Christina, The Aviation Nerd 
The difference between a monocoque and semi-monocoque structure is the way in which they absorb and carry flight loads. A semi-monocoque structure is comprised of structural elements which “carry” the flight loads and stress on the structure of the aircraft. Monocoque structures consist of a design in which only the skin of the aircraft carries … Read more
In aviation terminology, there are a plethora of phrases which represent various terms across the industry. Two terms which may be encountered are “bingo” and “joker” fuel. These terms are regarded as informal and not recognised officially by authorities. These phrases are mostly associated with military aviation, in which they had their origins. However, the … Read more
From a phrase quoted in the 1980 comedy film Airplane, “What’s Our Vector, Victor?” refers to the captain of the aircraft requesting instructions from Air Traffic Control (ATC). Although the exact phrase “Vector, Victor” is a humorous attempt at alliteration in the film dialogue, there is an actual technical context to this phrase. Aviation phraseology … Read more
If you have ever read the financial breakdown of investments made by airports, it is apparent that a major portion of capital is spent on infrastructures such as runways and passenger terminals. These 2 pieces of infrastructure are typically the most expensive overheads for an airport on both initial and recurring investment basis. They are … Read more
For most aircraft owners, building and operating your own airstrip is typically not possible. However, you can build your own airstrip on the basis that you have sufficient land, finances, and that you comply with aviation authorities in your jurisdiction. In the United States, there are estimated to be 14,500 active private airstrips. These airstrips … Read more
There are various forms of navigation available to aircraft. These types of navigation can be based on the instruments displayed in the cockpit and/or by external sources such as visual references outside of the cockpit. Contact Flight Contact flight involves navigating the aircraft via Visual Flight Rules (VFR), using visual landmarks and reference points to … Read more
In aviation terminology, there are often various terms used to describe specific aspects of an aircraft’s details. These terms are important for reference and record keeping purposes, as they provide information about the aircraft to the relevant authorities or groups which require it. Two of the most specific terms associated to an aircraft are its … Read more
Perhaps the most conventional wing design used on early aircraft, the straight or rectangular wing design has many advantages aerodynamically. However, these advantages are also dependant on the type of aircraft. Being the airfoil of the aircraft, a rectangular wing design has many inherent characteristics which make it advantageous for specific forms of flight. The … Read more
With thousands in service worldwide, the Airbus A320 series is one of the most commercially successful narrowbody aircraft in aviation history. Designed for short to medium-haul routes, the aircraft type can be found predominantly operating continental routes in Europe, North America, and Asia. With a range of approximately 3,300 nautical miles, the Airbus A320 on … Read more
During adverse weather conditions in which there is fog, aircraft may be landing and approaching an airport in which there is minimal visibility with the runway. In modern commercial airliners, there is an Autoland feature that can be activated during low visibility, in which the aircraft effectively lands itself under the guidance of the autopilot. … Read more
With hectic flying schedules, you may often wonder if airplanes ever get downtime between flights. The fact in the matter is yes, they do. Although they may be flying back-to-back over that busy summer or ski season, airplanes have their downtime aswell. So, when and why? Why do Airplanes Require Downtime? Due to the strict … Read more
You may be wondering if the time of day affects the ability of aircraft to fly at the same altitudes in which they fly at during the day. Planes don’t fly lower at night; they have the same cruising altitudes as to what they fly at during the day. There is no safety reason for … Read more
