What Is a Stick Pusher and How Does It Work?

Stalling is a concern for pilots. When the critical angle attack of an airplane’s wings is exceeded, the amount of lift generated by the airplane will decrease and its drag will increase. This phenomenon is known as a stall, and … Read More

What Is a Touch-and-Go Landing?

Have you heard of touch-and-go landings? It’s a common flight maneuver performed by pilots in training. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), commercial pilots need 1,500 hours of training. During their training, many pilots will perform touch-and-go landings to … Read More

5 Facts About Composite Materials in the Aerospace Industry

Airplanes today are no longer made entirely of traditional metals and alloys. Many of them now feature composite materials in their construction. Composite materials are characterized by the use of multiple materials, such as a reinforcing fiber and a matrix. … Read More

Why Airlines Weigh Luggage

Weighing luggage is a common practice in the commercial aviation industry. Whether you’re taking a domestic or international flight, the airline will probably weigh your luggage prior to boarding. If your luggage exceeds the airline’s maximum weight, you may have … Read More

Why Do Airplanes Have Unusable Fuel?

Airplanes rely on fuel to power their engines. Most airplanes use a specific type of kerosene-based jet fuel, such as Jet A, Jet A1 or Jet B. Kerosene-based fuels such as these have a higher flash point than gasoline, meaning … Read More

What Are Passenger Service Units?

Commercial airliners have evolved over the years to offer passengers a more enjoyable and comfortable experience. In addition to upgraded seats and free in-flight meals, many of them feature Passenger Service Units (PSUs). What are PSUs exactly, and why do … Read More

6 Facts About Airport Runways

Runways play an essential role in commercial aviation. As you may know, they are stretches of natural or manmade surfaces on the ground that airplanes use for takeoffs and landings. All airports have runways. They provide pilots with a safe … Read More

Do Airplanes Have Windshield Wipers?

Windshield wipers aren’t limited to cars, trucks and other automobiles. They are commonly found on many other types of vehicles, including airplanes. Commercial airplanes use windshield wipers to improve visibility during bad weather. When activated, the wipers will move back … Read More

Airplane Seats: What Is Seat Pitch?

If you work in the aviation industry, you may have heard of the term “seat pitch.” It’s commonly used to describe the legroom in cabins. For a better understanding of seat pitch, keep reading. Overview of Seat Pitch Seat pitch … Read More