What Is Flight Level in Aviation?

The field of aviation encompasses some rather confusing concepts, one of which is flight level. Many people assume that flight level is just another term used to describe an airplane’s altitude. While they both represent how high an airplane is, … Read More

What Is Wing Planform in Aerospace Design?

Aerospace design encompasses many different concepts, one of which is wing planform. All fixed-wing aircraft have a wing planform. It represents the shape of a fixed-wing aircraft. But wing planform affects more than just the aircraft’s appearance. To learn more … Read More

How Do Airplanes Communicate with Air Traffic Control?

Statistics show that there are nearly 10,000 active flights at any given time. Even with all of these flights, accidents are rare. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the accident rate for airplanes is roughly 1.21 per million sectors, … Read More

What Is Thrust-to-Weight Ratio and Why Is It Important?

Are you familiar with thrust-to-weight ratio? It’s commonly used in the aviation industry. Commercial airlines must consider their airplanes’ thrust-to-weight ratio. Among other things, it will affect an airplane’s ability to take off, climb and maneuver. What is thrust-to-weight ratio … Read More

How Do Airplanes Manage Fuel Consumption During Long-Haul Flights?

Fuel consumption is a concern for long-haul flights. Some flights only last about a half-hour. Others, however, last for up to 12 hours. Known as long-haul flights, they require more fuel than shorter flights. There are ways for airplanes to … Read More

What Are COTS Connectors and How Do They Work?

When shopping for electrical connectors, you may come across commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) connectors. They are versatile, cost-effective connectors that are used in a variety of industries, including the aerospace industry. What are COTS connectors exactly, and how do they work? … Read More

6 Interesting Facts About Tailplanes

Tailplanes play an important role in modern-day aviation. Also known as horizontal stabilizers, they are lifting surfaces located on the tail of an airplane. Airplanes, of course, rely on more than just their wings to generate lift; they feature other … Read More

What Is a Turbojet Engine and How Does It Work?

Not all jet engines are the same. There are over a half-dozen different types of jet engines, some of which include turboprop, ramjet, pulsejet and turbojet. Turbojet is one of the oldest types of jet engines. Turbojet engines are highly … Read More

How Are Airplanes Maintained and Serviced?

Airplanes must adhere to strict maintenance and servicing schedules. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), U.S.-based airlines carried over 800 million passengers in 2022. To ensure a safe flying experience, airlines must follow a maintenance and servicing … Read More