How Do Pilots Steer an Airplane While on the Ground
A common misconception held by many is that the yoke or side stick is used by pilots to steer an airplane when it's on the ground, encompassing taxiways and runways.…
Why Do Airplanes Dump Fuel and How Does It Work?
You may have come across the phrase "fuel dump" in relation to airplanes. If you've ever seen what appears to be white smoke trailing from the edge of an aircraft's…
APU: The Jet-Like Noise on a Plane While Boarding
Ever wondered about that loud jet-like noise you hear as you board a plane? It's not the engines starting up, but the noise of the Auxiliary Power Unit, or APU.…
Reverse Thrust: Slowing Down a Plane After Landing
In an earlier article, we explored various methods pilots use to decelerate an aircraft after landing. One such technique is the application of reverse thrust. If you've ever been on…
Why the Avro RJ100 and BAe-146 Have No Reverse Thrust
The Avro RJ100, also known as the BAe-146, is an interesting and unique aircraft. With its four engines, high wing, T-tail design, and broad body, it stands out among other…
The Story Behind Why Airplane Windows are Round
Have you ever pondered why airplane windows are round, and not square or rectangular like the ones we see in buildings? This seemingly subtle design aspect plays an indispensable role…
An Aircraft’s Age is Not Determined by Years in Service
Like many people, I used to believe that an aircraft's age was simply determined by the number of years it had been in service. Consequently, I would always opt for…
The Reason Why Airbus Planes Use a Side-Stick
When it comes to flying an airplane, the pilot’s control over the aircraft is paramount to safety. As such, Airbus has been using a side-stick instead of a traditional yoke…
Flight Control Surfaces of an Airplane
Some of you may be wondering how an airplane maneuvers in the sky. This is brought about by flight control surfaces which I will talk about here. Aircraft flight control…
That Peculiar Barking Dog Sound on an Airbus A320
If you've flown on a local airline in the Philippines, there's a high chance you've flown on an Airbus A320. During your flight on the A320, you may have noticed…