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1500 questions
69
votes
4 answers
Why does the Boeing 787 engine nacelle exhaust have such an unusual shape?
Why does the Boeing 787 nacelle have this unique shape at the exhaust:
I haven't seen it on any other airplanes, does it serve an aerodynamic purpose or help engine efficiency or is it just to look pretty?
Lnafziger
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68
votes
6 answers
How do people suffering from hypoxia not realize they aren't getting enough oxygen?
I've seen reports of flight passengers/crew suffering hypoxia, and many times without knowing it.
My question is, how could you not be aware of it? For example, at above 10000ft, if your body is suffering from a lack of oxygen, doesn't it make you…
Matt
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67
votes
5 answers
What determines the maximum altitude a plane can reach?
What factors determine the maximum altitude for a plane?
Is it limited by wing design, engine thrust, and so on?
Is there a formula by which one can calculate the maximum altitude a plane can reach?
Vido
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67
votes
10 answers
Why are there no "sleeper" planes?
On a recent long-haul flight I sat by the windows and was dreaming away staring into infinity out of the window. Then a thought came up, in Asia sleeping busses are very common. This made me think, why are there no dedicated sleeper planes?…
Brilsmurfffje
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67
votes
12 answers
How do wings generate lift?
Just the basic question that every aviation enthusiast must be curious about: exactly how does a wing generate lift?
Jae Carr
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67
votes
9 answers
Why does the US President fly in an obsolete 747-200?
The Boeing VC-25A ("Air Force One") is a heavily modified 747-200. The two current airframes (SAM 28000 and 29000) were put into duty in 1990 and are slated to be replaced in 2017, although I suspect that latter date is optimistic.
These two…
RoboKaren
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66
votes
7 answers
Why does it feel like a plane accelerates just before touching down?
On commercial flights it often feels like the plane gets faster just before touching down. What creates that sensation?
Eliot G York
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66
votes
2 answers
What is this odd aircraft?
What is this aircraft? It was parked at transient parking at the Southern California Logistics Airport. It is a pusher prop driven plane with a conventional tail. High aspect ratio un-swept wings. Odd shaped fuselage. Any ideas?
N. Brown
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66
votes
3 answers
How are brakes cooled on heavy aircraft?
As kinetic energy is not stored or recycled, large quantities of heat have to be evacuated in a short period of time when aircraft abort their takeoff or land:
B777 brake test, Youtube
Which approximate quantity of energy is transferred to the…
mins
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66
votes
14 answers
Has there ever been a plane not controlled from the nose?
Has there ever been an airplane where the pilot, or cockpit were not located near the nose of the airplane?
Sargun Dhillon
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65
votes
1 answer
Why are Gatwick's runways too close together?
Gatwick Airport has two runways (08L/26R and 08R/26L), but they are only 200 metres apart - too close (by just ten metres) to allow simultaneous operations on both runways. As a result, usually only 08R/26L (the older, more southerly, and slightly…
Vikki
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65
votes
2 answers
Why isn't the Presidential 747 "Air Force One Heavy"?
Aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of at least 300,000 pounds add the word "Heavy" to their callsign. (Example: Lufthansa 415 Heavy in this video.) The current Presidential 747's have a maximum takeoff weight of 833,000 pounds. Yet, it flies…
Ralph J
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65
votes
3 answers
Do any airplanes really have this piece Tom Cruise is hanging onto in this movie?
The piece Tom Cruise is holding onto on this moving plane seems useless as a component, maybe even inductive of drag. Is this a real airplane component, or just a film prop?
I don't know the model of the airplane; I'm hoping maybe the shape is…
J.Todd
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65
votes
5 answers
How dangerous is flying in a single-engine plane?
Some people consider flying small planes very dangerous. Just how dangerous is it to fly in a light single-engine plane? For example, how does the fatality rate compare to driving a car, riding a motorcycle, etc.?
xpda
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64
votes
1 answer
What are the advantages of a Spinning Wing (Magnus Effect) and why haven't any been commercially produced?
What were the advantages and why was it never produced?
TesterMen Tester
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