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1500 questions
27
votes
1 answer
How do I submit a NOTAM?
I (a hypothetical person) am involved in an activity like laser light shows, model rocket launches, fireworks displays, or construction which I think might be important to pilots. How can I submit this information to the FAA so that they can issue a…
TypeIA
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27
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10 answers
Why do airports have directional runways instead of a large area to operate in any direction?
Instead of a few runways in a few directions, why not have a large square block of asphalt so that planes can take off and land in any direction? Where and on what direction planes land and take off will still be determined by ATC, but these…
Count Iblis
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27
votes
6 answers
At what speeds can an airplane land?
I have read people's stories that they landed their small planes (e.g. C172) on bigger airports. They strongly recommended landing at a higher speed and without flaps as the runways are quite long, and there is traffic behind them.
Hence, if I want…
Farhan
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27
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10 answers
Has someone with no experience at all ever taken off in a plane? Could they?
I was watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 and their showing of 1970 TV movie/pilot San Fransisco International. One of the plots in the movie involves a twelve (or so) year old boy, who, alarmed about his parents' imminent separation, wanders…
Exal
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27
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2 answers
Do multi-engine jets need all engines with equal age to reduce asymmetry in thrust and fuel consumption arising out of deterioration?
Let's assume, one of the engines on a twin-jet needs replacement and the jet is is fitted with an old engine and a newer engine after the due replacement, the older engine would tend to produce less thrust at higher fuel consumption due to…
jayS
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27
votes
1 answer
Why are electric shavers specifically permitted under FAR §91.21
This struck me as a bit strange, 91.21 which covers electronic devices that can be used during IFR flight has some exceptions, one through three make logical sense (not really sure why portable voice recorders are in there though) but number 4,…
Dave
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27
votes
3 answers
How could the B-29 bomber back up under its own power?
I was watching some footage of the Enola gay
I was interested in the part where the plane was backing up over the bomb (starts around 18:27). It appears to be doing this under its own power with the propellers running. Could the B-29 reverse…
Machavity
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27
votes
5 answers
Is it cheaper to drop cargo than to land it?
Is it more fuel efficient to drop cargo onto a runway from the air en route to a final destination than to land and unload it using a more fuel efficient plane?
Muze
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27
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4 answers
Is 'bouncing' an airliner on landing in high winds a deliberate technique, or something always unexpected?
Last week, 767 landing at Newark, high winds, a good deal of rocking in the last few minutes, some passengers quite distressed. The landing was harder and noisier than usual, and we immediately floated upwards, must have been a couple of seconds…
Party Ark
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27
votes
3 answers
Why has the 777x been designed with folding wingtips?
I recently visited the Boeing factory outside Seattle, WA and noted in the distance a new 777x being built with, what looked like very large winglets.
However, on closer inspection they're not - the ends of the wings are designed to fold…
Jamiec
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27
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7 answers
What does the "DO NOT USE FOR NAVIGATION" indication mean?
Sometimes when I'm browsing IAC charts online I find a "DO NOT USE FOR NAVIGATION" notice printed on the chart. Not always though.
For example, have a look at the chart for Queenstown RNAV (RNP) Y RWY 05.
See the notice there?
I have always…
codeaviator
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27
votes
2 answers
What is a rubber engine?
I hear it a lot in engine design , I think that belongs to some phase about we can change the engine parameters according to requirements but I am not sure about it.
deniz can elçi
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27
votes
3 answers
Why are airlines so concerned with checked baggage weight?
Why is it that commercial airlines are so concerned with checked baggage weight, such that they charge extra just for the privilege of checking in a suitcase with a limited weight (e.g. 15kg), and then if you should go even a couple of kg over the…
komodosp
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27
votes
2 answers
What does RTF mean?
There is a sign in Tempelhof airport in Berlin. What does the abbreviation RTF mean? I tried to google but found nothing.
kharandziuk
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27
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3 answers
How do hot air balloons navigate?
Hot air balloons are quite obviously carried along with the wind, so how can they be navigated? Choosing the correct launch point relative to the desired landing point would seem to play a major part of this, but logic states that it is not always…
Monty Wild
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