Tag: video answers

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Video answers: ‘Why does the rudder always point to the right?’

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. On a small plane, it’s usually controlled by pedals which are directly connected to cables to change the position of the rudder. On an Airbus the movements of the side stick generate an electric impulse which is sent to the flight control computer, then the actuators, then a hydraulic system which moves the rudder into position.
  2. When the engines are turned off, hydraulic pressure decreases and the actuators don’t have the pressure to keep the rudder in a neutral position. So in reality, the rudder moves in the direction that the wind is blowing.

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Video answers: ‘Small planes over big oceans’

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. The belief was that if they lost a single engine, they would only be able to fly for an hour with the one remaining engine and so, for security reasons they couldn’t fly more than an hour from a coastal airport.
  2. They couldn’t make a profit on many routes, so the big planes only operated into and out of big cities.
  3. They became popular as a way to avoid twin-engine restrictions while also having a lower cost than four-engine planes.
  4. It came from the days of piston-engine aircraft. These engines were much less reliable and often broke down.
  5. An airline also needs a special maintenance plan, a special flight crew, a special cabin crew, special dispatchers, special fuel quantities and special passenger recovery plans.
  6. The 787 has an ETOPS rating of 330 minutes and the A350 has an ETOPS rating of 370 minutes.
  7. Because of the bigger ETOPS ratings, three and four engine jets are becoming less and less common.

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Video answers: ‘Electric VTOL taxi network’

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. It’s planning an elevate network that will use electrically powered aircraft to transport people.
  2. This type of aircraft is being called eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing).
  3. Big players such as Aurora Flight Sciences, Bell Helicopters, Airbus Helicopters and Embraer are working on VTOL (or eVTOL) designs.
  4. Plans are also being made to adapt air traffic control systems to accommodate unmanned aircraft flying in dense built-up areas.
  5. The focus point for this development has been Dallas, Texas so far.

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Video answers: ‘Airbus side stick’

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. It allows control of both pitch and roll.
  2. If both pilots use their side sticks at the same time the computer sums up the inputs, however the sum is limited to the maximum deflection of a single side stick.
  3. There will be a green flashing side stick priority light and a continuous aural warning of ‘dual input’.
  4. It has two switches; a dual function autopilot disconnect switch which can also be used as a priority takeover push button. At the front of the side stick is a communication push to talk switch.
  5. When the autopilot is engaged the side stick is locked in a neutral position. This can be heard and felt by a click but can also be overridden with sufficient pressure if necessary.

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Video answers: ‘Is the 747 in trouble?’

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. It’s been dubbed as the queen of the skies.
  2. They recently retired their last 747s.
  3. Only a handful of airlines operate the 747 today.
  4. British Airways has the biggest fleet of 747s nowadays.
  5. They recently spent millions retrofitting some of them.
  6. Low oil prices has persuaded them to keep the plane in service.

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Video answers: ‘Why airlines sell more seats than they have’

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. It’s called the no-show rate.
  2. They base their estimates on complicated systems that take into account the route and date.
  3. Many passengers miss their connections because 25% of domestic US flights arrive late.
  4. Passengers miss Sunday flights less because they are likely to be travelling for work on the following day.
  5. They choose passengers who have the ‘least merit’ to be on a flight or who have the ‘least value’ to the airline on paper. The computer will choose those people who checked in last or have a low or no frequent flier status.
  6. Passengers can check in early, even online, and get their boarding pass to help their chances of not being bumped off a flight. Having a frequent flier account, even with few points in it can also help make sure passengers fly on their flight.

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