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
It would be hard to picture the typical passenger airliner flying without its wings. But is it possible? For most aircraft designed, it would be impossible for them to fly without wings. Wings provide lift and directional stability to the aircraft. They are also attached to key aircraft components such as engines, hydraulic lines, and … Read more
Back in the mid-2000s, Boeing unveiled the latest aircraft developments for the future of its long-haul aircraft. The Boeing 787 project was announced, a new wide-body long-haul airliner that aimed to provide ultimate passenger comfort while providing airlines with a quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft. The aircraft type intended to replace the aging Boeing 767 and … Read more
Airplanes can slow down or brake in the air by increasing drag. Drag is defined as the force which acts to oppose an aircraft traveling through the air. As aircraft are designed to be streamlined and aerodynamic as possible, devices are needed to slow the aircraft down when required. How do Airplanes Brake Mid-Air? These … Read more
Like any piece of machinery, commercial aircraft reach a stage in which they need to be replaced by younger, more efficient aircraft. The exact age in which an aircraft is retired varies however it is normal for an aircraft to fly for 25-30 years. However, there are outliers to this statistic. Why do Planes get … Read more
Planes count as public transport if they are operated by an airline that carries fare-paying passengers. However, there are other forms of transport carried out by an aircraft which would not be classed as public transport. How are Planes Defined as Public Transport? As mentioned already, planes typically are categorized under public transport if members … Read more
Passenger planes can transport cars in the cargo hold (the section of the aircraft located below the cabin). Dedicated cargo aircraft can carry cars and even larger vehicles on their main decks, due to the larger amount of cargo capacity available. Is it Hard to Transport a Car on a Plane? Although it’s entirely possible … Read more
An aircraft control check is an essential safety check carried out by the pilots of an aircraft. A control check (also known as a flight control check) involves moving the control column of the aircraft in all possible directions to ensure proper functionality. If flight control surfaces are visible from the cockpit, pilots can look … Read more
