All Questions
24,972
questions
18
votes
3
answers
5k
views
After an emergency landing, what procedures should the pilot follow?
In case of an emergency landing (non-fatal) on a road/highway or in a large field, what happens next?
Should police be contacted?
Should aircraft owner and/or insurance be contacted?
In case landing ...
- 29.4k
28
votes
1
answer
10k
views
I have a European EASA license - what do I need to do to be allowed to fly in the US?
I own a PPL(A) license following JAR-FCL. Recently, this license has been exchanged for a European EASA license.
My training was on a motor glider (TMG), I do not have ratings for SEP, but TMG and ...
- 1,361
30
votes
5
answers
47k
views
If I have a float plane, can I land on any body of water?
What are the rules with regards to landing a float plane on a body of water? Can I land anywhere (non-emergency, obviously) that would also accommodate the take-off? If not, how do I determine which ...
- 8,392
18
votes
2
answers
431
views
Partial ownership: are there any pitfalls to owning the plane through a shell company?
I'm currently saving money for a plane and training, and the expectations are that I won't have the money for full ownership of much else north of a Cessna 150. I'm investigating partial ownership ...
- 1,648
32
votes
9
answers
6k
views
What things can a passenger look out for, to indicate an emergency?
As a passenger with a keen interest in aviation, I'd like to think I'd be eagle-eyed enough to spot a problem that the pilots mightn't be able to see, from where they're sitting (for example, an ...
- 16.6k
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What ATC entities does a commercial airliner communicate with?
As a private pilot, I am familiar with tower, ground, approach and departure control, but I am aware that there are other entities like clearance, pushback and center. If I were flying a commercial ...
- 1,739
26
votes
5
answers
93k
views
What does the term "trimming" most commonly mean in aviation?
Why does an airplane need trim, and what does it do during the flight? Does an autopilot adjust the trim automatically?
- 1,017
32
votes
3
answers
12k
views
What is the behavior of false glideslope signals?
I know that an ILS transmits not only the correct glideslope but also signals that can be interpreted as a false glide path. But I'm not familiar with the details of these erroneous indications. What ...
- 2,560
14
votes
3
answers
31k
views
What are the differences between "ground stop", "ground delay", and "gate hold"?
I've heard several terms referring to air traffic control procedures that restrict movement for a certain period of time: ground stop, ground delay, and gate hold (plus others I'm sure I'm forgetting ...
- 2,560
17
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Does adding a motorized fan to a hot air balloon change its class as an aircraft?
I have seen fans like these for use in ballooning and glider propulsion.
Does adding one of these change the definition of the flight vehicle? e.g. is it No longer a balloon, but now an aircraft? ...
- 1,655
11
votes
1
answer
666
views
How does a pilots license of cluster ballooning differ from other ballooning or unpowered flight?
John Ninomiya discusses his experience with developing this new style of ballooning on his Cluster Ballooning website.
Many of the site's links are now broken, but on there he formerly attested that ...
- 1,655
7
votes
1
answer
319
views
Is FAA approval required in order to fly an RNAV SID/STAR for a private aircraft operated under FAR Part 91?
I know that under FAR Part 135, specific approval is required for an RNAV SID/STAR (given via an OpSpec), but what about Part 91? Does the aircraft/pilot have to be approved, and if so how is the ...
- 58.6k
8
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Can time logged in foreign aircraft be applied towards an FAA certificate or rating?
Does time logged in these foreign-registered aircraft (cross country, etc) count towards US certificates or ratings? Or is it flight experience that should be excluded from an 8710?
- 23.3k
18
votes
3
answers
14k
views
Is it legal to fly in RVSM airspace with an inoperative autopilot?
FAR Part 91, Appendix G, Section 2 says:
(c) Altitude-keeping equipment: All aircraft. To approve an aircraft
group or a nongroup aircraft, the Administrator must find that the
aircraft meets ...
- 58.6k
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?)
- 16.6k
4
votes
1
answer
881
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
4k
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.
...
- 7,523
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
458
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
816
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
18
votes
6
answers
45k
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 ...
- 425
5
votes
2
answers
252
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
10k
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
427
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
78k
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 ...
- 1,693
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 ...
- 58.6k
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 ...
- 1,098
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 ...
- 29.4k
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 ...
- 7,523
27
votes
6
answers
143k
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?
- 16.6k
25
votes
3
answers
4k
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 ...
- 30.4k
33
votes
3
answers
6k
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 ...
- 2,524
16
votes
1
answer
772
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
14k
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, ...
- 16.6k
9
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 ...
- 16.6k
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 ...
- 31.6k
51
votes
6
answers
104k
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)...
- 16.6k
45
votes
5
answers
185k
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 ...
- 16.6k
40
votes
4
answers
93k
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 ...
- 2,560
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 ...
- 2,560
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. ...
- 58.6k
11
votes
1
answer
149
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 ...
- 58.6k