February 12, 2019

How do airplanes land?

To land the plane, the pilot lines it up with the runway many miles from the airport. Then he or she slowly reduces engine power, in […]
February 12, 2019

Why are some plane rides bumpy?

It hits you like a speed bump out of thin air – literally. The plane lurches, your orange juice sloshes on the tray table, and the […]
February 12, 2019

Why do airplanes have pressurized cabins?

You can neither see it nor feel it, but the air around you is both crucial to your survival and actually weighs something (which is why […]
February 12, 2019

Why can sailboats sail into the wind?

Seeing a sailboat travel downwind makes sense even to landlubbers. The wind pushes the sails and the boat moves forward. But seeing a sailboat travel upwind […]