Eye-opening facts we did not know about
aviation (Source: BRIGHT SIDE)
a. Why are aircraft windows round?
In the beginning of the 1950s, de Havilland
developed “Comet”, the world’s first commercial
jet airliner. It was literally a miracle. But a year
later, it fell to pieces in the sky. In the next several
months, two more airplanes crashed.
Engineers conducted a diagnosis of each screw
of the aircraft and found the problem: the windows
were square. The thing is, pressure builds more
around the corners of square windows and this
pressure only increases during a flight. Therefore
it was decided to make windows round. Thanks to
this decision, flights are much safer now.
b. Why do airplanes have curved wing tips?
During a flight, the pressure is lower on top of the
wing than it is under the wing. The air tends to
move from the high pressure below the wing to the
low pressure above the wing around the wingtips.
In the past, wingtips were straight, and the airflow
caused severe turbulence.
So scientists decided to bend the wingtips
upward to reduce turbulence, prolong the wings’
durability, and save a lot of fuel during travel.
Thanks to this feature, we feel more comfortable
during a flight.
c. Why do planes have different nose shapes?
The nose of military aircraft is pointed. The sharper
the nose is, the faster an aircraft is. But a longer
nose keeps pilots from seeing the runway properly,
that’s why passenger jets have rounded noses.
But Russian engineers solved this problem
in the 60s. They invented the fastest passenger
jet that was able to tilt its nose. While taking off
and landing, the aircraft tilted its nose downward.
During a flight, the nose was brought back to its
starting position.
This strange design has a purpose: it helps
pilots see the runway better.
d. Why are airplanes oddly shaped?
You’ve probably heard about an aircraft that is
also called a stealth aircraft. It’s oddly shaped for
one simple reason: its shape makes it less visible
to radar, sonar, infrared, and other detection
‟
Designers use several
tricks to make aircrafts look
bigger and more spacious
than they actually are. For
example, the walls have
a certain shape to reflect
the light correctly. The
illumination between the
ceiling and overhead bins
makes the ceiling visually
higher.
methods. What’s more, it allows the aircraft to
carry more luggage and consume less fuel.
The aircraft’s shape was inspired by birds.
Predatory birds use this position to increase
their flight range and become less visible. Such
aircrafts are too expensive so they aren’t used in
civil aviation.
e. How do planes look spacious?
Designers use several tricks to make aircrafts look
bigger and more spacious than they actually are.
For example, the walls have a certain shape to
reflect the light correctly. The illumination between
the ceiling and overhead bins makes the ceiling
visually higher. Thanks to these tricks, it is easier
for people who suffer from claustrophobia to travel
by plane.
f. Why don’t pilots have beards?
Some airlines don’t allow pilots to have beards.
The thing is, facial hair may stop the oxygen
mask from fitting securely on the pilot’s face and
operating properly. In case of an emergency, pilots
must stay conscious to be able to save people’s
lives.
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