For questions about identifying a feature or design on an aircraft.
0
votes
1answer
126 views
What are these lumps on the top side of the wings of military aircraft? [on hold]
There is an online video game called War Thunder that lets you fly various planes from roughly the 30s to the late 50s. It has some pretty detailed models, and I've noticed these lumps on the wings of ...
6
votes
1answer
429 views
What is this 'runway number' automatic readout system on a flight deck?
I was watching this flight-deck video (starts at 11:13) of a Turkish Airlines Boeing take off from Istanbul and just as they accelerate on the take off roll there seems to be an automatic voice in the ...
18
votes
2answers
2k views
What's the function of the plate behind the wheels of the Pilatus Porter?
Anyone knows what's the plate behind the wheel of the Pilatus Porter for?
4
votes
1answer
303 views
What is that hole on the front portion of the empennage of a CRJ-1000?
I've noticed that there is a hole on the front tip of the "dorsal fin" of the crj 1000. Ive been thinking that it would be logical if thats the intake for its APU unit. But im not really sure.
Image ...
4
votes
1answer
127 views
Is the shape of the Bell X-1 wing on Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity's artwork correct?
This answer to the Space SE question What do these patterns on Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity represent, and how are they applied? indicates that one of the aerospacecraft representations on the Unity is ...
7
votes
1answer
771 views
Why do the A220 cockpit seats have a cutout?
Why do cockpit seats on the A220 have a cutout on the bottom cushion? The answers to Aircraft pilot's seats: what is the notch for? explain that these cutouts allow for easier maneuverability of the ...
7
votes
1answer
359 views
What is this instrument that has “PACK” written on it and a temperature scale?
All I know right now is that it’s made in 1973. Another instrument I have is from a b727 and is dated 1982. This one I have no clue. Serial number- H 2590. The brand is Amphenol. That’s all the info I ...
25
votes
5answers
4k views
What is this F-18 Hornet “air intake” for?
I think I read once that they served to cool the on-board computer systems, but I'm not sure.
6
votes
2answers
251 views
What exactly does the MB-326's 'relight' button do?
The following picture shows the engine throttle of an Aermacchi MB-326, which is powered by the Rolls-Royce Viper turbojet:
(source - all photos © Drive&Fly Model Club)
I wonder what exactly the ...
2
votes
1answer
201 views
What does the XFR button on the Challenger 300's autopilot panel do?
I'm new to aircraft and currently I'm learning the autopilot system of the Bombardier Challenger 300. I saw the "xfr" button but don't understand what it is for. Can someone explain this to me?
6
votes
1answer
251 views
What is the three-light indicator on carrier-borne airplanes?
(YouTube)
The above three-light forward facing indicator can be seen on most (all?) nose landing gears of carrier-borne aircraft.
What is it called? I suspect it relays the angle-of-attack / E-...
27
votes
2answers
4k views
What are those hatches on the engines of a B-2 that are open during takeoff?
I just watched this drool-inducing video of Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, And noticed that there are a couple of hatches near each engine, which were open:
I initially thought they were open for some ...
1
vote
1answer
234 views
What is the overhead instrument panel (pictured) near the front galley area of an A320?
I have noticed this overhead instrument panel. It is convered by a transparent plastic lid with a small hole in the middle. Inside it has lot of switches. What is it supposed to do and who operates ...
5
votes
3answers
216 views
What is this tab above the DC-10's #2 engine? [duplicate]
What is this big rectangular tab (?) thingy extending backwards just above the DC-10's #2 engine? What does it do?
(wikimedia.org, picture modified to point out the tab thingy)
8
votes
1answer
275 views
What additional functionality is provided by the F-14 nose pitot, absent in early models?
Early model F-14A had no nose pitot:
... but they seem to have quickly acquired them sometime in the late 1970s. The Iranian F-14s have them, and it's quite hard to find a picture of an F-14 without ...
42
votes
4answers
9k views
What is this hole at the front of the engine pylon on a Boeing 707?
Images of the Boeing 707 show a hole at the front of the engine pylon just above the engine.
Can someone please tell me what is the purpose?
Also why do images show the hole absent on the left outer ...
3
votes
1answer
148 views
What's the name for this part on a Cessna 172P?
I am trying to figure out what the name for this part is.
I believe that's the door seal, but all seals I am looking at, seem to be glued to the outside now.
10
votes
1answer
393 views
What are those things under the Concorde’s cockpit windows?
I’ve noticed there are little bits sticking out under Concorde’s cockpit windows and they’re too small to be canards. Are they some kind of vortex generator or something?
(Source)
8
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the function of this fixed protrusion on the tail?
(wikimedia.org)
Above you can see a small fixed (?) part on the Embraer 190, just above the KLM logo. It is on both sides of the tail. What is the function of this part?
5
votes
1answer
449 views
What is the hole located below the 2nd or 3rd window of Boeing 737? [duplicate]
I see there is a hole located below the 2nd or 3rd window. What is its purpose?
(Sources: flickr.com and planespotters.net)
0
votes
0answers
123 views
What is that wire on the picture? [duplicate]
I thought it was HF antenna the What is the purpose of that?
What kind of nav aid use HF frequency?
12
votes
1answer
1k views
What is this red dashed line between door and cockpit window?
I noticed this dashed line located between the door and cockpit window on this 737-300 while boarding this exact aircraft at Ibiza airport. It seems to have text beside it but I did not have time to ...
7
votes
2answers
912 views
What is that missing instrument on a Beechcraft 1900C?
(Full image) Beechcraft 1900C.
I cannot find the name of the missing instrument even in the manuals.
9
votes
1answer
374 views
What is this fuselage-side aerial used for?
(instagram.com)
I have seen this picture, and this feature on the port fuselage called my attention. Does anybody know the purpose of this?
18
votes
2answers
2k views
What is this cutout in the Spitfire cockpit glass?
This is a still from the film Dunkirk. I realise this is not a historical document, but I have also found a similar feature in photos of real Spitfires. What is the purpose of this?
27
votes
2answers
5k views
What is that device on an Su-27 pilot's helmet?
While watching a YouTube video (2.5hrs), I noticed this device on the top of most Russian Su-27 combat pilot's helmet. A google search only shows it for a Su-27 and MiG-29, but apparently no other ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
What is this feature on a Sukhoi Su-27? [duplicate]
Most but not all Russian Su-27's (and variants like the Su-30, -32, -33) have a device that looks like a headlight in front of the cockpit. What is it?
19
votes
2answers
4k views
What are those arrow markings on the wing?
I recently flew on a Boeing 737-800 and found these arrow markings on the wing. What are they for?
7
votes
1answer
742 views
What is this air-scoop behind the cockpit of the Polikarpov I-153 and Stearman?
(Source)
There is a Ferrari-looking air-scoop behind the cockpit of the I-153 and most of the Stearman planes too.
What is that?
1
vote
0answers
101 views
What is this door below the lavatory? [duplicate]
What is this door below the lavatory of this airplane?
Other aircraft have similar doors near the rear lavatory?
6
votes
1answer
931 views
What is this button (pressed during approach) on the Airbus A320?
I was watching a YouTube video of a cobalt air a320 landing and I seen as he was about 2000 ft AGL he pressed a button on his right hand side just beside the Navigation display. The button illuminated ...
5
votes
1answer
239 views
What does the letter D on the underside of the wing stand for?
Below is a picture of the Junkers F.13.
What does the letter D on the underside of the wing stand for?
(Image Source)
15
votes
1answer
2k views
What is this pipe on the tail of this helicopter?
In this picture of a CH-53 you can see a pipe or rail on the tail section of the aircraft. What is that?
4
votes
1answer
286 views
What are these parts on Super Etendard?
I'm currently working on modelling a Super Etendard and just have a few questions on what are some small parts.
First of all, any ideas what this tube thing is on the right side of the exhaust? My ...
6
votes
1answer
237 views
What is this odd large sign near Aalborg airport/millitary airport?
I have recently moved to Aalborg in denmark and while riding my bike each morning I cycle past these large signs pointing out into the water. I assume they are for aircraft at the nearby millitary/...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
What engine are these fan blades from?
I bought these from a metal scrapper and paid about $30.00 total figuring they're worth more than that in cool factor. Problem is they aren't nearly as cool if I can't figure out what engine (and ...
0
votes
0answers
169 views
Can you identify this (electrical) part?
I've been given an assignment regarding this very small piece, but my professor says he has no information about it other than:
It's an electrical insulator of sorts
Is used in an aeronautical ...
43
votes
1answer
5k views
What does this plus (cross) sign on this electrical panel mean?
I'm looking at a picture of the electrical panel of a Phenom 100 and on it I see a + sign, does anyone have any ideas as to what it's supposed to mean?
12
votes
1answer
547 views
What is this “Micro T-tail” on the F-102?
I just noticed this unusual thing on the F-102 Delta Dagger. It looks like a micro T-tail. What is it actually, and what is its purpose?
19
votes
1answer
870 views
Why did some Caravelles have a very long dorsal fin?
(Source)
Why did some Sud Aviation Caravelles have a very long dorsal fin stretching half the fuselage?
Initially I thought it's to keep the fin low to fit in existing hangars as a selling point, ...
5
votes
1answer
359 views
KC-130: What are the four tanks/tube on the wings in between the engines used for?
On the KC-130, what are the 4 tanks/tube on the wings in between the engines used for?
I've seen them in photos but without explanation. I cannot find any mention of them whatsoever. If not storage ...
1
vote
1answer
688 views
What is the purpose of a small wing near the cockpit on the front of some planes?
I saw a plane leaving Luton Airport that I have never seen before.
It seemed to have an extra small rectangular wing near the front of the plane. What is it?
28
votes
1answer
2k views
What does this black triangle placard on board an A320 denote?
Just out of interest whilst travelling aboard a British Airways A320-232 G-MIDT on the 9.45 BA shuttle service (LGW-GLA) in seat 10F I noticed a placard above the window of seat 9F. Given this seat ...
40
votes
1answer
2k views
Can experts identify the model using this part (FOD prevention purposes)?
We found this part of an aircraft recently and, in order to improve the safety levels at our airport, we would like to know what possible aircraft model (or models) are compatible with this cover so ...
0
votes
0answers
84 views
What are these holes at the right front of the ATR72? [duplicate]
The ATR-72 has these 3 holes at the right front of the fuselage. They are marked as Captain, F/O and StandBy. It says do not obstruct, and the area inside the red lines must be smooth and clean.
What ...
4
votes
1answer
544 views
What are these teardrop shaped thingamabobs on the bottom of the Panavia Tornado?
What are these two teardrop shaped thingamabobs on the bottom of the Panavia tornado?
They could be hardpoints but I haven't found any photos where anything would have been mounted there. They don't ...
3
votes
1answer
471 views
What are the “panels” on the wingtips of the Panavia Tornado?
I am wondering about the purpose of the panel marked with the number 156 in this picture:
The same black panel can be seen on the wingtips here:
And also here:
What purpose does this panel serve? ...
5
votes
2answers
363 views
What is the round thing on the tip of an MD-90 wing?
I like to pretend I know about airplanes, but have always wondered what the round things on the tip of MD-90 wings are. Here is an image of what I am talking about:
To be clear, my question is what ...
38
votes
2answers
5k views
What are these five indicators at the front of the 737 passenger cabin?
As a passenger I noticed set of five indicators on ceiling at the front of the 737 passenger cabin. They are: red, yellow (or white), blue, white, red.
Red ones seem to be coupled together (what ...
15
votes
2answers
740 views
What is this nose cowl mounted display?
(YouTube) A crop duster's nose mounted display.
It looks like a poor man's HUD to keep the display and the outside view at roughly the same focus distance, but what is its function?
