Almost 50 years ago, the first commercial supersonic jet was introduced into the world, revolutionizing air travel and opening a new chapter in the way people flew. Flying at 2 times the speed of sound and faster than the spin of the Earth, Concorde was a peak of innovation in aviation, and it allowed people to travel across the Atlantic Ocean in just 3 hours. Today, however, the time of flight for the same distance is double. In this sense, aviation seems to have taken a step backwards since the Concorde. If no level of innovation could match that of the Concorde, then why exactly was it retired?
Aviation History
For anything in this life, there is a beginning. For aviation the beginning is considered to be a […]
Last year, thousands of airline pilots were furloughed and suspended from their jobs due to the novel coronavirus. […]
Founded by a dozen of aircraft homebuilders in 1953, the Experimental Aircraft Association became one of the most […]
In this article, I will be explaining how airplanes stay in the air in the simplest way possible. By explaining how the four forces work. So, have you ever wondered how planes stay in the air? No, it’s not magic, it’s called aerodynamics.
With the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine and a possible end to this pandemic in 2021, is the […]
What are the frequencies that pilots depend on for voice communications and navigation? We have low frequency (LF), medium frequency (MF), high frequency (HF), and a very high frequency (VHF) bands. What is each one currently used for?
Flight schools around the world use various types of trainer aircraft. In this article I will mention few of the best aircraft for training. Flight schools choose their aircraft according to what suits their training and vision. Nonetheless, all trainer airplanes are designed specifically to assist with the flight training of pilots and aircrew. Private and Commercial pilots are usually trained in light aircraft, with two or more seats for the students and instructors. What are few of the best trainer airplanes out there?
This Monday evening, the nation of Saudi Arabia announced the reopening of its maritime borders and airspace with Qatar, normalizing the tensions between the two countries following a 3-year conflict. This is a major breakthrough and a huge step forward for the two countries. It is a significant event for the aviation industry in both countries, especially for Qatar airways.
‘Is that a UFO?’ or ‘That surely is not a plane!’ are the words coming out of almost everyone when the B-2 flew past them. Although the B-2 was not a UFO, it could disappear like one in a blink of an eye. A plane, so unmatched and different that people still do date are seen scratching their heads when they see one. US’s most formidable and mysterious of weapons is the sole best-known stealth aircraft in the world, capable of dropping both conventional and nuclear payloads.
Let’s just say it like it is, not everyone can be a pilot. It’s not easy, there are certain requirements not everyone possess. It’s nothing personal, for example, I can’t be a pharmacist or a lawyer? It makes sense, it’s too late, I’ve already made my “life” choice. Wait, why can’t I be a pharmacist? I can be a lawyer if I wanted to. It’ll take a lot of time and effort but if I’m passionate about it, I can easily do it. You know what? anyone can be a pilot. Still though, like any career choice in the world, there are a list of requirements you’d need to fill.
Google it, if you want. Write “What’s the safest mode of travel?”, you’ll instantly know that flying is the safest way. Some of you will think “that can’t be true”, while others will say “that makes sense”. The actual question is, “really? Prove it”. I will prove to you that despite the various ways to visit far away places, whether on the road or over the sea, the safest way to do it is flying.
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, the story of “the Ghost Blimp” was born.
Do you know what’s it like to fly without the assistance of Air Traffic Control (ATC)? If yes, then you must’ve flown in class G airspace, if the answer is no, this article will let you know what to expact.
This year, the airline industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been a tough year in aviation and many things have changed. One particularly interesting change that has occurred this year is the change in the food service of airlines. Food has been a key part of the flying experience, and this article will explore the ways the novel coronavirus has impacted this experience.
February 21st 2008, Santa Barbara Airlines flight 518 is preparing for a flight to Carcass from Alberto Carnevalli […]
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?
We’ve all heard various myths, misconceptions, and conspiracy theories regarding the Devil’s Triangle. Do you believe in any of them? Personally I’ve always thought that there must be a rational reason for everything. But what makes the thought of travelling over the Bermuda Triangle so terrifying?
In November 2003, Baghdad airport was the home to American troops in Iraq. The US Air force flew in daily to supply the troops and help at its best to help rebuild the country. Around and outside the airport are terrorists therefore Apache helicopters are deployed full time to check and eliminate any kind of threats.
Yes, that title is correct. Flying is safer than grocery shopping during this global pandemic. How could flying on a plane, the main cause for the spread of COVID-19, be safer than grocery shopping? It may seem unbelievable, but it’s true. Even the thought of flying during the pandemic may terrify many people, but rest assured, the risk of contracting COVID-19 on an aircraft is significantly lower than the risk of contracting the virus from simple daily activities such as shopping in a store or eating in a restaurant.
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, visibility should be at least 3 statute miles and distance from clouds should be 500ft below, 1000ft above, and 2000ft horizontal. So, what’s the difference between basic VFR and Special VFR? What makes it so special?
As much as we hate to admit there are certain airspaces we can’t fly over. Some are considered restricted while there are others even prohibited.What’s the difference? And what happens if a pilot decides to fly over a restricted area?
What’s the story behind the second deadliest aviation accident in the U.S.? The crash that ended the lives of 265 people and 2 dogs. How did it happen? And could it have been prevented?
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?
Seriously though, what is this?! The concept is stunning, and looks too good to be true. It’s called […]
Today (08/11/20) the last commercial flight will leave Berlin’s Tegel Airport (TXL) as Berlin’s new airport, Berlin Brandenburg (BER), is taking over as the Berlin’s sole hub.
“This is it, baby!” the last phrase said by the Captain of the Boeing 727 to Lindbergh tower just seconds before the catastrophe that claimed the lives of 144 people. What happened? How did it happen? And could it have been prevented?
I know what you’re thinking: Flying cars have a history? Do they even exist? At least that’s what I also thought, and it turns out it’s a long one. It starts in 1917 with Glenn Curtiss, who built the Curtiss autoplane, a combination between an automobile and an airplane, it was something unheard of back then. It looked like a car but with wings attached, so obviously, it never flew. It was only capable of making “short hops”. The good news is that it was the first stepping stone towards the exploration of the possibility of having flying cars in the future.
Instead of the normal-looking planes we have today, did you know that a forward-swept wing aircraft existed? The […]
People are weird, some of the things that they’ve done are just downright crazy. Who even thinks to do things like this? In this article I will write about the craziest things people have actually done on a plane and I highly suggest that the reader do not do them, no matter how tempted you might be.
Since the beginning of time, people have only dreamed about the idea of flying, thinking to themselves, will we ever know that feeling? Impossible. But it always goes down to one human being with a vision, with the idea that, yes, we can fly, let’s just start with a pair of wings, and he did.
Even the name sounds awesome, Supermarine Spitfire, no offence Boeing, you’re still my favorite aircraft, love you. Anyway, the amazing Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft, it was used by the Royal Air Force and the other Allied countries before, during, and after WWII. It’s extremely famous, I would be really surprised if you didn’t know about it, I personally found out about the aircraft a week ago. So let us learn more about this incredible aircraft that defeated the German air attacks during the battle of Britain together.
For anyone interested in flying, this article will help you gain broader understanding of the categories, class and […]
What is risk management? it is the vital process of making constructive and effective decisions. It includes two frequently-used tools: PAVE and the 5Ps. I chose to write, in detail, about the 5Ps checklist because I simply prefer it and feel it pays attention to the smallest detail. This checklist is crucial for the flight and that is why a pilot goes through it thoroughly. But why is it so important? Because it helps the pilot make fundamental and careful conclusions.
In the history of aviation, the goal to fly vertically was not far away from application. The world’s first practical vertical flight other than hot air balloons was accomplished by Igor Sikorsky who was the designer and the pilot for VS-300 helicopter. The design was using a single main rotor and single tail rotor.
Motion sickness, or airsickness, is actually very common at the beginning of flight training. What is airsickness? It occurs because of the opposition between the information we receive from our eyes and the information we receive from our vestibular from our inner ear, so between what we see and what we feel.
Pilots need to have great self-awareness; they need to understand what they’re capable of. Each flight is different, so while pilots do a thorough check of their aircraft, they must also evaluate their fitness for the flight. They must create a checklist to help them understand if whether or not they are prepared for that specific flight. They have checklists for everything and for this particular assessment they have the I’M SAFE checklist to fully understand their capabilities for flight.
If you want a quick answer, keep scrolling down untill you reach the final 2 paragraphs. But if you want to learn about the types of clouds as well, take it step by step.
It’s not easy being a pilot, one mistake and it’s game over. Studies have shown that certain attitudes can interfere with a pilot’s better judgment and they are called “hazardous” attitudes for a reason. What makes them a real issue is that sometimes these attitudes are part of someone’s personality and that is not something a person can easily shake off. That is why pilots are incredible people because not only do they study and train hard for their career, they also need to have great self-control and the ability to change major aspects of their personalities to become better pilots. So what are the 5 hazardous attitudes that if not addressed will make a bad pilot?
Again keep in mind that air transportation is the safest mode of travel. Now here’s a list of the Top 10 deadliest air disasters of all time listed in an article written by Patrick Smith.
We have all heard the phrase “we do not negotiate with terrorists”, which is the correct response in […]
Women have soared into the air since 1932, more specifically since Amelia Mary Earhart, the first female aviator […]
There is perhaps no other commercial airliner as iconic as the Boeing 747. A presence in our skies for over fifty years, it has transported millions of passengers across the world. Since its introduction with Pan American Airlines in 1970, it has persevered as one of the forerunners of commercial flight. Often labeled as the ‘Queen of the Skies’.
20 years ago, on the 25th of July 2000, an Air France Concorde thundered down 26R at Paris; Charles De Gaulle airport. However, what no one knew was that this flight would mark the beginning of the end of the supersonic aircraft.
Believe it or not, the world witnessed a flight between London and New York that took about three hours only! (Nowadays it takes about 8 hours to fly this flight) So how was that possible and what kind of airplane that was able to fly about 5,600 km (3,500 miles) in only 3 hours?! It was simply the “Concorde”!
