All Questions
23,808
questions
51
votes
5
answers
60k
views
What are the main differences piloting Boeing vs. Airbus aircraft?
What are the main differences in flying a Boeing vs an Airbus aircraft?
Ignoring cosmetics, e.g. nose/window shape (see How can I tell apart an Airbus from a Boeing?)
- 16.5k
4
votes
2
answers
872
views
What licenses and/or training should one obtain to be able to fly a drone in California?
The FAA will open up to flying civilian drones in 2015. Should we get pilot licenses to be ready for this? if so, is there a difference between plane or helicopter pilot license?
Links related:
NASA ...
- 275
14
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is roll control achieved exclusively with spoilers on an A320 on final approach?
As a private pilot I have zero knowledge about how big jets are being flown so I was a little surprised to see that smaller Airbuses (A32x) only use spoilers for roll control on final approach.
...
- 7,423
22
votes
1
answer
6k
views
What is this sound from Airbus aircraft before take off?
When flying in an Airbus, I often (if not always) hear a weird sound before the aircraft starts to accelerate for taking off. From where exactly does this sound come from? Why doesn't it appear on ...
- 1,910
5
votes
3
answers
447
views
What are the different steps to certify a new aircraft in Europe?
I know that to be allowed to fly an aircraft has to be certified by an agency and that this one is not the same for European or American (for instance) aircraft. What are the different steps that an ...
- 1,910
14
votes
1
answer
812
views
Are there any serious plans for a new supersonic civilian aircraft? [closed]
Since the retirement of the Concorde and the Tupolev Tu-144, there aren't any civilian airplanes (passengers carrier or business jet) flying supersonic. I heard that Dassault and SAAB had rather ...
- 1,910
12
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What are those thin magenta lines on the Sectional / Terminal Area Chart near Death Valley?
Due west of KLAS and Death Valley are a large number of MOAs and Restricted areas. On the sectional and terminal area charts, there are thin magenta lines snaking over some of the mountain tops.
What ...
- 1,103
10
votes
3
answers
7k
views
How can a hang glider take off from flat ground?
There are a number of different ways of taking off with a powerless hang glider, the most commonly used being either running down a hill or jumping off a cliff/platform. This is how I learned to hang ...
- 203
17
votes
6
answers
42k
views
What's a quick way to determine which runway to use?
Let's say I call up Wx and have the wind direction and I know the runway headings from my charts and the pattern is empty. I can do the math, but it's tedious and slow and even worse when there are ...
- 415
5
votes
2
answers
241
views
Are there standard ground-tether systems for unpowered aircraft?
Do grounding systems have any standards or conventions? Is tethering specified in any way?
I can understand the engineering aspects of the question, but I am wondering about regulation or ...
- 1,655
17
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Is there any size of tethered kite that is regulated by the FAA?
Civilians fly kites for entertainment.
Is there a limit, after which the kite is considered an aircraft and becomes regulated?
Is a kite considered a balloon, after a certain size? Do technology ...
- 1,655
17
votes
2
answers
3k
views
With the upgrade of the 737 to the Max model, what major changes are incorporated?
The Boeing 737 was originally designed in the 1960's and flew into the 1980's before a major redesign (the 737-700, -800, and -900 models) was implemented.
Coming up in a few years will be the next ...
- 929
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How will radar systems be used in FAA's NextGen ATC plans?
Based on the reading I've been doing of FAA's Next Generation Air Traffic Control (NextGen) plans, I've been wondering if and how radar systems will continue to be used for ATC as NextGen rolls out?
...
- 365
16
votes
3
answers
9k
views
What is the range and accuracy of ATC radar systems?
What is the average range, accuracy, and update frequency of radar systems used to monitor airspace in the USA?
I'm primarily interested in capabilities for tracking smaller general aviation aircraft ...
- 365
11
votes
3
answers
425
views
How is drone (UAS) traffic regulated in the US?
Does the FAA regulate drones at this time?
Maybe they regulate only a certain class / size of UAV / UAS?
Is drone regulation to the level that traffic is managed through ATC?
- 1,655
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How does aircraft navigation work? [closed]
Is it possible to briefly summarize how a commercial plane navigation system operates to a layperson (e.g. a passenger)?
The aircraft takes off, reaches a certain altitude, and then lands perfect on ...
- 267
20
votes
4
answers
73k
views
Flight Level Change or Vertical Speed - When to use it?
I've heard that some pilots have this difficulty to determine the correct use of both features. So, which is the difference between using the vertical speed, instead using the flight level change ...
- 1,683
24
votes
3
answers
6k
views
What are the weather requirements to log an instrument approach?
So let's assume that I'm the sole manipulator of the flight controls in an aircraft in which I'm rated and that I fly an instrument approach.
What weather does the FAA require (assuming that I'm not ...
- 58.2k
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can I save money on becoming a helicopter pilot in the US if I do flight hours in Mexico?
Flight hours costs approximately $285 per hour. Below is a screenshot from a local (Newport Beach, CA) school regarding what it takes to become a private pilot.
So I was hoping that maybe there ...
- 275
37
votes
1
answer
15k
views
Can I attach a camera to the outside of my aircraft in the USA?
I've been watching a lot of videos shot with mini cameras (like a GoPro) from outside the aircraft. Some look like they're mounted on or under wings, others from underneath the aircraft. This looks ...
- 1,078
21
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the best way to keep logbook entries backed up?
What is the best way to keep logbook entries backed up?
Should a photocopied or scanned image on a computer suffice? Can an Excel spreadsheet or other software/apps be used? In case a logbook is lost ...
- 29.3k
19
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Do controllers take wind into account when giving headings?
When ATC gives you headings to fly, do they consider wind correction? In theory they should because they call it a heading and not a track, but do they? After all, the heading they want you to fly ...
- 7,423
27
votes
6
answers
139k
views
What's the difference between True vs Magnetic headings?
What is the difference between a true and a magnetic heading?
Why are/were magnetic headings used in aviation?
- 16.5k
25
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why would ASOS have a caution for Low Density Altitude?
I did my initial training in a high altitude area, where it got pretty hot in the summer, so I'm not at all surprised when I hear an ASOS announce:
Caution: Density Altitude (a few thousand above ...
- 29.6k
32
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What are the typical facets of ownership costs, for a single engine aircraft?
It's easy to go online and look at prices of a Cessna 172, but what are some examples of how to break down the real world costs of ownership?
How much other maintenance should you plan for?
How much ...
- 2,496
16
votes
1
answer
761
views
What is the usage ratio of the An-225 Mriya?
Does anyone have data on how much time the An-225 (only one was produced; it is currently the largest aircraft in the world) spends flying/on missions and how much it waits for customers?
This is a ...
- 281
10
votes
3
answers
13k
views
Are task cards still used in aircraft maintenance?
I used to work for a company making maintenance software for the shipping industry. Each component, from a cylinder in an engine to the furnace has to be inspected after (e.g.) 10,000 running hours, ...
- 16.5k
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Who decides an aircraft's maintenance schedule?
I've found a 737 maintenance planning data document produced by Boeing, which gives a suggested schedule on page 6.
I've also found a British Airways Fact Book document, which on the last page gives ...
- 16.5k
13
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How do I renew/revalidate my lapsed JAR PPL?
I obtained a JAR PPL in 2003 and flew regularly for a few years afterwards. My last flight as Pilot in Command was around 2006 and as I have not kept up the required number of hours per year since ...
- 27.5k
52
votes
6
answers
103k
views
How are runways numbered?
I'm not a professional pilot, just an enthusiast, so this might seem obvious to others; but I noticed that airports don't use sequential numbering for runways, starting from 1.
Liverpool (for example)...
- 16.5k
45
votes
5
answers
179k
views
When to use beacon, anti-collision, strobe, logo, and navigation lights?
During taxi, the taxi lights are used, and I think the landing lights are required to be used up to 10.000 feet for all commercial flights.
However, my question is regarding the abovementioned lights:...
- 1,017
25
votes
2
answers
6k
views
What to do if the captain smells like alcohol?
Suppose you're the co-pilot on a flight and during pre-flight, talking to the captain, you smell alcohol.
Although you didn't see him drinking and the smell isn't strong, what does regulation ...
- 16.5k
39
votes
4
answers
88k
views
When are winds given with respect to true vs. magnetic north?
Wind information can be reported by various sources (ATIS, METAR, TAF, spoken on the radio, etc). I was taught that officially some of these sources are relative to magnetic north and others to true ...
- 2,540
16
votes
1
answer
8k
views
What is a Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach (SOIA)?
I have heard about Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approaches (SOIA), special procedures for runways that are spaced particularly close together. How exactly do they work? What are the requirements for ...
- 2,540
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What are the US Customs requirements upon returning to the US after pre-clearing customs in the US Virgin Islands?
I have heard conflicting information regarding pre-clearing customs in the USVI. On one hand, I have heard that once you clear customs you are done and don't need to do anything special on arrival. ...
- 58.2k
11
votes
1
answer
143
views
How does a US registered pilot obtain approval to fly to Cuba?
Because of US foreign policy, flights between the US and Cuba are prohibited except for certain conditions. If I am flying there for an approved reason (such as to visit immediate family), how do I ...
- 58.2k
15
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What is required to fly over Cuba enroute to another country?
I understand that you need to get an overflight permit before entering Cuban airspace, even if you aren't landing there. How do you go about getting permission to overfly them enroute to another ...
- 58.2k
39
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Is a rotary wing craft capable of supersonic flight?
Just what the title states.
Since the Wright brothers, aviation technology for fixed-wing craft has advanced by an order or more. Rotary wing craft on the other hand (I know little about aviation; ...
- 717
7
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What is the difference between a private and a commercial flight according to the US Customs and Border Protection?
From what I understand, whether or not a flight is classified as private or commercial in the eyes of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has nothing to do with the Federal Aviation Regulations (...
- 58.2k
13
votes
1
answer
14k
views
What is the difference between the various automated airport weather observing systems?
Automated airport weather observations can be produced by several types of equipment: AWOS-A, AWOS-1, AWOS-2, AWOS-3, and ASOS are the ones I've seen mentioned. What are the differences between these ...
- 2,540
12
votes
3
answers
575
views
Are there benefits to opening a flight plan if I'm flying over populated areas?
Here in Idaho we have a lot of mountains and desert areas where if I had to make an emergency landing or crashed it may take a very long time to find me. In that case I can see the benefit to opening ...
- 2,496
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the difference between planned true airspeed and actual true airspeed?
My electronic E6B does calculations for both planned and actual true airspeed (yielding different results). I was told the difference has to do with assumptions about temperature, but the manual doesn'...
- 2,540
31
votes
2
answers
9k
views
What is the cause of unusually strong wake turbulence from the 757?
The Boeing 757 (at least in the US) is in a special class of its own with respect to air traffic control wake turbulence advisories and separation. This is apparently due to it producing stronger wake ...
- 2,540
11
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How do FAR 23 takeoff requirements compare to FAR 25 requirements?
What types of factors come into account when planning takeoff performance for dual engine aircraft under FAR 23, compared to the aircraft with certified takeoff distances under FAR 25
Obviously, the ...
- 10.4k
13
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What are the requirements to convert an FAA certificate to EASA/JAA?
If a pilot holding a US certificate wanted to convert it to an equivalent EASA (JAA?) certificate, what training, flight experience, and exams are necessary to obtain equivalency?
Does the process ...
- 23.2k
12
votes
1
answer
736
views
Where can I find regulations in different countries for flight level rules based on direction of flight?
I'm from Brazil, and here we use the West/East rule, so we use an odd flight level when we fly between 0/360 - 179, and when we fly between ...
- 1,683
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What's the difference between FAA Part 61 and Part 141 training?
I've got schools with both part approvals in my area. I'm just interested in recreational flying, I'm not sure which part is more suited to my needs.
What are the differences I should consider before ...
- 1,078
15
votes
2
answers
956
views
How can I estimate the minimum runway needed to take off with a hang glider?
I'm interested in short, or trick, take-offs - such as from platforms, tall trees, etc.
I think that I should have
a wind speed and direction measure
an understanding of my wing surface area
This ...
- 1,655
23
votes
4
answers
15k
views
What does a sport pilot have to do to get a private pilot certificate in the US?
What are the minimum requirements for obtaining a privates pilot certificate if a pilot already has a sport pilot certificate?
The requirements for a private pilot certificate don't changes because ...
- 477
12
votes
1
answer
548
views
What are the FAA sport-pilot self-certification standards?
Consider a hypothetical pilot who knows they have a medical condition which the FAA considers disqualifying (under the standard medical qualification standards). Is that pilot permitted to operate ...
- 385