Why do we measure speed as a Mach number?

Why do we measure speed as a Mach number?

Mach number describes the speed of sound, which changes with the density of the medium it is travelling through.

When you reach the speed of sound, the compressibility effect creates a supersonic flow along the wing if you exceed a certain mach number.

This causes airflow separation and flutter.

It is therefore much safer and much easier to use a Mach number to express a limit at which compressibility effects start to tear the aircraft apart, as it is a constant value at all altitudes.

Tell me, I was looking out the window and I saw white strokes coming out of the engines at cruising level, but I didn’t see it from an aircraft taking off, why is that and what is the difference?

Tell me, I was looking out the window and I saw white strokes coming out of the engines at cruising level, but I didn’t see it from an aircraft taking off, why is that and what is the difference?

Those are contrails.

The jet engine exhaust gases consist of carbon dioxide and water vapour.

At high altitudes the wator vapour gets released in a very cold environment. This can cause the air to be saturated with water vapour and then condenses. If cold enough the condense can freeze into white droplets. This forms the contrails.

Why does the speed tape on the PFD reads 45kt when the aircraft is stationary?

Why does the speed tape on the PFD reads 45kt when the aircraft is stationary?

The speed is too low for an indication.

If you are flying your light twin, how would you ensure minimum obstacle clearance if your engine fails on take off? How would you do this, or, where can you find the relevant information?

If you are flying your light twin, how would you ensure minimum obstacle clearance if your engine fails on take off? How would you do this, or, where can you find the relevant information?

In the airplane documents, as the airplane is certificated regarding performance to be able to fly blue line speed (or Vyse) in this situation, so I would climb at this speed to ensure minimum obstacle clearance.

Why are NDB powered so that they only have a range between 15-25 miles?

Why are NDB powered so that they only have a range between 15-25 miles?

NDB’s can suffer from a lot of errors.

What is DOM?

What is DOM?

The Dry Operating Mass (DOM) is the Basic Empty Mass and the Variable Load, also called the Aircraft Prepared for Service (APS) weight.

What is a Great Circle?

What is a Great Circle?

A line of shortest distance between two points on a sphere.

How does TCAS work?

How does TCAS work?

TCAS works by sending interrogations to other aircraft's transponders.

The transponder will reply to the interrogation in a similar way it responds to radar. From the time difference between the interrogation and the reply, the distance to the other aircraft is calculated. The reply itself contains the altitude of the other aircraft.

The distance and the altitude difference with the other aircraft is tracked to identify a trend which may result in a TA or eventually a RA.

Is the landing gear in the Seneca electrically or hydraulically operated?

Is the landing gear in the Seneca electrically or hydraulically operated?

We are missing the answer.

What is wing loading?

What is wing loading?

Wing loading is the loaded weight of the aircraft divided by the area of the wing.

The faster an aircraft flies, the more lift is produced by each unit area of the wing. Correspondingly, the landing and take-off speeds will be higher and the high wing loading also decreases maneuverability.

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