Most Popular
1500 questions
24
votes
3 answers
Why don't militaries use ram-air parachutes?
Military parachutes for use by humans (both paratroopers and distressed aircrew) tend to be of simple round or (more recently) cruciform design:
(Image by the United States Army, via Wikimedia Commons.)
(Image by the United States Army, via…
Vikki
- 28,337
- 16
- 122
- 282
24
votes
3 answers
What prevents a small plane like a Cessna or Piper from flying as high as a jet?
Obviously taking oxygen in consideration. What prevents a small plane from being able to fly at a much higher altitude? I know some business jets can fly up to 40,000 ft. Does it have to do with the wings air foil? For example, can you fly a Cessna…
Boeing787
- 6,454
- 3
- 33
- 82
24
votes
1 answer
Did LeMay actually require crews to remove their guns on B-29s?
There is a persistent rumour/storyline that, during and after the successful low-level raids on Tokyo in March 1945, LeMay ordered that all B-29s remove their guns, except for the tail gun. However, I have found no evidence that this ever really…
Phil Crowther
- 1,013
- 7
- 24
24
votes
1 answer
Can a 16 year old student pilot "pre-take" the checkride?
I am a student pilot, and I soloed about one month after my 16th birthday. I know I can't become a private pilot until I am 17, but I'm wondering if there is a way to take the check ride before you are 17, but be limited to the privileges of a…
GeckoFox1001
- 1,358
- 8
- 22
24
votes
1 answer
Can anyone identify the Make and Model of this nosed-over plane?
I've tried to identify this plane by the writing on the plate on the cowling but have been unable to match the logo, and when I've blown the size up the writing is unreadable. It looks something like SCOOTROM with a long tail on the upper part of…
FreshBreeze
- 1,221
- 5
- 18
24
votes
2 answers
Can anyone identify what appears to be a crashed WWII German plane?
This photograph is in my family's photo collection. The only information with the photo is, "Cousin Bud Kohl - aircraft wreck." If anyone can identify the make and model it is greatly appreciated.
FreshBreeze
- 1,221
- 5
- 18
24
votes
4 answers
Why don't flights fly towards their landing approach path sooner?
For example shown here, the flight is heading to the centre of the airport, until it gets close when it then moves into it's landing path. This is an inefficient use of time, fuel and emmissions, why can't the airport tell the aeroplane exactly…
AndrewHarvey
- 351
- 2
- 5
24
votes
2 answers
Why is the A380's fuselage designed with a flat bottom?
I want to know if there is some explanation for why the A380 bottom is flat instead of the oval shape, just near the wings.
Robert M
- 241
- 1
- 2
- 4
24
votes
3 answers
Is it recommended to get a life raft for short overwater operations?
I'd like to fly to Santa Catalina Island (AVX) from the mainland around Los Angeles. There is a portion of this overwater flight where my Cessna 172 will be beyond gliding distance from land. I know that people usually do this flight with only…
SurfandSky
- 1,107
- 7
- 18
24
votes
2 answers
What is different between a B737 and B757?
Both are single aisle, 3 by 3 seating planes. Both are vaguely similar in length (with appropriate models). But they have fairly different ranges.
For similar sized airplanes, why the big difference?
geoffc
- 929
- 1
- 13
- 25
24
votes
4 answers
Why are heavy flaps better than just a bigger wing?
Flaps increase lift during landing and T/O. But when retracted, they do nothing. The space needed to stow the common fowler flaps can't be used for anything else - fuel or structure. Extended flaps are thin, making them need more material to…
Abdullah is not an Amalekite
- 3,571
- 1
- 15
- 58
24
votes
3 answers
Why are US Regional Airline starting wages so low?
With 2,000hrs of flight time, a commercial ticket for ASEL and AMEL, CFI, CFII, MEI, and a Master's in Aeronautical Science I could easily qualify to fly right seat for a regional airline, but I just can't compete with pilots willing to work for…
p1l0t
- 1,628
- 16
- 23
24
votes
2 answers
Do test pilots on commercial aircraft wear a parachute?
I was watching a video of the first A350 flight. At 0:35 one of the pilots appears to be wearing a helmet and what looks like a parachute. Is that true? Do pilots on maiden flights wear such a kit, so that in case of an emergency they can evacuate…
hat
- 889
- 8
- 18
24
votes
3 answers
Why is this airplane flying in circles randomly?
This G650 has been flying around for over an hour now. Is this somebody with a mechanical problem who is burning fuel before returning to their airport of origin?
alpartis
- 351
- 1
- 3
- 7
24
votes
3 answers
Left hand seat, is it so important?
With reference to this article on aviation herald at Accident: Shanghai B738 at Shanghai on Jan 3rd 2020, tail strike on landing, captain and first officer swapped seats in flight where the report discusses swapping seats between captain and first…
user871199
- 1,817
- 2
- 15
- 21