What are passenger pods and why don’t we use them?
Modular aircraft are one of those things that look extremely good on paper, but despite a long history…
Aviation Explained
49 articles
Simplify complex aviation concepts with our easy-to-understand explanations and expert insights. Knowledge at your fingertips.
Why aren’t airliners equipped with anti-missile defense systems?
As El Al’s Boeing 737 took off for the first commercial flight between Israel and United Arab Emirates,…
Could helicopters solve the Suez canal blockage?
With the Ever Given container ship blocking the Suez canal ‒ and 10% of the world’s trade with…
Story behind name: why is it called Airbus A380?
Just recently, the last superjumbo rolled out of its hangar and departed for its maiden flight. While the…
Air Force One, the flying White House
From AeroTime Archives | This article was written and originally published on November 16, 2018.If there is one…
Why does every Airbus aircraft start with a 3?
The confetti was just cleaned up after the whole aviation community celebrated the 50th anniversary of Airbus less…
What each Boeing airliner does: a visual guide | Data
What is the difference between Boeing 777-300ER and 787-8? Those numbers, stacked behind the manufacturer’s name, are difficult.…
Snow, ice & A380 fan hub: BEA releases video on unusual recovery
The French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis (BEA) released a documentary on an unusual aviation safety operation. The…
The rabbit hole of aviation world record claims
Everybody likes when aviation records get broken. Those events are tremendous technical achievements and a rare case of…
How dangerous is a lightning strike for an aircraft?
Lightning is a sudden high-voltage discharge of electricity that occurs within a cloud, between separate clouds, or between…
Boeing 777X, future widebody with folding wings
Boeing’s current flagship airliner, the 747-8, will see the end of its production in 2022. In the same…
How dangerous is bird strike on airplane?
A bird strike occurs when a moving airplane collides with a bird. The bird can hit any part…
Why planes leave white trails in the air
On a sunny day, when the sky is blue and clear, you can usually spot white trails left…
How dangerous is turbulence for a plane and passengers
Turbulence is a concern that has bothered every air traveler at least once in their life. It might…
How planes are tested
The jets have to undergo several rigorous tests before airlines can buy them. This is one of the…
Who are US air marshals and how do they work?
Federal air marshals are often referred to as “quiet professionals” in the skies. They have been on American…
Who is the world’s youngest in the aviation industry?
It is pretty sweet to be the youngest in the family or a group of friends. Although what…
How black boxes work and help investigate plane crashes?
Plane crashes often leave a lot of unanswered questions. This makes investigators turn to the airplane’s black boxes…