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1500 questions
57
votes
9 answers
Can this helicopter/wrecking ball combo remain airborne?
I just ran into this meta-answer which includes this image:
My initial guess is that the wrecking ball is far too heavy for the helicopter to lift, but I'd be interested in the numbers to see just by how much.
From this silhouette, can the…
Digital Trauma
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57
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6 answers
What energy density is required for the batteries in order to make an all-electric analogue of the Cessna 150 or similar plane?
I think I have some general understanding that at the present moment even with the best possible batteries, a 2 seater training aircraft (like the C-150) would be very impractical. I'm not even talking about electric analogs of the Piper Seneca, let…
Electric Pilot
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57
votes
4 answers
What programming languages are used for equipment onboard aircraft?
Generally speaking, What programming language is used in aviation for (ATC Radio, Radar, ILS, Auto-pilot and on-board avionics)?
Is there a standard enforced by ICAO?
Does every plane manufacturer use the programming language they like as long as…
Taher Elhouderi
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57
votes
4 answers
Why do many GA aircraft not have a "Both" fuel selector?
I've been trying to rack my brain around this and asked a few CFI's who couldn't give me more than "because that is how it was done", but a good number of GA aircraft save for Cessna and maybe a few others only have a Left/Right fuel…
Ron Beyer
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57
votes
1 answer
Why does the DC-9 have engines that are angled slightly upwards?
As per subject, I see that the above mentioned aircraft and some others that have engines mounted on the rear of the fuselage, have the engine intakes tilted slightly upwards. Why has this solution been implemented?
Wouldn't it be better having them…
Fabrizio Mazzoni
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57
votes
6 answers
Instrument landing: why do all electronic devices need to be shut off?
A few days ago, I took a flight home. Towards the end of the journey, the captain asked us to shut down any electronic device that we had on board, including iPods, CD players, phones and so on, because there was very low visibility, and we were…
Nicola Miotto
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56
votes
10 answers
Can you fly a light GA airplane into a major hub? What operational considerations are there if you do?
I did my training around the Seattle area, and was told that landing at SeaTac Airport (the region's major International/Commercial airport), while not strictly forbidden, was definitely frowned upon because it can slow down and interfere with the…
abelenky
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56
votes
4 answers
Why are airports in Greece blurred and low res in Google Maps?
Why are airports in Greece blurred and low res in Google Maps?
Gianluca Ghettini
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56
votes
2 answers
Why does the F-117 Nighthawk look different than other stealth planes?
The F-117 Nighthawk has flat angled lines where most later designs (B2, F22, F35) have very smooth lines. Why the difference? Are the newer designs 'more stealth'? Do they use a different design to handle better? Is there another reason the distinct…
Dan Sorensen
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56
votes
4 answers
How do seaplanes do run-up checks without brakes?
Usually on run-up you want to check the response of the motor when changing for example the carb-heat (if existent). At least we did so on my intro flight (yey!). To prevent us from rolling onto the active runway we (obviously) held the brakes.
Now…
geisterfurz007
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56
votes
3 answers
What's the advantage of the F4U Corsair's gull wing design?
What is the advantage of the F4U Corsair's gull wing design?
Is there also a disadvantage to this? The wing design just seems odd, and as far as I know it is one of the only planes to use this design.
Is this because the technology advanced so…
user8732
56
votes
3 answers
What does it mean for a door to be armed?
What does "arming a door" mean? Is the orange tape that's applied over a window related, perhaps as an indicator to people outside that the door is armed?
James Thorpe
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56
votes
12 answers
Why do airplanes lift up their nose to climb?
Is it right that basically an airplane just needs to accelerate to climb?
Greater velocity of an airplane leads to greater lift - and since its weight remains constant (or even decreases) - a greater lift leads to a gain in altitude without the need…
Chris
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55
votes
8 answers
Why don’t airplanes use turn signals?
Why don’t airplanes use turn signals like cars do? Would this improve safety for ground operations at uncontrolled airports? Could a similar concept be used to indicate in air maneuvers?
For example: a specific color could denote a right turn, a…
TayE
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55
votes
3 answers
What are the differences between Bearing vs Course vs Direction vs Heading vs Track?
This answer from English.SE does not focus on aviation, and does not explain 'Track'.
In basic, simple English, would you please compare and contrast all 5 terms in my question's title? The differences between 'course' vs 'heading' was generously…
user128