The language of aviation is filled with unusual and perhaps enigmatic terms and expressions. There is a language unique to the aviation industry that is used everywhere from the cockpit to the runway. One such word that could leave some people perplexed is “yoke.” Why is it therefore called a yoke?
The control column that is used to control the plane’s pitch and roll is referred to as the “yoke” in an aircraft’s cockpit. The yoke resembles the yoke typically used to tether oxen and other draft animals in appearance. As both allow the operator to steer and control the movement of their respective vehicles, they are related by the concept of control.
“Kias” is another word used in aviation that could cause confusion. “Knots indicated airspeed,” or kias, is a unit of measurement for an aircraft’s speed through the air. The indicated airspeed, which is expressed in knots, is the rate at which the air is moving over the wings of the aircraft. The name “knots” originates from the field of navigation, where a ship’s speed is expressed in knots, or nautical miles per hour.
Safety is the top priority when it comes to air travel, and clearing snow and ice off runways is an essential part of safety. While salt is frequently applied to roads to melt snow and ice, it is not frequently used to runways at airports. Airports utilize specialized machinery such as plows, blowers, and deicing chemicals to keep runways free because salt can harm aircraft and create corrosion.
It is somewhat of a myth that large aircraft have keys. Larger commercial airplanes do not require keys to start the engine, unlike certain smaller aircraft. Instead, they start the engines using a sequence of switches and buttons, just like you would a car with a push-button ignition.
In summary, aviation vocabulary has a rich and fascinating history that frequently draws from maritime and agricultural phrases. Understanding these phrases helps make the aviation industry less mysterious and more approachable to individuals outside the sector.
The type of door, the plane’s altitude, and whether or not the door is locked all affect one’s ability to open the door. Due to the pressure difference between the cabin and outside air, the doors of the majority of commercial aircraft cannot be opened while the aircraft is in flight. However, in event of an emergency, some emergency exits or cargo doors can be opened from the inside while in flight. Additionally, the doors can be opened if the engines have been turned off and the aircraft is on the ground. It’s crucial to remember that trying to open a plane door while it’s in flight without permission can be risky and against the law.