Aerospace Engineering

Whether it’s powered by Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android operating system, nearly all modern smartphones have airplane mode. Also known as flight mode, it’s a staple feature that, when enabled, disables all radio incoming and outgoing radio signals. The general … Read More

It’s no secret that severe winds and lighting can interfere with commercial flights. If there’s a storm rolling through the airport, commercial airlines may delay their flights until the storm passes. However, you must be surprised to learn that extreme … Read More

Have you ever wondered how airlines choose the names for their airplanes? In the United States, as well as many other countries, it’s not uncommon for commercial airlines to name their airplanes. It’s a common practice that’s been around for … Read More

One of the nation’s biggest airlines has conducted its first official flight with Airbus’s massive A350 jet. On Tuesday, Virgin Atlantic debuted the A350 in a transatlantic flight from London to New York. Dubbed the Red Velvet, this is just … Read More

The typical cruising altitude for commercial airplanes is about 31,000 to 35,000 feet.  Whether it’s a small Cessna or jumbo-sized A320, nearly all commercial airplanes stay within this range except when taking off or landing. As a result, you might … Read More

While the exact number varies, there are typically around 8,000 to 20,000 airplanes in the air at any given time. Some of these flights occur during the daytime, whereas others occur at night. For nighttime flights, airplanes use headlights — … Read More

It’s not uncommon for airplanes to pass under and between two highly pressurized water streams on the runway after landing. With medium- and large-sized commercial airplanes, this is particularly common. If you’re an avid flier, you’ve probably seen water jets … Read More

Airplanes have revolutionized the way in which we travel. At any given time, statistics show there are roughly 5,000 commercial airplanes in the air. While some of these flights are short, connecting two or more cities within the same country, … Read More

Do you tend to fall asleep when flying? Whether it’s a domestic or international flight, most passengers will agree that it’s easy to fall asleep on airplanes — and this fatigue can stay with you long after you land. But … Read More