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1500 questions
23
votes
1 answer
How does exceeding the critical Mach number of an aircraft affect its operation?
If an aircraft exceeds its critical Mach number, does it affect the way the aircraft is handled? Are there any significant changes to performance or the safety of the aircraft when above this speed? What actually happens to the aircraft in the first…
Qantas 94 Heavy
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23
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3 answers
Why is "dragging it in" considered bad in small aircraft, but fine in larger aircraft?
In larger aircraft, shallow, high-power approaches are performed as a matter of routine, but in light aircraft it seems to be frowned upon, especially in clear weather and smooth fields. Why is "dragging it in" considered bad in small aircraft?
Qantas 94 Heavy
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23
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2 answers
What is the weight saving of windowless fuselage for cargo aircraft?
What is the weight saving of a windowless fuselage for cargo aircraft?
Does anyone have a rough estimation?
mezzanaccio
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23
votes
4 answers
Is a pilot allowed to sleep during a flight?
While in a flight, a pilot wants to sleep. Given that the aircraft has an autopilot facility, are they allowed to sleep for a while (e.g., half an hour)?
What would happen if it's not allowed, but they still did it? Would air traffic controllers…
Hemang
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23
votes
8 answers
How do pilots see at night if airplanes don't have front lights?
How can pilots identify threats ahead of them if they don't have front lights like cars?
User
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23
votes
8 answers
Where is the safest seat in the plane?
If I'm going on holiday with my family on an airliner such as one of the ones listed on this page, then where is the safest place to sit?
The answers to this question seem to imply that the seats at the rear of the plane would be safer:
Why are…
A E
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23
votes
2 answers
During night flying, which color lens for a flashlight is most beneficial?
I went on a night flight tonight after not flying for a few months. I didn't have any monochrome lights, so I actually just covered a flashlight of mine with red athletic tape (which acted as a filter really well).
I know that using monochrome is…
Keegan
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23
votes
5 answers
Are there any aircraft with a nose wheel braking system?
I'm pretty sure that there are no aircraft equipped with a brake on its nose wheel, however two of my colleagues think there might have been. Are there?
Aircraft with retractable gear of course have devices to stop the wheels from spinning when…
Falk
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23
votes
1 answer
Does a carbon fiber fuselage suffer wear from pressurization/depressurization?
I've heard many times that one of the factors that causes wear and tear to the fuselage of airliners is the pressurization and depressurization from each flight.
From what I recall these were referring to aluminum fuselages.
Does this also apply to…
Gabe
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22
votes
3 answers
Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes?
Would it be likely to be seen as odd or suspicious for someone who is not a pilot to stand outside the fence around a GA airport in the US watching the aircraft?
Someone
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22
votes
1 answer
Why was the nose gear of Concorde located so far aft?
Was this because of the drooping nose preventing it from being placed anywhere further up?
Boeing787
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22
votes
5 answers
What U-2 design challenges are still challenging?
The Lockheed U-2 was first introduced in the mid-1950s, close to the dawn of the jet age. It seems reasonable to think that the technology required to design and build it then is rudimentary by modern standards, and, as a result, has become far more…
Kenn Sebesta
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22
votes
1 answer
Why doesn't this 767 nose paint line up with the rest of the paint?
Looking at this Boeing 767 you'll notice that the nose paint is not lined up with the rest of the paint. But the same model with the same paint scheme on the second image is fine. What is the reason for this?
Boeing787
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22
votes
2 answers
Orange object on back of jet-engine pylons, what is it?
Watching this Video of a L-1011, I noticed an orange/brown object on the back of the jet-engine pylons I never saw before.
What is it?
What's the purpose of it?
TesterMen Tester
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22
votes
5 answers
How can citizens assist at an aircraft crash site?
In the event of an accident like that of Yeti Airlines flight 691 in Pokhara, Nepal (where the crash happened outside of the airport), what and how can those who arrive at the crash site first help?
Is there a standard procedure to follow when the…
Regmi
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