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1500 questions
26
votes
3 answers
What do the callouts "approaching minimums" and "minimums " mean?
When landing, what exactly do the phrases "approaching minimums" and "minimums" mean in a commercial jet aircraft, when heard from the onboard cockpit voice.
garyv440
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26
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Is it possible to fly with counterbalanced single blade engines?
Refer the image for counterbalanced single blade (Source http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/bo-103.php).
In ground school, they took us for aircraft inspection at end of our ground school classes. The instructor told us that "counterbalanced…
Lucky
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26
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4 answers
How do drones overcome latency?
The US Military's use of drones has become commonplace, and widely known at this point. Although these vehicles are operated from nearby bases during these attacks, it seems like the latency (time of transmission) would be problematic as far as…
Sargun Dhillon
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26
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1 answer
What's the reason for this frog finger shaped parking lots at Köln/Bonn airport (CGN)?
Most aprons of international airports are vast areas paved with asphalt or concrete. However, I noticed this structures in the south of Köln/Bonn airport (CGN) (Google maps link):
Does anyone know what's the reason behind this unusual…
sweber
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26
votes
5 answers
Was the intended purpose of the F-117 Nighthawk originally a stealth-fighter?
Based on this question, I learned that the F and A-Letters in the naming of (military) aircraft reflects what their intended purpose is.
A: Attack (Air-to-ground)
F: Fighter (Air-to-air)
their names mostly reflect what their intended purpose is…
jklingler
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26
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1 answer
What does Top 1% mentioned by ATC refer to?
I have watched Live ATC tons of time. But I still don't know which airline is called "Top 1%". Ex: Delta 81 right Bravo right Kilo give way to company A380 and follow the Top 1%".
Just wanna know what "Top 1%" means. Or that is only for JFK?
Sherwin
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26
votes
4 answers
Why are you required to commit to a full stop landing if reverse thrust is selected?
According to Airbus:
‐ After the flight crew selects reverse thrust, they must perform a full stop landing.
Does it really make sense to have this limitation, and why? What happens if you realise there's not enough space to land, and you've still…
Qantas 94 Heavy
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26
votes
3 answers
Why has the folding wing option of the Boeing 777 never been ordered?
The Boeing 777 has an optional folding wing mechanism to fit into tighter spaces, but it has never been ordered by airlines, according to Wikipedia. Why is this option so unpopular?
Now with the Boeing 777X, Boeing is again offering a smaller, less…
Ethan
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26
votes
8 answers
Can a plane fly backward if its propeller is in reverse?
I would like to know if a prop plane, for example the P-51, could be able to fly backward. Is it possible through some trick like changing blade angle or reverse the prob rotation direction? It would have been hard for piloting, but is this…
TBBT
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26
votes
2 answers
Are large passenger aircraft steered during taxi by changing the angle of the front landing gear?
When moving to and from the runway, does a large passenger aircraft turn by changing the thrust difference on its side engines, or by turning the front landing gear to a different angle? If it is by turning the front landing gear, through what…
yippy_yay
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26
votes
3 answers
What can I do as a bystander on the ground if I see an aircraft above me that appears to be failing?
If I'm watching an aircraft fly overhead and it becomes apparent to me that it is failing, what action can I take in response to this incident?
For now I will leave this question generic as to location, but if it becomes necessary to narrow it down…
called2voyage
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26
votes
6 answers
What are the factors behind increasing aircraft window sizes?
Modern airliners like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 have bigger windows than older designs, like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.
What factors have led to this change of window size, opposite to the trend of almost every other thing in the interior…
anshabhi
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26
votes
5 answers
Why are pilots asked to provide a reason for a go-around?
Why does the tower ask pilots what the reason is for a go-around? This seems to be standard for commercial flights.
fooot
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26
votes
2 answers
What is a 709 ride?
One of the enforcement actions that FAA can take against a pilot is known as a "709 ride" in which your certifications and rating are reevaluated by the FAA.
What is the regulatory basis for this exam?
What are the possible outcomes of this…
casey
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26
votes
5 answers
What does the term "trimming" most commonly mean in aviation?
Why does an airplane need trim, and what does it do during the flight? Does an autopilot adjust the trim automatically?
Haris
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