Gliders are planes without an engine. They have four forces acting on them – lift, weight (gravity), drag and thrust. Although gliders do not have their own power to provide thrust, the weight of the glider produces the thrust to keep it moving through the air by flying downwards at a shallow angle of descent.Continue reading “How Do Gliders Fly?”
Tag Archives: aviator
What Factors Can Prevent You from Becoming a Pilot?
Becoming a commercial pilot is an exciting opportunity for many people who find joy in flying. While nearly anyone can get a drivers’ license, a commercial pilot license has some strict stipulations. From health concerns to random drug tests, here is a list of just some things that might prevent you from becoming a commercialContinue reading “What Factors Can Prevent You from Becoming a Pilot?”
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”
The Purpose Of Jet Engine Spirals
You may have noticed those spinning white spirals in a jet engine at one point or another. But have you ever stopped to think about why they’re there? As cute and as comical as they look, those spirals on the spinner cones are more than just for aesthetics – they are an important safety measureContinue reading “The Purpose Of Jet Engine Spirals”
Oxygen Supplies Aboard Modern Aircraft
If a sudden decompression were to happen inflight, each passenger and crew member would have their own oxygen supply. We will take a look at the systems installed for both the passengers and flight crew! Passenger’s Oxygen Supply & Canister The passenger’s oxygen supply is delivered via the overhead compartment where the oxygen-producing canisters areContinue reading “Oxygen Supplies Aboard Modern Aircraft”
What Are Those Small Holes On Airplane Windows?
If you’ve ever been in an airplane, you might’ve noticed that there’s a small hole in the bottom of your window. If you haven’t noticed it before, look for it next time; it’s on every plane. If you have noticed it before, you might have wondered whether it should be there and whether it wasContinue reading “What Are Those Small Holes On Airplane Windows?”
The Experimental Aircraft Association
Founded by a dozen of aircraft homebuilders in 1953, the Experimental Aircraft Association became one of the most important forces in general aviation. It’s based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. Since it’s foundation, EAA has become increasingly internationally known with over 200,000 members and nearly 1,000 chapters worldwide, and it’s been established that the EAA hostsContinue reading “The Experimental Aircraft Association”
What are the Types of Drag?
First of all, what is Drag? Drag is the force that resists movement of of an aircraft through the air. It slows the aircraft in flight by limiting the forward speed of the airplane. There are two main types of drag: parasite drag and induced drag.
The Ultimate Airbus which Failed to Deliver
The pinnacle of excellence, and an eye-catcher; the Airbus A380 is truly a marvel. When Singapore Airlines took the A380 for its first commercial flight in 2007, there was huge excitement and noise around the world that the future of air travel had finally arrived. From hotel suites to bars in business class, all seemedContinue reading “The Ultimate Airbus which Failed to Deliver”
Learn about the Types of Aviation Radio Signals
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?
How to Read a Weather Report like a Pilot
Pilots have various resources in order to know the weather. There are 3 main aviation reports that provide information about current weather conditions. In this article, we will learn and dissect one of them. The Meteorological Terminal Air Report (METAR) helps us know what is the current weather at an airport. It could be trickyContinue reading “How to Read a Weather Report like a Pilot”
What Are the Best Trainer Aircraft in the World?
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. PrivateContinue reading “What Are the Best Trainer Aircraft in the World?”
The Story of Jessica Cox
An inspirational story about the pilot, Jessica Cox, who achieved what was thought to be impossible. She was able to fly and earn her licence despite being born without arms. Even though she had her fair share of constant disappointments and difficult times, she was able to fight through and fulfil her dream.
How Does WIFI Work on a Plane?
Have you ever wondered how WIFI works on a plane? How does a plane have an internet connection thousands of feet up in the sky when even a phone doesn’t have cellular data or any type of service? Furthermore, how is this connection strong enough to accommodate the hundreds of passengers onboard? Internet connection onContinue reading “How Does WIFI Work on a Plane?”
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”
Do You Think You Can Be a Pilot?
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?Continue reading “Do You Think You Can Be a Pilot?”
Why Flying Is the Safest Mode of Travel
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 toContinue reading “Why Flying Is the Safest Mode of Travel”
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”?”
Flying in an Uncontrolled Airspace
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.
Emirates A380 updates
Emirates has recently welcomed their first of the three Airbus A380’s which will be joining up with the carrier’s operations this month. One of them will be featuring the premium economy product. Carriers within the Gulf region have been famous for not being fans of having premium economy seats on their aircraft, instead, they preferContinue reading “Emirates A380 updates”
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?
Would You Fly Over the Bermuda Triangle?
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?
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?”
Flying Over a Restricted Area
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 Happened to American Airlines Flight 587
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?
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 History of Flying Cars
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 backContinue reading “The History of Flying Cars”
The First Forward-Swept Wing Plane to Fly at a Supersonic Speed in Level flight in the World
Instead of the normal-looking planes we have today, did you know that a forward-swept wing aircraft existed? The Grumman X-29 is an aircraft that is surprisingly easy to fly due to its extraordinary design. According to Peter Suciu, this concept wasn’t new, as the United States and Nazi Germany previously experimented with forward-swept wings duringContinue reading “The First Forward-Swept Wing Plane to Fly at a Supersonic Speed in Level flight in the World”
Never Do These Things on a Plane
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 youContinue reading “Never Do These Things on a Plane”
The Man Who Believed He Can Fly
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.
Learn about the Amazing Supermarine Spitfire
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 ifContinue reading “Learn about the Amazing Supermarine Spitfire”
What Will I Fly?
For anyone interested in flying, this article will help you gain broader understanding of the categories, class and type of aircraft to fly. Maybe you want to fly an Airbus? Maybe you want to fly a balloon? If that’s your dream, who am I to judge? So allow me to list the aircrafts according toContinue reading “What Will I Fly?”
What’s an Important Risk Management Tool for a Pilot?
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 flightContinue reading “What’s an Important Risk Management Tool for a Pilot?”
How tandem-rotor helicopters started
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.
Pilots Can Suffer From Airsickness
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.
Questions Pilots Ask Themselves Before their Flights
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 thatContinue reading “Questions Pilots Ask Themselves Before their Flights”
Airport interior layout: Boarding Procedures.
As airports all around the globe become nearly as dense as a seaport, the layout of them has been evolved and changed to create the momentum for the passengers to travel easily and have a better experience. The layout of the airport starting from the main entrance and ending with entering the airplane. The designsContinue reading “Airport interior layout: Boarding Procedures.”
