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1500 questions
73
votes
10 answers
What happens when an airplane stalls and why do pilots practice it?
When a non-pilot hears the word stall, it brings to mind what happens when a car stalls - the engine quits. It seems like that would be a dangerous scenario in an airplane.
From a non-pilot perspective, what happens when an airplane stalls and why…
Magnetoz
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73
votes
3 answers
Why does Chicago O'Hare have a penalty box?
I was reading What information does a pilot have about aircraft operating on an intersecting runway? and noticed this on the map:
(airnav.com)
Why is a "penalty box" marked on the map? What is it? What is it used for?
user14
72
votes
6 answers
Why are fuel tanks in the wings filled first, and why are they used last?
When fueling airliners, why is fuel filled first in the tanks in the wings and then the center tanks? And why do they use fuel from the center tanks first and then from the tanks in the wings?
From my research I've found the purpose is not to give…
lemonincider
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72
votes
4 answers
Why do all commercial aircraft have carpets?
When flying I noticed that all the commercial aircraft I have been on use carpets as a floor covering. But why? If you fly in an older aircraft it looks worn out and it is susceptible to stains etc. Why do they not use one of the hard flooring…
Brilsmurfffje
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71
votes
11 answers
Why don't commercial jet aircraft have a break-apart, parachute escape system?
Imagine that the pilots on a jet aircraft determine that it will crash. Consider what would happen if the design of the craft allowed it to:
Break into four pieces
Each piece is pressurized independently
Each piece is attached to large parachutes,…
Corey
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71
votes
15 answers
Why don't commercial airplanes carry Earth-observing instruments?
Governments and private companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars to send Earth-observing satellites to capture imagery or scan the terrain with lasers or radars.
Meanwhile, commercial planes are constantly flying around the world, and even if…
Camilo Rada
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71
votes
6 answers
What happens if a language other than English is used over the radio?
In many non-English speaking countries, communication with ATC may be conducted either in English or the native language. Famous examples are China, Russia, France and possibly Germany.
When a pilot who is a non-speaker of the native language hears…
vasin1987
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71
votes
8 answers
Why are military drones shaped so strangely?
Military drones, such as the Predator drone or the Global Hawk, tend to have a weird shape with a whale-like head, and engines concentrated at the back. The wings tend to be of very high aspect ratio, and v-shaped tails seem to be popular:
Why…
ithisa
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71
votes
6 answers
Why do jet engines use kerosene rather than gasoline?
Could you run a jet with gasoline? Why do all jet engines use kerosene?
yippy_yay
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71
votes
3 answers
Are we at peak speed efficiency for jet airliners at Mach 0.85?
The cruising speed of large jet airliners has not increased in the past four decades. The 747 cruised at Mach 0.85 and the new Dreamliner 787 also cruises at Mach 0.85 even though it was designed 40 years later (1969->2009) and uses advanced,…
RoboKaren
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70
votes
3 answers
Why would seaplanes use a curved takeoff run?
I came across this interesting factoid in another SE Aviation answer (How flat does a runway need to be?):
seaplanes often use a curved takeoff run.
I'm trying to imagine why but cannot come up with a good reason.
Does anyone know why?
curious_cat
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69
votes
3 answers
Is this XKCD comic list about autogyro features accurate?
I recently came across this XKCD comic which gives you a number of facts about autogyros:
Image is copyright XKCD, licensed under CC 2.5 BY-NC
I'm not sure if this is satirical or really drawing attention to some very odd real-world facts, or a mix…
AJFaraday
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69
votes
14 answers
Why are commercial flights not equipped with parachutes for the passengers?
I understand that commercial flights are equipped with life vests. I also understand that most military jets are equipped with ejection seats. It may be costly and technically challenging to equip passenger planes with ejection seats. Having seen…
Question Overflow
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69
votes
10 answers
Why do jet engines get better fuel efficiency at high altitudes?
I'm told that this is true, but I can't imagine why. It seems like the fact that there is less air would make the engines less efficient... But that probably just shows how little I know about jet engines.
Jae Carr
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69
votes
2 answers
Are the instrument panels in the cockpit spill / waterproof?
There are multiple switches and buttons in the cockpit, with different shapes and layouts. Are they spill proof?
What if the pilot spills water or coffee on them, will they still function?
Firee
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