Pop the Hood
Commercial Aviation
Air Disasters
FAA Acronyms
Privileges & Limitations
400
The recommended temperature your engine should be when checking the oil
What is warm?
400
Aircraft start-up Boom Supersonic is one step closer to bringing back supersonic passenger travel with its flagship Overture jet. It's been 17 years since the last supersonic passenger flight by this aircraft
What is Concorde?
400
The deadliest event in aviation history, two 747s collided in dense fog on the runway on this island
What is Tenerife?
400
PIC
What is Pilot in Command?
400
Private Pilots must hold a minimum of this class medical
What is a 3rd class?
800
Attached to the aircraft firewall with only a few bolts, this is the only structure holding the engine and other power plant parts and accessories in place
What is an engine mount?
800
Epaulettes worn on each shoulder equate to a pilots status. Four stripes represent this rank
What is Captain?
800
A Taca Airlines 737 encountered heavy rain and suffered dual engine failure. The one-eyed captain successfully performed a power off landing, safely putting down on a levy in this U.S. city
What is New Orleans?
800
FAA
What is the Federal Aviation Administration?
800
You cannot fly in conditions not suitable for visual flight rules, unless you have this rating
What is an Instrument Rating?
1200
The average this fires 8 million times during 100 hours of flight. It is built to withstand temperatures of 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, pressures of 2,000 psi, and 24,000 volts. Don't foul it up!
What is a spark plug?
1200
Since 1980, Rhapsody in Blue is used by this airline for advertisements, pre-flight safety videos, and in the Terminal 1 underground walkway at Chicago O'Hare International Airport
What is United Airlines?
1200
In the late 1950's airliner windows were changed to this shape, due to a large number of de Havilland Comets disintegrating in mid air
What is oval?
1200
TFR
What is Temporary Flight Restriction?
1200
With this type of license, you can only fly aircraft with a maximum of 2 seats, and your aircraft cannot exceed 1,320 lbs. at takeoff and landing (on land)
What is a Sport Pilot License?
1600
Most aircraft alternators are powered by this item that is connected to your engine's crank shaft. When they wear out and break, your alternator comes to a screeching halt, and so does your flow of electricity from the alternator.
What is a belt?
1600
Originally designed by Imperial Airways, this symbol became a design classic, used by the airline and its successors – British Overseas Airways Corporation and British Airways – for 52 years. The symbol's name is still used as the callsign for British Airways to this day.
What is "Speedbird"?
1600
This regional carrier's 2009 flight from Newark to Buffalo crashed due to icing and the pilot's inappropriate response to stall warnings. This crash led to several FAA regulation changes, including raising the ATP minimums to 1,500 hours for both pilot and co pilot
What is Colgan Air?
1600
FSDO
What is the Flight Standards District Office?
1600
On flights with passengers you cannot fly for hire, however, you can share expenses, or get this type of compensation for the operational costs of the airplane
What is Pro-rata?
2000
This is used to mix air and fuel in the proper ratio for combustion in the airplane’s engine
What is the Carburetor?
2000
Operating from 1928 to 1982, this airline was famous for its avantgarde livery and slogans like, "When you've got it- flaunt it"
What is Braniff?
2000
Eastern Airlines Flight 401 crashed due to the flight crews preoccupation with a malfunction of this indicating system
What is the landing gear position indicating system?
2000
VOR
What is Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range?
2000
A Private Pilot may not fly at an altitude that is more than this distance above mean sea level
What is 18,000 feet?