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1500 questions
31
votes
2 answers
What is the significance of 104% for throttle power and rotor speed?
I noticed this initially when learning to fly Robinson Helicopters but fail to remember the reason my instructor gave me; this again came up when watching a video about the ISS.
In helicopters (Robinson R22/44), the main rotor typically operates at…
Matt Clark
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31
votes
6 answers
Why is the UH-60 tail rotor canted?
The Sikorsky UH-60 (S-70) has a tail rotor that is canted 20 degrees upwards. Why is that?
Picture source
Koyovis
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31
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2 answers
Has a commercial or military jet bi-plane ever been manufactured?
Are there any, or have there ever been any commercial/military jet bi-planes?
What would be some of the major advantages vs disadvantages if one was built?
Electric radio controlled ducted fan model.
University of Tokyo concept model.
jwzumwalt
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31
votes
3 answers
What is the immediate cause of stall?
The direct cause of stall is unclear to me.
I heard about exceeding maximum angle of attack (around 40°) ;
I heard about reaching the stall speed in the current configuration (flaps, etc).
I heard about load factor which can lead to a stall.
Are…
Fox
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31
votes
4 answers
What are the steep ramps often erected at large airports?
For example, the following white and orange striped ramp:
I've seen these at a couple large airports but I've never seen them actually used for anything.
Billy ONeal
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31
votes
5 answers
Why didn’t the Captain of Cathay Pacific flight 780 shut down engine 1 and land with a more reasonable speed?
In the approach phase, engine 1 of Cathay Pacific flight 780 got stuck at about 70% N1 and it forced the crew to do an overspeed landing (230knots).
Why didn't they shut it off by turning the fuel pumps off? Is there a backup mechanism if the fuel…
xMooo
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31
votes
1 answer
Why do cockpit windows often appear to have a rainbow ‘tint’?
Why do cockpit windows often appear to have a rainbow ‘tint’? It’s similar to what you would see when looking at a shallow puddle of water with oil on top. Here is an example of a B777 cockpit window with the same rainbow effect:
TayE
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31
votes
1 answer
Can the emergency slide be re-used after it has been deployed?
Can the emergency slides be re-used and re-packed after they have been deployed, assuming no damage is done?
For example, I heard of a case where the slide was accidentally deployed due to opening of the main door when it was "armed". This resulted…
kevin
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31
votes
1 answer
Has anyone considered filling aircraft voids with helium to reduce the risk of fire?
Watching air crash investigations, and aware of problems with batteries, the issue of fire and sparking is recurrent. As a noble gas, pure helium would not burn, and if I understand correctly would reduce though not necessarily eliminate…
Julian Bradley
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31
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3 answers
Is it safe to roll an airplane that isn't approved for it?
I have heard of pilots rolling airplanes that aren't approved for it (Cessna 172, Learjets, etc.), and other than the obvious legal issues, are there any mechanical or safety reasons to avoid it?
DISCLAIMER
I do not advocate doing anything (like…
Lnafziger
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31
votes
3 answers
Why was a flight delayed because of a bird in the cockpit?
This Washington Post article is about a Delta Airlines flight that took off after an initial delay, before turning back again shortly after, because of a bird that managed to stowaway in the cockpit.
My questions,
Would it be dangerous having the…
Fattie
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31
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6 answers
How thick is the skin of an aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing B777?
We can evaluate how thick walls are by looking at door or window frames, however that isn't representative of an aircraft fuselage, which appears to be very thin:
Airbus A350 XWB forward fuselage, source
How thick (thin!) is the fuselage?
Do some…
mins
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31
votes
2 answers
What are these 4 red spots on the A-10?
What are these 4 spots on the wings and fuselage of the A-10? I can't seem to find a closer shot of their wings but each spot looks like a small target with a dot and an outer circle, mostly in red, but some are in black.
Nguyễn Tuấn Danh
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31
votes
1 answer
Can a pilot change out of uniform during breaks on a long flight?
How long is a pilot-in-command's break on ultra-, or long haul flights? Would they be required to keep the uniform on, or would they have the freedom to change out of uniform?
Related: How do pilots rest on long-haul flights?
s.baxter
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31
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5 answers
Do airline pilots use this high-speed, high-drag technique for losing altitude?
This question and another more recent one got me thinking about this.
Years ago on my MEII checkride the DPE showed me a technique for losing altitude on final when the aircraft was high. Typically, I would reduce power, increase drag (flaps,…
Devil07
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