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1500 questions
24
votes
6 answers
Is it difficult for a GA aircraft to escape a thunderstorm?
I live in the midwest, and I'm getting ready to start working on my PPL. For some reason I find myself really nervous about getting into the air and suddenly seeing a line of thunderstorms rolling in from the southwest. In my mind it feels like a…
Jae Carr
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24
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2 answers
What is the difference between conventional VOR and Doppler VOR?
There are two types of VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) navigation beacons; the conventional VOR (CVOR) and the Doppler VOR (DVOR).
What are the differences between them? Specifically I would like to know:
Do they generate the same navigation…
DeltaLima
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24
votes
5 answers
Why are Inline Engines more commonly used than Radial Engines?
Back in the early days of aviation radial engines were very popular, it seemed like all of the big planes of the 20s, 30s and early 40s used them. But some time during WWII (or so it seems to me) aircraft manufacturers switched from radial engines…
Jae Carr
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24
votes
6 answers
Do you have to explain what your emergency is?
Story Time:
Let's assume, for the sake of the question, that you were piloting a twin engine plane and the right engine, out of the blue, shuts down.
After realizing it you declare emergency, and explain very briefly to the ATC what is your…
Gabriel Brito
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24
votes
10 answers
Can you fly a glider in a cloud on primary instruments?
Assume you enter a cloud with no visibility of the horizon. Your glider is not equipped with an artificial horizon, turn speed indicator or the like.
You must fly within safe limits, using air speed, ball, yarn, compass, variometer, altimeter and…
cvr
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24
votes
4 answers
How is metal fatigue detected in an aircraft?
There have been many accidents involving metal fatigue. How do the engineers, maintenance team, etc. know if an aircraft has metal fatigue? What is done to "minimize" metal fatigue or repair it?
user13197
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24
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2 answers
Who owns wrecked airplanes in international waters?
Reading about a Spanish treasure ship, I found that it eventually created a dispute between the company that found it (Odyssey) and the Spanish government, so the following questions came to my mind (focused on an international ocean wreck):
Is the…
Trebia Project.
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4 answers
Why is New York-London used in time measurement for aircraft?
Looking around aviation news and history, I see that many commercial aircraft are touted to have this or that much time fly between New York and London. What caused the route between these two cities to be used in measuring the "speed" of the…
SMS von der Tann
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4 answers
What is the measurement system used in the aviation industry?
I saw this question from History Stack Exchange and noted that the US is still using the imperial measurement system such as feet, miles and pounds.
Given that a plane may need to fly from one country to another, is there any standardisation across…
Question Overflow
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6 answers
Can passenger movement in an airliner make it stall?
This question shows a couple of air hostesses dancing during mid-flight and the co-pilot came out of the cabin to record it.
This made me wonder: Can flight crew or passengers moving around in flight cause the airplane to stall?
suchdoge
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3 answers
Why do blimps have fins?
Why do blimps have fins? Can't the two (or so) engines already control direction?
John M.
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24
votes
3 answers
What happens when the logbook of an aircraft is lost?
If the logbook for an aircraft is lost, how does one replace it? Is the airplane still airworthy?
fbynite
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24
votes
2 answers
Is a golf ball surface a good idea for wings or fuselage?
I searched for an infamous golf ball question on this site but did not find any, so I guess it's time for one.
Would a dimpled surface like a golf ball somehow improve the aerodynamics of an airplane? (there are many planes for many purposes, so…
DrZ214
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24
votes
2 answers
May a non-instrument pilot legally file IFR as long as he amends and doesn’t accept an instrument clearance?
Say a pilot plans to make a cross country flight along Victor airways, but under VFR. Depending on workload and communication effectiveness along the way, our hero may provide the planned fairly complex route to the FAA at least three times.
Flight…
Greg Bacon
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24
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3 answers
Do any commercial airline models have a parachute at rear to help in landings?
Some land-based fighter aircraft have a drogue-chute to help them slow down during landing.
Do any current models of commercial aircraft have a similar
mechanism?
Secondly, would such a mechanism help aircraft in making a better landing and reduce…
Firee
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