Most Popular
1500 questions
24
votes
3 answers
Why did Southwest ask the FAA to ground their flights, rather than doing it themselves?
According to a tweet from the FAA, "Southwest Airlines requested the FAA pause the airline’s departures."
Southwest Airlines tweeted
We have had to implement a ground stop as a result of intermittent issues that were experienced, and we should…
Someone
- 7,087
- 2
- 40
- 107
24
votes
1 answer
What is the most overlooked item during preflight inspection?
Have there been any studies that gathered statistics on overlooked items on preflight inspections, or even statistics on how many pilots actually perform a good preflight (following a checklist, etc.)?
If such a study exists, did it uncover anything…
Canuk
- 8,442
- 7
- 47
- 89
24
votes
5 answers
Is the cabin pressure "worse" at the back of the cabin than in front?
My mother has a bad hearing problem and wears 2 hearing aids. She tells me the air pressure is worse for her in the back of the plane than the front. I would like to know if this is true - is there a difference in air pressure depending on where you…
elise Mc Leod
- 241
- 3
- 3
24
votes
7 answers
Where to find a waypoints/fixed points, navaids and airports database?
I wonder if it is possible to download a database with waypoints, navaids, airports and airways between them. I've been working with AIP documents but it's difficult to get raw information from them and they only have information about waypoints.
I…
Godraude
- 343
- 1
- 2
- 7
24
votes
4 answers
How did the propellers on the B-29 stop perfectly in sync?
In the photos below, the propellers on the B-29 props all stop in the same position. Is this done by hand, it is this automatic?
Boeing787
- 6,454
- 3
- 33
- 82
24
votes
3 answers
What is the difference between the V-shape tail and the straight tail on the Beechcraft Bonanza?
In one of the answers to the question which aircraft is the oldest in production, the
Beechcraft Bonanza is mentioned. While reading the Wikipedia entry on this interesting plane, I noticed that there are some models with a V-shape tail and some…
Andra
- 1,100
- 1
- 11
- 12
24
votes
2 answers
24
votes
4 answers
Why do most ARFF trucks tend to be so angular?
玄史生, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
I've been looking at various types of ARFF (aircraft rescue and firefighting) apparatus, and while some rapid-response vehicles do appear to be more conventional, most full-size ARFF apparatus tend to have very…
MD88Fan
- 2,484
- 13
- 34
24
votes
4 answers
Incidents of V1 flying bombs being nudged instead of shot down
There are stories regarding V1 flying bombs being nudged off course that I have heard numerous times over the last 50 years. I can understand the reluctance to shoot a bomb from directly behind it but I really wonder how often a V1 was truly nudged.…
SDH
- 650
- 5
- 13
24
votes
5 answers
What was the inflight entertainment in the early seventies?
In her 1970 song "This Flight Tonight", Joni Mitchell sings
I'm drinking sweet champagne
Got the headphones up high
Can't numb you out
Can't drum you out of my mind
They're playing Goodbye baby, Baby Goodbye
Ooh ooh love is blind
The Sony Walkman…
SQB
- 2,265
- 1
- 21
- 49
24
votes
4 answers
What happens when two different control inputs are commanded in an aircraft with two control columns?
For example, the captain starts pulling back and to the right to turn right. First officer initiates a left diving turn. What happens?
Bassinator
- 5,490
- 7
- 35
- 56
24
votes
3 answers
Explaining a "Great Circle Route" to young Civil Air Patrol cadets
What would be an easily understood explanation of a "Great Circle Route" for young Civil Air Patrol cadets who are being introduced to aviation and navigation principles for the first time?
user22445
24
votes
3 answers
Why do digital flight instruments seem to fluctuate/flicker during landing or takeoff?
I happened to watched videos where landing was aborted due to some or other reasons.
However, something interesting stuck me eyes: the digital flight instruments fluctuate/flicker (such as the attitude indicator) and can be easily noticed apart from…
Viktor Wolf
- 343
- 1
- 4
- 12
24
votes
1 answer
Can you identify this 1920s or 30s biplane?
Can you identify this aircraft from the 1920s or 30s I think? On the back of the photo it says “Taken at Nanking, after flying from Hong Kong to Shanghai”. I don’t know who the pilot is. My grandfather was in the British Fleet Air Arm, so I guess it…
Andrew Jackson
- 241
- 2
- 3
24
votes
1 answer
What is the purpose of the extremely high cabin altitudes in military aircraft?
The Lockheed SR-71 and the (old) Lockheed U-2 were engineered to maintain cabin altitudes in excess of 25000 feet AMSL at an altitude of more than 70000 feet AMSL.
However, in both airplanes, pilots are required to wear space suits which maintain…
shortstheory
- 3,996
- 5
- 36
- 56