Every day, millions of people travel by air around the globe. But even with all that flying, there are plenty of interesting facts about airplanes and air travel that many don’t know about. There are so many interesting facts about airplanes that you probably haven’t heard before!
Let’s dive into these amazing facts! fasten your seat belts!!
Weren’t the Wright Brothers the first ones to fly an airplane?
Did you know that the Wright Brothers weren’t actually the first ones to fly an airplane?
An Indian named Shivkar Talpade actually flew an airplane back in 1895. That’s eight years before the Wright Brothers made their famous flight! But, you know, Shivkar Talpade just stayed under the radar. Vibhu Puri’s Bollywood film Hawaizaada features Ayushmann Khurrana and Mithun Chakraborty, showcasing his legacy.
So, Talpade took to the skies for the first time in 1895, all thanks to Shastri’s guidance, and he called his flight ‘Marutsakh’. So, Marutsakh, which is unmanned and heavier than air, took off from Chowpatty in Mumbai, India reaching an altitude of 1,500 feet.
An aircraft bathroom lock can be opened from outside
If you’re in the bathroom for a long time, the flight attendants might start to worry that something’s wrong. That’s why there’s a secret latch to open the airplane bathroom from the outside. You just have to look under the bathroom sign, and when you flick it, the door swings open. It’s not for passengers to use, but flight attendants can step in if someone gets sick or if a child gets stuck in the bathroom.
Once, an armed airplane hijacker surrendered in exchange for beer:
On a flight to Norway, an armed hijacker hijacked the plane, along with the passengers. Can you believe it? The guy even asked for a beer! A police officer told the hijacker that he couldn’t have a beer unless he handed over his pistol. But later, in exchange for beer, he surrendered. All the flight passengers are safe, and the hijacker has been taken into custody.
Black boxes are not actually black
Even though they’re called ‘flight data recorders’ or ‘cockpit voice recorders’, which we often know as ‘black boxes’, they’re not really black at all. Actually they are bright orange colors!
The bright orange color of the heat-resistant paint on the box’s exterior makes it super easy to spot in case of an accident.
Can a plane still fly if one of its engines fails?
Aircraft are powered by two engines. Only one engine can propel and land an aircraft. If there’s an engine failure, pilots are trained to handle the situation by using a backup engine to steer the plane and land safely at the nearest airport.
You’ve got just 90 seconds to get out of that burning plane!
In a plane crash, it’s not really the impact that takes out most passengers; it’s the fire that typically sweeps through the plane afterward. Surveys show that most people think they have about 30 minutes to get off a burning plane.
You know, it’s pretty wild to think that it only takes around 90 seconds for a plane’s aluminum structure to go up in flames, taking everything and everyone with it.
Most accidents occur during takeoff or landing
Did you know that around 80% of aircraft accidents happen in the first three minutes after takeoff and the last eight minutes before landing? Aviation accidents tend to happen more often when the aircraft is on the ground or close to other planes. Staying alert during these times can really boost your chances of making it through if something goes down.
Why is airplane food not tasty?
Have you ever wondered why airplane food just doesn’t hit the spot? It’s a common thought, right?
You know, a lot of the time, the food you get on a flight just doesn’t have much flavor. You know, the food itself is actually fine, but that weird air pressure in the cabin really messes with our taste buds and leaves us feeling a bit off. Food just doesn’t have any flavor.
Why are there small holes in airplane windows?
You know that little invisible hole in an airplane window? It actually helps manage the air pressure between the windows, which is pretty cool because it keeps them from fogging up. Airplane windows are made from acrylic material, which consists of three layers. The outer and inner layers help control the air pressure both inside and outside the airplane, and there’s this invisible vent in the middle layer that manages the air pressure between those two layers.
How does a pilot know the way?
Pilots use KO radio and radar to find their way. Besides that, there’s air traffic control, which lets the pilot know which way to head and which areas to avoid. But, with the advancement of technology, we’ve seen a bunch of new equipment pop up that helps with navigation. Back in the day, pilots figured out their routes by keeping an eye on the ground, spotting mountains, houses, and railway lines, which all had sensors set up.
Why are airplanes painted white?
So, you know how aircraft are usually painted white? Well, there are a few good reasons behind that choice: Painting an aircraft white helps it store less heat. It’s a better option for travelers. White paint really highlights those little cracks and dents. White paint costs less. Since white surfaces reflect light more effectively, airplanes don’t often collide with birds.
You’re safest in the back seat
Popular Mechanics took a look at airplane crash data from 1971 to 2005, and their researchers discovered that the safest spot on a plane is actually in the back. According to some interesting data from Popular Mechanics, it turns out that sitting further back in a vehicle can actually improve your chances of surviving a crash. Did you know that passengers sitting in the back of the plane actually have around a 40% better chance of surviving compared to those in the front rows? Pretty interesting, right?
Flight attendants and Love
It turns out that more people tend to fall head over heels for flight attendants at first sight compared to anyone else, even restaurant servers and strippers. Interesting, right?
Why do pilots and co-pilots eat different meals?
To avoid any chance of food poisoning, the pilot and co-pilot get different meals while they’re in the air. The pilot has the important job of keeping all the passengers safe while they’re in the air.
More than 80% of the population is afraid of flying
Did you know that over 80% of people around the globe have a fear of flying? This can vary from just feeling anxious while traveling to a more intense feeling where passengers feel completely trapped in a moving vehicle with no escape.
Fear of flying is a well-known problem that many people who fly, especially first-time flyers, suffer from.
FAQs
How many parts does a paper airplane have?
A basic paper airplane has two main parts. The body is the middle part, and the wings are on the sides. The wings help with lift and stability. Paper airplanes use the same aerodynamics as real planes. The wing shape and folding create pressure differences. This allows the paper airplane to fly for a short time.
What are the key parts of an airplane?
An airplane has a few important parts. The fuselage is basically the main part of the plane; the wings are what help it lift off the ground; the engines are responsible for pushing it forward; and the tail keeps everything steady in the air. The landing gear plays a crucial role during takeoff and landing.
What’s the fastest commercial airplane?
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is actually the fastest commercial airplane out there. It can exceed Mach 3, which is over 2,000 miles per hour. So, the United States came up with it back in the Cold War days.
How do airplanes manage to stay up in the air?
Airplanes fly because of aerodynamics and lift. The wings make the air pressure lower on top and higher underneath. This generates a force that pushes against gravity, helping the plane stay in the air.
What is the largest commercial airplane in the world?
The Airbus A380 is the biggest commercial airplane. It has the capacity to carry as many as 853 passengers. It’s got a massive wingspan and length, really showcasing the might of today’s aviation.
So, which one was your favorite? We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
We’re really interested in hearing any other thoughts you have, so feel free to share in the comment box!
I really appreciate you taking the time to read this!
