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1500 questions
24
votes
2 answers
Why are the controls of transport category aircraft much heavier than light aircraft?
Anyone who has transitioned from light GA aircraft to large turbofan airliners will notice the difference: the control column on a large aircraft is much heavier. While still within limits of a healthy adult, it takes a considerably larger force to…
kevin
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24
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8 answers
Does lift equal weight in a climb?
This subject keeps coming up in the discussions and questions such as this one, which asks if lift equals weight in level flight. Good answers there, pointing out that upwards force has many sources. But also some that need clarification.
It is…
Koyovis
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24
votes
2 answers
Is there an official record of the pilot with the most logged flight time?
We often hear about pilots with 10 or even 20 thousands hours. So I was wondering how much higher this number can go. Do we know which pilot has the most logged time? Is there any official number?
Jimy
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24
votes
7 answers
Does taxiing time gets considered in a pilot's flying hours?
Basically the title. This could be referenced to US or European rules.
Firee
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24
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2 answers
Why have converging runways?
This is Ramstein air base in Germany,
Why would you want to have runways converging (or diverging) like that, doesn't seem to do you much good in terms of parallel usage (either the approach, or the go-around would be exciting).
The only reason I…
falstro
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24
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2 answers
Why is the ratio maximum range speed/maximum endurance speed the same for any airplane?
It seems counter-intuitive that the ratio of speeds for maximum range and maximum endurance is always the same, $3^{0.25} = 1.316...$ for any heavier-than-air aircraft, regardless of its mass, size or form. It's hard to believe that such ratio may…
xxavier
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24
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3 answers
What to do when you accidentally land on a runway thats borderline long enough to land on?
I was reading another question earlier when I noticed a story about a 737-700 that landed at M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport in downtown Branson Missouri. The runway is only 3738 ft, long, which is a bit short for that particular kind of…
Jae Carr
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24
votes
3 answers
What is the standard way for the ATC to ask a pilot to repeat him/herself?
There is a lot of information on how the pilot should ask the ATC to repeat a statement, but is there a standard way for the ATC to ask the pilot to repeat a readback, or any new information that the pilot provides?
Priyank
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24
votes
4 answers
Is it legal to use handheld radios to listen to aviation frequencies in the USA?
Is it legal to use handheld radios to listen to (general aviation) airport frequencies in the USA? Can I go to an airport with a handheld radio and listen to their frequencies?
Sam
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24
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11 answers
Why do piston engines in aircraft burn fuel at a higher rate than a comparable car engine?
I've never understood why piston powered plane engines burn such a large amount of fuel per time period than car engines.
Can anyone elaborate on this?
I know that a C172M will burn ~5-9+ gph at 2200-2550 RPM between 2k-12k feet based on the POH. …
N Klosterman
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24
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1 answer
Do Air Traffic Controllers have to remember stall speeds for different aircraft?
While dealing with Takeoffs and Landings controllers provide speeds to pilots for different phases of the flight, specially during a landing approach.
How do they know which speeds are safe for all the different models operating to and from their…
Hanky Panky
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24
votes
3 answers
Why does an Avro RJ85 have four engines?
The British-designed Avro RJ85 is a short-haul airplane with four jet engines. What is the purpose of four engines for such a small aircraft?
George
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24
votes
2 answers
How does the FAA define day and night?
For the purposes of regulations how do the FARS define daytime? Is it sunrise to sunset, civil twilight, astronomical twilight?
This question was asked before with regards to EASA rules, but FAA was not included.
TomMcW
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24
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2 answers
What is the purpose of the box between the engines of an A-10?
There is a curious box between the engines of an A-10. It's seems rather rudimentary, like an afterthought, although it was present on the prototype.
I've found a few cutaways but this part is hidden. I'm fairly sure that at least the front is…
Party Ark
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24
votes
1 answer
What are the restrictions on performing intentional spins?
I know there is controversy over the safety and utility of performing spins for training, but what are the regulations limiting them for training (solo and dual) or 'just for fun'?
kevin42
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