Aerospace Engineering

Flight delays are more than just an inconvenience; they can ruin travel plans while disrupting passengers’ daily lives. If you regularly travel by flying, however, you’re bound to encounter some delays. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) says that … Read More

Ever wonder how cockpit windshields protect against bird strikes? The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says that roughly 47 airplanes are struck by birds on any given day. Most bird strikes involve the cockpit windshield. A bird or flock of … Read More

The wings of a typical airplane have a leading edge and a trailing edge. Both of these edges play an important role in the flight dynamics of modern-day airplanes. Most airplanes today don’t have flat, fixed wings. Rather, they have … Read More

An attitude indicator is an important type of flight instrument. Located in the cockpit — as part of the six-pack of flight instruments — it reveals the airplane’s position relative to the Earth’s horizon. Whether you’re flying a turbofan or … Read More

Turbofan engines are synonymous with modern-day airplanes. Also known as fanjets, they are airbreathing engines that generate propulsion by releasing a stream of air and combustion gas out a nozzle. Most commercial airplanes are powered by turbofan engines. While they … Read More

Not all airliners are narrow body or wide body. There are also regional airliners, which are characterized by their small size. Regional airliners have fewer than 100 seats. They are still used by commercial airlines to provide flight services, but … Read More

Airbreathing jet engines play an important role in the commercial aviation industry. While smaller commercial airplanes are often powered by one or more propeller engines, such as a turboprop, larger commercial airplanes typically use airbreathing jet engines. As propulsion generators, … Read More

Ever wonder how often landing gear tires last? With the exception of seaplanes, most airplanes have multiple tires as part of their landing gear assemblies. The Boeing 777, for instance, features over a dozen tires. They are designed to absorb … Read More

Do you know the difference between airspeed and groundspeed? In the world of aviation, they are two essential flight metrics that pilots must monitor. While airspeed and groundspeed may sound self-explanatory, however, they each use their own formula. Here’s everything … Read More