Questions tagged [feature-identification]
For questions about identifying a feature or design on an aircraft.
207
questions
17
votes
2answers
3k views
What is this turbine engine panel that opens on landing?
Tonight I flew from Munich to Dortmund on an A319 and I happened to sit just above the wings and turbine on the right side. Upon landing, the turbine opened a window or panel which exposed some grid ...
15
votes
2answers
4k views
Are these two objects in cockpit of Antonov - AN 225 Mriya fans for air? What is their purpose?
In the above image, we can see two black objects that look like ceiling fans. This is just a reference image, but I am pretty sure that I have also seen small table fans mounted in cockpits of large ...
23
votes
1answer
3k views
What is this strut in biplane rigging, attached only to wires, not bearing any load?
A few biplanes like the Stearman have a strut parallel to the fuselage, halfway along the rigging's landing wires and flying wires, not fastened to the airframe, not bearing any obvious load. One on ...
2
votes
2answers
219 views
What is that wire connecting [duplicate]
What is that wire connecting the tail fin to the fuselage in beechcraft 1900 and so many other airplanes
30
votes
1answer
4k views
What are these Lights on the Center Column between Cockpit Windows on the A320?
I have always noticed there is what appears to be three lights on the center column, which separates the pilot and copilot window of the Airbus A320 family. From the looks, the center light is red and ...
5
votes
1answer
219 views
What is this part on the Me 262?
I have seen this part on a me 262 model kit but I don't know what it is... I've make some research on it but I find nothing! Maybe it can be radar, or a weapon? Do you know what is this? And also its ...
25
votes
6answers
8k views
What's this black rectangle painted on the side of a V-1 flying bomb?
A friend sent me a photo of the V-1 flying bomb on display at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo. What's the black painted rectangle on the side of the fuselage?
The writing isn't much help... Nicht auftreten ...
4
votes
2answers
3k views
16
votes
2answers
12k views
What are the bumps in the F-22 Raptor wing for?
As you can see in the picture there are several bulges or bumps in the wing that are located in the aileron and flaps. Somebody told me these are to hide the linear actuator, pushrod, and control horn....
0
votes
1answer
263 views
What are the names of the antennas which I have marked in this picture of a Boeing 737?
I have taken the picture from PMDG 737NGX Microsoft flight simulator X. I am really curious to know what this antennas are. These antennas are behind the nose gear.
11
votes
1answer
1k views
What is this thing on a FDX MD11 (MD10?)?
I assume something forward looking; not sure why there and how they got this to play nicely with radar
0
votes
1answer
141 views
1
vote
2answers
232 views
Why does the IL-76 have a lump at the bottom of its nose?
Why does the IL-76 have this lump at the bottom of its nose?
Why can't it be gotten rid of?
7
votes
1answer
574 views
What is this metal piece sticking up on the roof of a 182?
My CFI and I were stumped as to what the purpose of this metal piece is on the roof of a 182. I couldn't find anything from searching Cessna POHs/docs online... Any ideas?
Here is a close-up:
1
vote
1answer
317 views
What is this part on a Cessna 172 engine?
Can any one tell me what this tube with the red is? This is a photo of a 1977 Cessna 172 engine. Looks like the tube is directly connected to the top of the crankshaft.
7
votes
0answers
151 views
What is this extension at the tip of the Supermarine Southampton's wing?
Looking at this Wikipedia image of the Supermarine Southampton flying boat, I noticed what at first looked like a small wheel. But then I thought it couldn't be, as a wheel would be pointless in a ...
2
votes
1answer
176 views
2
votes
1answer
128 views
What is this long Bar/Rod on the Boeing MH-47G? [duplicate]
This MH-47G has a thick, long rod at the bottom left front. What's the purpose of this thing?
0
votes
1answer
889 views
What is this mysterious thing on the vertical stabilizer of the Boeing 707?
Have you ever seen this mysterious line-shaped thing on the vertical stabilizer of a Boeing 707 or 720? What purpose does this thing do?
3
votes
1answer
299 views
What is this little strake on Cessna 182 vertical tail?
can somebody explain what is the reason of mounting this little horizontal strake on a Cessna 182 vertical tail?
16
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the asymmetric feature on the rear of a Sukhoi Su-47?
I saw this part on the rear of the Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut, and I can see that it is asymmetric. Is it maybe for interference, or is it a take-off aid because the Su-47 is a STOL plane?
What is it and ...
0
votes
1answer
104 views
What's this prominience in the B737? [duplicate]
I have recovered some spotting pictures that I made long ago and I came to realize an upper prominence in the fuselage of this Norwegian Boeing 737. I don't remember to have seen it in other 737s.
...
1
vote
1answer
136 views
What is this device on the nose of an MD-11? [duplicate]
In the following photo there is some sort of cover or opening (for an optical device I assume) on the nose cone.
What is this and what is the system behind it?
(link to source)
2
votes
1answer
152 views
1
vote
1answer
319 views
What is that A340 cockpit panel on the glareshield?
I want to know the panel's name and how it works. This picture is an Iberia Airbus A340-600
4
votes
1answer
330 views
What Is this on the fuselage of The Fokker F100? [duplicate]
What Is this on the fuselage of The Fokker F100?
3
votes
1answer
192 views
7
votes
1answer
995 views
What is this object on the tail of an F-16?
Source: skytamer.com
What is the object on the tail of this F-16 (next to the serial number)?
13
votes
1answer
2k views
What are these small engine inlets on the Super Hornet?
Does anyone know what these two small variable inlets on top of the engines are used for on the Super Hornet?
Source: navy.mil; cropped
10
votes
3answers
4k views
What is the piece that covers the top part of tires?
I would like to know the name and the usefulness of this piece that covers the top of the tire of some planes, such as some Cessnas.
6
votes
1answer
318 views
Why does Google's Wing drone have dimples?
The question What operational aspects of Alphabet's Wing drone delivery service will be the same as that of an airline? includes a cropped photo of a google drone from FAA Certifies Google's Wing ...
13
votes
3answers
724 views
What are these pipes on an Avro Vulcan?
As you can see above, there are two small pipes next to the main engine exhausts on this Avro Vulcan(the one at Duxford). I'm curious what these pipes are/what they are for. Are they fuel dump pipes? ...
5
votes
1answer
266 views
What are these “portholes & panels” on the fuselage of the Omega Tanker DC-10?
If you take a look at the photo (source: still from this YouTube video), you'll notice a pair of "panels" on the fuselage of this Omega Tanker DC-10 (reg: N974VV), circled with green.
There is also ...
3
votes
3answers
506 views
Why does the UH-1 Huey have a hump at the rear of the cabin?
Why does the Huey have this weird hump as shown in the picture? For some system? Why not remove it?
https://www.helis.com/h2/uh-1h_seats.jpg
5
votes
1answer
362 views
What is the purpose of the air inlets on an A320neo's pylon (LEAP-1A)?
What is the purpose of the air inlets on an A320neo's pylon (LEAP-1A)? Passive cooling, air bleed like in the 707, or something else?
12
votes
1answer
1k views
What are these hooks and tassels on the nose?
What are the hooks and tassels hanging down from the nose of this aircraft?
9
votes
2answers
965 views
What is that pitot-like device under the left wing of the Cessna 152?
Source: tkaviation.net
I suspect it's related to the fuel system, but it's only found on the left wing (see the yellow circle, not the pitot-tube). I haven't been able to find the right keywords to ...
6
votes
2answers
808 views
What is the bulge under the engine of the Mirage III and some of its variants?
While attempting to create a Kfir in 3D modelling software, I noticed a bulge under the engine on the reference picture (a 2D side view) I was using, which I initially assumed to be a fin. After ...
3
votes
1answer
726 views
What is this Airbus A320 passager seat part?
I'm on a Airbus A320 anyone have any idea what the black part on the back of the passager seat is used for?
6
votes
1answer
240 views
What is the use of this object in the cockpit of a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400?
What is the use of this object in the cockpit of a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400?
34
votes
1answer
3k views
What's that in front of the overhead panel?
There is that thing I have see a few pilot using it. it can be pulled outside and then inside. what's that and what's the use of it?
5
votes
1answer
742 views
Can you identify this antenna on a Cessna 172N?
Does anybody know what this antenna is used for? I suspect a glideslope antenna but I am not totally sure.
42
votes
3answers
10k views
Why does the B-2 Spirit have a pattern of thin white lines?
Northrop Grumman's B-2 Spirit bomber is mostly black or dark grey, but has a symmetric pattern of distinctive, thin white lines painted on its wings and fuselage. I have not been able to find anything ...
11
votes
1answer
357 views
What are these blades on the engine cowling of a Wittman Tailwind?
The Florida Air Museum in Lakeland has a Wittman W-8 Tailwind with four wooden, propeller-like blades on the engine cowling:
Source: own work
What are the blades for? It's an experimental aircraft ...
14
votes
1answer
8k views
What is this hole on the left wing of the Eurofighter Typhoon?
I came across the picture below and saw the hole near the centerline on the left which appears to have some carbon next to it. What is its purpose and where does the carbon come from?
11
votes
1answer
698 views
What is the purpose of these movable panels on the MiG-35?
The MiG-35 has movable panels on the LERX (leading edge root extensions). There are a number of images around the web showing these panels deployed during slow flight and retracted otherwise.
When do ...
-9
votes
1answer
198 views
What is this object name and how it works?
Photo is from here.
I believe that it something like steer on a car. But seems that it has function or control more than just turning left or right. Is any different between left and right?
11
votes
1answer
2k views
What are the bars protruding from this C-130?
This C-130 was photographed on approach to Ellington Field (EFD), Texas.
What are the protruding, truss-supported bars aft of and below the wing?
There's an airshow coming up in ~3 weeks at EFD, so ...
6
votes
2answers
295 views
What is the purpose of the vertical splitter and the NACA duct at the MQ-9 Reaper engine scoop?
The engine scoop/intake on the MQ-9 features a vertical splitter at the inlet face, as well as another smaller NACA duct on the top cowl surface just aft of the inlet lip.
I am guessing the former ...
8
votes
1answer
468 views
What is the device at the tail of the F-16 Block 60?
The F-16 Block 60 has a lot of advancements, one of which is the device at the tail. What is it?
For clarification, I believe all these vents (second image) are for said device.
