8 things we didn't know about aviation

Why are airplane windows round? Why do airplanes have curved wingtips? Why do passengers always board planes on the left side?

Everything related to aircraft is well planned and thought out. Perhaps this is the main reason why flying is the safest way to travel.

We will answer the 8 most popular questions about aircraft.

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2. Why do airplanes have curved wingtips?

During the flight, the pressure at the top of the wing is lower than at the bottom of the wing. The air tends to move from high pressure below the wing to low pressure above the wing around the wingtips. In the past, the wingtips were straight and the airflow caused a lot of turbulence. So the scientists decided to bend the wingtips upwards to reduce turbulence, extend the life of the wings, and save a lot of fuel when traveling. Thanks to this feature, we feel more comfortable during the flight.

3. Why do planes have different nose shapes?

The nose of a military aircraft is pointed. The sharper the nose, the faster the plane. But a longer nose makes it difficult for pilots to see the runway properly, which is why passenger planes have rounded noses. But Russian engineers solved this problem in the 60s. They invented the fastest passenger plane that could tilt its nose. During takeoff and landing, the aircraft tilted its nose down. During the flight, the nose was returned to its original position.

4. Why are the planes painted white?

Aircraft are almost always painted white. There are several reasons for this: Thermal reflection. If the aircraft is painted white, it accumulates less heat. This is better for passengers and cost-effective for airlines. White paint is cheaper. Birds are better at seeing reflections off white surfaces and for this reason do not often collide with aircraft. White paint helps to reveal even small cracks and dents.

5. Why is the exit on the left?

Not all, but most aircraft have the main passenger entrance on the left side. There are various theories explaining this fact. The right side is for luggage (cargo hatches are also on the right), so it's not safe for passengers. Some people say that this is a tradition of the past: the ramps of the ships were always on the left.

6. Why are some planes oddly shaped?

You must have heard of the aircraft, which is also called the stealth aircraft. It has an odd shape for one simple reason: its shape makes it less visible to radar, sonars, infrared, and other detection methods. Moreover, it allows the aircraft to carry more baggage and consume less fuel.

7. How spacious do planes look?

Designers use several tricks to make planes look bigger and more spacious than they really are. For example, walls are shaped to reflect light correctly. Lighting between the ceiling and the upper drawers makes the ceiling appear higher. These tricks make it easier for claustrophobic people to travel by plane.

8. Why don't pilots have beards?

Some airlines do not allow pilots to have beards. This is because facial hair can prevent the oxygen mask from fitting securely to the pilot's face and working properly. In case of emergency, pilots must remain conscious in order to be able to save lives.