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1500 questions
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3 answers

Why would a helicopter climb in a spiral?

I was just watching the James May's Toy Stories Christmas Special Flight Club*, and in it he commented that the helicopter was making a spiral climb to 8,000'. Why would the pilot spiral, not just essentially go straight up? * An excellent series…
FreeMan
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Is the "Red two standing by" dialog in Star Wars: A New Hope sensible for real fighter pilots?

This SFF.SE question: " Why did Red Squadron give their call signs in random order? " raises a good point: for some reason, the "Standing by" responses Red Squadron pilots give before attacking the Death Star in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope are…
DVK
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Could someone really die in the way that Goose did in the movie "Top Gun"?

Looking at this question I remembered a question I always wanted to ask: In the movie "Top Gun" one of the main characters dies when trying to eject from the F-14. Here is the scene where this happens. Did an incident like this ever occur in real…
Maverick283
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What should you do when ATC gives you a number to call to discuss a violation?

Generally speaking, for those that either have experience calling the number, or, preferably, for those that were paid to answer the phone, what are the benefits or pitfalls of calling? I had a friend that climbed above his assigned altitude once…
Rhino Driver
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How do pilots stay disciplined and use checklists, even after they have become routine?

I originally asked the same question on Space Exploration but will repeat it also here: Before every takeoff and every landing, there are several routine checks which need to be done in order to provide the highest maximum safety to passengers. But…
Pavel Janicek
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Who should handle an emergency when there's both a certificated pilot and a CFI on board?

While practicing for my commercial certificate in a T-tail Piper Arrow IV, I put the gear down on downwind, and one green light didn't come on. In the right seat was a CFII/Multi, who had over 1,000 hours but less than 10 hours in Pipers, whereas I…
rbp
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Do fighter jet pilots ever use autopilot?

I know that military jets have autopilot, but do the pilots actually prefer to use it? I ask this question because, unlike civilian airplanes, military jets are more likely to come in a situation where the pilot may have to take quick decision and…
Registered User
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4 answers

What is the cable connected to a plane for?

I've seen that airplanes are connected to some wire like in the picture. What is it's name and what is it for?
ButterDog
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Do airline pilots really put on an oxygen mask when alone in the cockpit above 25,000 ft?

The FAA requires a pilot to put on the oxygen mask if the other pilot leaves cockpit when cruising above FL250. It also requires that one pilot always wears an oxygen mask when flying above FL410. Do airline pilots really do that and if so, do they…
Better not tell
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Why don't pilots always use autoland?

In aeroplanes that are equipped for autoland and landing at an airport with a working and adequate instrument landing system for the conditions, why would a pilot choose not to use autoland? If I had to guess, I'd say it's due to some of the…
Hugh
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Can someone identify this warplane silhouette?

I saw this picture today in a news article about the current conflict in Iraq/Syria. The caption claims it is a US warplane, but I don't recognise the silhouette. Can someone identify this plane?
aaronsnoswell
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What happens when an airplane gets struck by lightning?

I know that they certify airplanes for lightning strikes (at least some of them anyway), but does it cause any damage to the airplane or to the electronics? Are there any required inspections if an airplanes is struck by lightning?
Lnafziger
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When do we use IATA codes and when do we use ICAO codes?

I found on this website several questions speaking of IATA, ICAO and airports codes. The fact that two identification codes for the same airport exist means there are cases where you use one, and other cases where you use the other. I wonder what is…
Manu H
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Why does JetBlue have aircraft registered in Germany?

I recently saw a JetBlue A321 with a German flag on its tail and was wondering why it would be registered in Germany if it was a US-based carrier. I was thinking maybe it had something to do with Airbus but I wasn't 100% sure. Any…
Ja380
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Why does the Boeing 737 have 5 x the passenger fatalities of the Airbus 320?

I thought I'd compare the accident rates of these two similar, competing, very successful aircraft. 737 A320 Introduced 1968 1988 Number Built 8104 6171 Accidents/Incidents 329 60 Hull Loss…
RedGrittyBrick
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