marcello Miorelli
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