Also known as emergency ballistic reserve parachute, a parachute system within the aircraft systems. And here comes the question: Do all the aircraft have a parachute in their systems? Well, the answer is no. Do not confuse it with a drogue parachute designed to decrease the speed of the object or aircraft in the landing stage. WeContinue reading “Ballistic Aircraft Parachute”
Tag Archives: Aerospace
What Does Airworthiness Mean?
A word that gathers a lot of conditions that an aircraft must meet. An official definition does not exist. However, the aviation and aeronautical regulations states the minimum requirements for which the aircraft is deemed to be airworthy and this is also showed under a Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA). You may think of the minimumContinue reading “What Does Airworthiness Mean?”
United Airlines Plans To Bring Back Supersonic Air Travel By 2029
United Airlines has announced a firm order of 15 “Overture” jets from Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic, with an option for 35 more, contingent upon the new airliner meeting United’s safety, operating and sustainability requirements. Specifications The new supersonic jet by Boom Supersonic, dubbed Overture, promises the following: Passenger capacity: 65 – 88 Length: 205Continue reading “United Airlines Plans To Bring Back Supersonic Air Travel By 2029”
Aerospace Medicine
Have you ever wondered about the possibility of suffering trauma or a pathology while flying? Almost everyone has experienced emotional sensations and behavior not very normal when flying by plane at some point whether on take-off or landing. You probably have felt or faced this. Imagine the sensations while flying in helicopters, racing aircraft orContinue reading “Aerospace Medicine”
Convertiplane
As the name stands for a plane that converts, but exactly in what? First of all, the plane needs to take off vertically and landing as well, so it is VTOL (Vertical take-off and landing), specifically using a rotor, and in a normal regime fly like a fixed-wing aircraft. This is a definition from theContinue reading “Convertiplane”
Critical Mach Number
When talking about Mach, it is pretty common to relate it with supersonic aircraft, but not always. This number of airflow velocity helps to determine the limits of the aircraft performance in terms of maximum airspeed. The critical Mach number (Mcr) is the lowest Mach number of the plane in which the speed of soundContinue reading “Critical Mach Number”
The Saturn V: A Rocket 15 Times Faster Than A Rifle Bullet
Rockets are arguably the greatest engineering feat accomplished by man. The capabilities of these machines are unmatched and nothing like any other machine. Such a machine is the Saturn V (5), the most powerful rocket ever flown. The Saturn V rocket is the most complicated piece of engineering ever created. It was used by NASAContinue reading “The Saturn V: A Rocket 15 Times Faster Than A Rifle Bullet”
About the Largest Aircraft Carrier; the “Stratolaunch”
It is undoubtedly the largest aircraft in the world, working as a multi-tasking platform for research and commercial activities in aerospace. This plane allows the customers to launch their aerial projects in the hypersonic field. The design of the stratolaunch comprises a dual-fuselage and high-wing configuration in such a way releasing the payload from theContinue reading “About the Largest Aircraft Carrier; the “Stratolaunch””
Airspace and its types of classification
Airspace Airspace is a portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory, including its territorial waters or, more generally, any specific three-dimensional portion of the atmosphere. This is not to be confused with the term ”Aerospace”, which is the general term for Earth’s atmosphere and the outer space in its vicinity. ATS airspace is classifiedContinue reading “Airspace and its types of classification”
The Different Rotors (Helicopter)
The helicopter as an aircraft is not as simple as it seems, the unique flight features make the helicopter a feat of flight science. It is not just making it fly, it is making it controllable and safe. Well, this machine has a rotor system that was practically an engineering miracle. When rotating the blades,Continue reading “The Different Rotors (Helicopter)”
Wing Strakes
It is considered as another way to produce lift, and if this is attached to the wing then it is called a leading-edge extension. But, why put an extension on the wing? What kind of benefits does it bring to the plane? The leading edge extension creates vortices in a controlled way. It improves theContinue reading “Wing Strakes”
Fuel Servicing of Aircraft
Many of us have seen tanker trucks around when the aircraft is on the ground and think about the type of supply they are loading on the plane. Fueling servicing is only one part of Aircraft ground handling when the plane is at the terminal gate of the airport. The fuel servicing may be performedContinue reading “Fuel Servicing of Aircraft”
Avelo Airlines: The New U.S. Carrier To Enter The Market
From its base at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Avelo plans to start service on April 28 to underserved or secondary airports in the West using leased Boeing 737-800s. Tickets are now on sale at aveloair.com. Purpose & Aim Avelo has a simple purpose — to inspire travel. “People are ready to reconnect with family andContinue reading “Avelo Airlines: The New U.S. Carrier To Enter The Market”
Nemeth Parasol
An unusual prototype with circular wing in parasol configuration, built in 1934 became a successful STOL airplane, making the way to circular wing aircraft such as the Flying Pancake the AvroCar among others. Using a fuselage from an Alliance Argo biplane and powered by a 90 hp Lambert engine. The media at that moment wroteContinue reading “Nemeth Parasol”
What’s behind the Murphy’s Law?
Everyone has ever heard about the Murphy’s Law or probably is familiar to people who has mentioned it. And everyone knows that this law is neither positive nor optimistic. In fact, the law says something that at first glance gives you some pessimism. The Murphy´s Law states “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong”.Continue reading “What’s behind the Murphy’s Law?”
Gliding flight in a helicopter?
Many of us know about the gliding capacity of airplanes, the fixed-wing aircraft can glide without the engine power until landing safely with appropriate conditions and well aerodynamic airplane performance. However, how do the helicopters overcome the lack of engine power in mid-flight? That is somewhat disturbing to know that there is an engine failure.Continue reading “Gliding flight in a helicopter?”
The Functioning of PAPI Lights
At night, you might notice many lights on the tarmac of an airport. All of them have a specific function to help guide traffic on ground and/or in the air. The PAPI lights are one of these lights. What are PAPI lights? No, PAPI is not only a term in parenting; it is also aContinue reading “The Functioning of PAPI Lights”
Wings: Until They Break
The wings are the most relevant parts of an airplane. They maintain the flight by the reaction forces against the air. Now, talking about the wing as a structural part of a plane, this is taken to the limit. Civil structures are tested, the aerospace structures are subject to dynamic and static forces, sometimes, untilContinue reading “Wings: Until They Break”
NACA
Have you ever wondered about the beginning of one of the most important aeronautical research institution? NACA, stands for: “National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics”, it’s an agency founded on March 3, 1915 in the United States to prioritize aeronautics during World War I. As we may know Wilbur and Orville Wright have studied aviation inContinue reading “NACA”
What’s Behind A320-xxx Model Designation?
The Airbus A320 family has undoubtedly a wide range of members, visible at any airport. Some of us can see an Airbus and easily identify it whether it’s an A320, A321 or A318. They have their differences, in the structure, size, and of course, the performance. But what if you see an A320, the variantContinue reading “What’s Behind A320-xxx Model Designation?”
ATA 100 (Aeronautical Maintenance Documentation)
As known, ATA stands for “Air Transport Association”, an American organization. But when talking about it now, ATA 100 refers to a methodology of reference for numbering the aircraft documentation. Allowing the ease of understanding the procedures and topics of a specific item or part of the aircraft. Within the aviation field, this numbering systemContinue reading “ATA 100 (Aeronautical Maintenance Documentation)”
Airborne Observatory
It seems an airplane to observe, that is the name and the meaning. But all the aircraft seem to work under the same? Recognizance, spy or aerial surveying aircraft for mapping, they work in different scenarios and have different instruments to carry out the required task. An observatory as known is a location to observe,Continue reading “Airborne Observatory”
Convair Sea Dart (The only supersonic seaplane)
Navy Strategy, the need of a supersonic interceptor plane in time when Jet engines were not as advanced as now. The need of an aircraft that could take off from the sea or a floating deck. There were many options and ideas that came up, planes powered with propellers were still being used in aircraftContinue reading “Convair Sea Dart (The only supersonic seaplane)”
The Satellite That Started the Space Race
Right now, satellites surround our planet, nearly 6,000, circle the earth, with huge constellations and different features. Even some of unknown functions. However, these objects have improved the quality and technology in home as we may notice. We would not be surprised that Newton devised the idea because of the universal gravity force, and hisContinue reading “The Satellite That Started the Space Race”
V bombers
The United kingdom´s strategic nuclear strike force, officially known as the V-force or Bomber Command Main Force was formed by the Royal Air Force, during the 1950s and 1960s. They used the three aircraft that represented the V`s. The Vickers Valiant, Avro Vulcan and Handley Page Victor, one aircraft with a striking shape. These aircraftContinue reading “V bombers”
Flying Saucer “Avrocar”
A flying saucer made for the U.S. military, devised in the Cold War (period 1958-1959) by Canadian Scientists, was a completely top secret project. Avro Canada, a Canadian aircraft manufacturing company, designed and built two prototypes of this aircraft, under the funding of the U.S. military that believed on an “alien” looking plane. At thoseContinue reading “Flying Saucer “Avrocar””
The first woman to Fly the U-2 spy plane
Colonel Merryl Tengesdal, born in the Bronx, New York, in 1971 was the first and only African American woman to fly the United States Air Force’s U-2 spy plane, the unique and famous aircraft used to spy and reconnaissance flown in the Cold War over the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, and Cuba. Merryl overcame andContinue reading “The first woman to Fly the U-2 spy plane”
The Flying Pancake
A weirdly shaped, not very aesthetic plane that looks like a saucer that can never fly. This is the Vought V-173, an American prototype with a circular airfoil with large-diameter propellers on the wingtips.
P-750 XSTOL
An aircraft model that with its capabilities and performance, could surprise us, The P-750 XSTOL. A not so widely known aircraft, such as cessna´s or piper´s. However, this plane has many things to offer because of its multi-disciplinary roles, applications and variants whether it is freighter, passengers, Spraying, Fire Fighting, and skydive operations.
Weightless route flight
The earth is always pulling us to its centre with its gravity, a force to which all bodies on the planet are subjected to. In the beginning of the space program of United States, reduced gravity was an important matter on the general body behavior, making this study as a key on space exploration andContinue reading “Weightless route flight”
The first high speed frontier.
260 years of unsolved and unknown regime of high speed dynamics of gases were broken with the significant flight of the Bell X-1 research vehicle installed under the B-29 bomber of World War II vintage, on October 14, 1947 in the Mojave Desert in California.
Do You Know the Story of “the Ghost Blimp”?
The story of the two US Navy pilots, Lt. Cody and Ensign Adams, who disappeared into thin air. After 78 years, what happened to these men remains a mystery. There were various theories and suggestions about how the scene was played in the blimp, but nonetheless, remained theories and suggestions since nothing was confirmed. Thus,Continue reading “Do You Know the Story of “the Ghost Blimp”?”
Flight on another planet (MARS)
Flights within the earth are possible taking into account our atmosphere composed of air. But when talking about flying through outer space or even an almost non-existent atmosphere or one that is composed of other gases like the planets in our solar system, propulsion methods and flight dynamics of the vehicles will be significantly affected.
The anniversary of the dream of world flight
A normal day like today, 14 december, 1986, the Voyager aircraft departed from Edwards Air Force Base in the Southern California using approximately 4.3 km of runway and a huge amount of fuel to fulfill the world record endurance without re-fueling and go around the world. Setting a world record that remains today it isContinue reading “The anniversary of the dream of world flight”
What Is the Sky Divided Into?
The sky is more complicated than you’ve ever thought. To a normal person, when they look up, all they see is the clear blue sky. But pilots, on the other hand, manage a complex ‘invisible infrastructure’ that allows them to operate safely in the sky. What are they?
One engine rule (ETOPS)
We all wonder how a plane could fly if an engine fails, but it is more worrying if it is in the middle of miles and miles of ocean before finding a place to land safely. These same concerns were expressed by aircraft manufacturers and operators when they wanted their aircraft to cross the oceansContinue reading “One engine rule (ETOPS)”
The flight that lasts one minute
It only takes 1 and half minute in air or even less, and definitely you spend more time buying the ticket or fasten your seat belt. This is the flight between two close islands in Scotland’s Highlands and islands, exactly the Orkney Islands of Westray and Papa Westray.
Different condensation scenarios
Many of us have seen smoke, gases or fumes in the sky and it is pretty common to see large trail intersections like clouds. While flying, each aircraft can experience condensation in different ways, but each is produced by conditions ranging from altitude to temperature.
When fighter pilots need to use the bathroom
As we all usually know that fighter pilots work in a cramped cockpit and modern fighters do not have more person space. The developers of modern fighter jets such as the F-16 and the F-35 made the cockpit extremely small and the average height of design is around 5’10 to 6’2 and 210 pounds .
Can You Request a SVFR?
We already know what VFR stands for, visual flight rules, but what is Special VFR? First, let’s recap, visual flight rules (VFR) is a set of rules under which a pilot operates an aircraft in generally fair weather where the pilot can clearly see where the plane is going. Generally, the basic VFR minimums are,Continue reading “Can You Request a SVFR?”
The new prototype Irkut MC-21-310
By the beginning of November this year the first prototype of the MC-21-310 was completed and equipped with Russian engines PD-14. The introduction to the first flight will come true soon, relying on the multiple tests carried out, and the aircraft is in the final line of the assembly waiting for the flight tests thatContinue reading “The new prototype Irkut MC-21-310”
It is not just a duct tape
A duct tape strip, nothing aesthetic or of quality image on a plane. Some people have noticed this tapes on their flights causing astonishment and at first glance it seems that the tape is joining paper parts, not giving confidence. People were wondering if this is a good practice, especially if we talk about somethingContinue reading “It is not just a duct tape”
How planes became spaceplanes
After the first manned flight of the Wright brothers, it did not take more than 20 years to consider space flight, with the concepts and dreams of two men interested in reaching outer space. Herman Oberth, one of the founding fathers of rocketry and astronautics, and Wernher von Braun, his student, later known for helping Germany’s RocketContinue reading “How planes became spaceplanes”
Learn about VFR and IFR Flying
When flying you’ve got two rules and it’s up to you to choose depending on your training and rating. You have VFR and IFR. What’s difference? Why is this relevant? What are your restrictions?
What is this Aircraft?
Seriously though, what is this?! The concept is stunning, and looks too good to be true. It’s called the “Sky Whale” and I can see why, it is gigantic. Honestly, before even getting into it, the plane’s design is impressive, and more importantly, it highly focuses on safety. What is so special about this aircraft?Continue reading “What is this Aircraft?”
The Military version of an Antonov Airliner (The An-12)
Some airliners turn into military aircraft as well. This is the An-12 “Cub”, a military aircraft that had a version of a passenger airplane in the Soviet Union. Constructed simultaneously with the An-10 “the airliner” but with structural differences to allow military operations, one of them is a defensive tail gun. This airplane was DesignedContinue reading “The Military version of an Antonov Airliner (The An-12)”
Aviation for Aviators 