| The early model Boeing 747 aircrafts featured a design that is no longer found in other commercial aircraft. What is it? |
- Spiral staircase. The spiral staircase was considered a safety hazard in emergencies so no other plane adopted the design. Instead they have turned to straight stair designs and retractable stairs.
 The MD-80 is the updated version of which airplane? |
- DC-9. The DC-9 is a workhorse that has been flying for more than 30 years. It is generally used for short haul.
| When a flight is addressed as "heavy", as in "Delta five eight heavy, cleared for landing runway 28 left", what does heavy mean? |
- Gross weight of more than 250,000 pounds. Some of the "heavy" aircraft are: 747, 767, 777, DC10.
| The first two engine passenger aircraft immediately certificated for Transatlantic/Transpacific flights without the normal 'two-year-in- service' wait is a Boeing. Which? |
- 777. The dynamic brake test in the testing phase of this aircraft's development cost more than $1,000,000 per test.
| How many cockpit crew are normally assigned to a transoceanic 747 flight? |
- Four. Usually but not always, one extra pilot to rotate rest periods.
| Virgin Atlantic Airways at one time carried a piano and pianist on board its Transatlantic flights. |
- True. The owner and founder of Virgin Atlantic Records, Richard Branson also dabbled with an on board casino, and many other innovative features.
| What does the term DME mean to aviation? |
- Distance measuring equipment. A device to advise the pilot how far to/from a given location.
| Where is the Embraer aircraft manufactured? |
- Brazil. It has become a very popular aircraft for short haul flights. Used primarily by regional airlines.
| The original model of the Boeing 707 was nicknamed what? |
- Water Wagon. The 707 initially carried a lot of water that assisted the engines with takeoff thrust.
| The seating configuration of the 747 is normally nine or ten seats across. What is the normal configuration of the 767? |
- Seven across. With two aisles, it has the lowest percentage of "middle" seats, i.e. not a window or aisle. One of my favorite airplanes.
