The ICAO, or International Civil Aviation Organization, is the successor to ICAN, the International Commission for Air Navigation. The ICAO is a United Nations organization funded by 193 countries, that supports their diplomacy and researches new airport policy. The...
Wind socks, most commonly spelled as one word, and sometimes referred to as wind vanes, are flexible cones covered in fabric, used to show the speed and direction of wind. Wind socks are mostly used in airports or airfields, but can also be found on the sides of...
The convenient and luxurious appeal of flying via helicopter has lead to an array of heliports and helipads around the world. From super yachts to mega mansions, rugged mountains where the air is thin, and waterless basins filled with smooth river rocks, these places...
Airports consists of a variety of lights, all flashing and illuminating in different colors. When it comes to the question of what color airport taxiway lights are, the viewer needs to take one important aspect into account: taxiways aren’t the same as runways. A...
Have you ever driven at night in area with few to no lights? Imagine an airplane pilot having to do the same while on a busy runway. This very thought seems absurd and goes to show how airport lighting is integral for safe airport operations, especially in the dark....
Even the most perceptive frequent flyer may not understand what they’re looking at when looking out a plane window and at a bustling runway where the curious ongoings on baggage handlers and maintenance technicians take place. These flyers may witness an onslaught of...
Airplanes are amazing inventions. Prior to airplanes, travelers had to rely on horses, buggies, trains, and ships, which took days, weeks, or even months for commuters to arrive at their destinations, whereas the longest nonstop flight is a little over 18 hours. This...
Inclement, or physically severe stormy weather, can be a challenge for pilots, and frightening experience for anxious passengers. However, pilots are trained to take safety precautions in case of bad weather, and planes are designed to endure fierce winds, rain, ice,...