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1500 questions
25
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3 answers
Why is rotating engines in opposite directions more important for a propeller-driven plane than a jet?
From here it is seen that many multi-engine propeller planes spin their propellers in opposite directions. To avoid producing "left" and "right" types of the engine, a gearbox is fitted.
In contrast, jet engines usually spin in the same direction.…
h22
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Why burn fuel at departure airport instead of flying to destination before emergency landing due to deflated tire?
A Southwest airliner recently had an issue where a "deflated tire indicator" showed on one of the landing gear tires after takeoff from Oakland, CA. They circled nearby for 4 hours while burning off fuel before landing back at Oakland.
In a…
Johnny
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Why do Airbus sidesticks add their inputs?
There have been a couple of Airbus disasters where, in the confusion leading up to the crash, both pilots have attempted to control the aircraft with their sidesticks at the same time. In the absence of either pilot using the priority button, the…
Dan Hulme
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25
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5 answers
Are passengers really not allowed to change seats before take-off due to weight and balance?
Just boarded an A320 with many open seats (Spirit), and the flight attendant said we may not change seats until at altitude due to weight and balance. Is he just trying to prevent pax from moving around while the crew is busy moving around the…
bcf
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Could a pilot incapacitate other crew/passengers by manipulating cabin air quality/pressure?
Could a pilot of an airliner incapacitate everyone outside the cockpit by somehow triggering a loss of cabin pressure while simultaneously disarming the airplane's oxygen masks, manipulating the air circulation system to induce hypoxia, or some…
Yarin
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Why is a large flashing "X" placed on a closed runway at Reagan National Airport?
Runway 15 at DCA (Reagan National) is closed at night and other times. By "closed," I mean that airport management places a gigantic lit/flashing "X" in the landing zone of 15. I'd estimate the big "X" is 8 by 8 feet, at least. It's like one of…
rwrwr2r23r
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In what conditions is the APU used in midair?
In flight, engines provide all the needed energy (bleed air, hydraulic and electrical power). So the APU can be shut down shortly after engines are running. But I imagine that starting the APU in midair is a well known procedure because:
I…
Manu H
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How are fly-by-wire airliners controlled in case of complete electrical failure?
In this comment, it is postulated that even fly-by-wire aircraft (Airbus) are demonstrated to fly without any electrical systems.
All Airbus aircraft are demonstrated controllable with complete electrical failure. They would be pretty difficult to…
Sanchises
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10 answers
What's the difference between a balked landing and a go-around?
Is there a difference between a balked landing and a go-around?
If there is, what exactly is a balked landing?
user1640841
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How can one enter an airliner without stairs or a jet bridge?
I see that big planes (B737, A319 etc.) always need a staircase or a boarding tunnel in order for crew or passengers to enter the cabin since the position of the entry door is quite high (meters above the ground). What solutions are there if none of…
Fabrizio Mazzoni
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7 answers
How many kilowatts to get an electric 747-8 airborne?
Reading about the Airbus E-Fan and it's dual 30 kW thrust fans caused me to wonder: assuming the need for four electric fans, how many kilowatts would be required to power each fan with enough thrust to get a Boeing 747-8 airborne?
Mike C.
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Why are magnetized materials dangerous goods?
I was reading about Dangerous Goods, and came across the fact that magnetized materials are classified as Dangerous Goods (item 12 in the linked page). We all see magnets every day, and they seem harmless.
Why are magnets dangerous to airplanes and…
vasin1987
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How does TCAS work?
TCAS is obviously a fantastic piece of kit, but I was wondering: exactly how does it work?
What I mean is, how does it determine whether to tell a pilot to climb or descend when there's traffic?
Also, can you give an overview of the various types of…
Danny Beckett
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What item is a pushback operator holding up after pushback?
After a pushback I saw the operator of the pusback truck standing next to his truck and showing the pilots a "thumbs up" with his right hand. In his left hand he was holding something up. It looked like a key or some kind of cotter.
I could imagine…
André Stannek
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What is an afterburner and how long can a jet fly on afterburner?
I heard this word so many time in military documentary about jets, especially fighter jets, but I don't fully understand what it is or how it works. In a documentary from the Discovery Channel, all but one fighter needed to engage afterburner to…
TBBT
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