Why Fighter Jets are so Loud Compared to Commercial Aircraft?
Commercial aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 have four engines, whereas a Lockheed F-16 fighter jet only has one engine. But how come the sound of one F-16…
Is the Boeing 737 MAX Still a Safe Plane?
The Boeing 737 MAX series is once again in the spotlight after the door plug on a 737 MAX 9 of Alaska Airlines suddenly blew out during midflight. While this…
Understanding Why a Plane’s Landing Gears are Tilted
If you've ever seen a plane landing, particularly if you're a plane spotter, you might have noticed that the main landing gears are often tilted as they approach the runway.…
Why Turboprops Cannot Fly as High as Jet Aircraft
If there is one thing you may notice when flying on a turboprop aircraft compared to a jet aircraft, it's that you don't fly as high in a turboprop. I…
Yes, Small Planes Can Fly as High as Big Commercial Jets
There is this certain notion which I have heard too that small planes, maybe referring to turboprops, and even smaller private jets, don't fly as high as big commercial jets.…
Why Planes Don’t Just Carry an Extra Engine Under the Wing
You may have come across images of Boeing 747s and Lockheed L1011 Tristars sporting an extra engine beneath one of their wings. For instance, a Boeing 747 might be seen…
Those Lines Above Aircraft Doors are Rain Gutters
When you board an aircraft, you might notice a diagonal or straight line just above the door. Have you ever wondered what these are? They're not just there for decoration.…
Why Aircraft Tires Deflate After High Energy Rejected Take-Off
I am certain that you've come across news reports featuring deflated airplane tires following a rejected take-off or an emergency landing soon after take-off. Some might speculate that the tires…
How the Boeing 737 MAX’s Split Winglets Work
The fin-like structures on the wingtips of a plane, known as winglets, are not just for aesthetic purposes; they serve a specific function to make a plane fly more efficiently.…
High Bypass Turbofan Engines are Not Meant for Small Planes
You may have observed that jet engines on commercial aircraft are getting larger. This is due to their use of high bypass turbofan engines. To understand more about high bypass…