Aerospace Engineering

Ever wonder if the altitude at which an airplane flies affects its speed? Most commercial jets have a cruising altitude of 31,000 to 42,000 feet. After taking off, they will climb for about 10 minutes to reach this altitude. Yes, … Read More

Zero fuel weight is an important metric for fixed-wing aircraft. Not to be confused with maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), it represents the total weight of an aircraft minus fuel. Whether you’re a private pilot or aerospace engineer, you can’t ignore … Read More

Aircraft fuel systems are more complex than their automotive counterparts. While most cars, trucks and other automobiles have a single fuel tank, large commercial airliners typically have at least two fuel tanks. The Boeing 787, for instance, has three fuel … Read More

When most people think of spoilers, they envision the wing-like structures found on the back of sports cars. Spoilers such as these are common. They are aerodynamic devices that disrupt or “spoil” the airflow, resulting in better performance. But spoilers … Read More

Do you know what a heavy jet is? There are different ways to classify airplanes. Commercial airliners, for instance, are often classified according to the number of aisles they have. Narrow-body airliners have a single aisle of seats, whereas wide-body … Read More

Ever wonder how high turboprop airplanes fly? Commercial airliners have an average cruising altitude of 32,000 to 42,000 feet, meaning they fly about six or seven miles above sea or ground level. Commercial airliners, however, are typically powered by jet … Read More

The turbofan has become the most common type of jet engine used in airplanes. Whether it’s a civilian, commercial or military jet, it may feature one or more turbofans. Also known as a fanjet, a turbofan is a type of … Read More

There’s been a growing trend in the aerospace manufacturing industry towards the use of composite materials. According to Statista, composite materials or “composites” account for 52% of the global aerospace manufacturing market as of 2014, making it the most common … Read More

Have you heard of ultralight aircraft? Also known as microlight and light-sport aircraft, depending on the country, it encompasses small and lightweight airborne vehicles. When most people think of aircraft, they envision jumbo-sized commercial airliners. While large airliners like the … Read More