Sunday Quiz ‘Above us only sky’
Pointed nose: Military aircrafts' unique feature.
START THE QUIZ
1 / 10 |
On August 30, 1968, this gigantic plane was rolled out by Boeing and shown to the public for the first time. It was their fourth commercial aircraft and the first twin-aisle aircraft. Since that day it has flown more than five billion people and has logged more than 78 billion kilometres, equivalent to 101,500 trips to the moon and back. During an evacuation operation one flight even managed to carry an astonishing 1,087 people. It is so long it would take Usain Bolt seven seconds to cover its length. Which plane, known as a ‘jumbo jet’, was this?
2 / 10 |
The lifespan of an airliner is not truly measured in time. Instead, it is counted based on a certain process done regularly during takeoff and landing that causes stress to the fuselage and wings, and over time results in issues. However, it must still be done because it protects the pilot, crew and passengers from hypoxia. The process is carried out by pumping in air to mimic a certain condition found at sea level. What condition is this which at sea level is 14.7 PSI?
3 / 10 |
In 1999, Alaska Airlines (AA) became the first airline to offer an option that is commonplace now. The main function of this process is to accept luggage that is to go in the aircraft’s cargo hold, and issue boarding passes, and AA made this easier and faster by embracing technology. When done correctly, the passenger doesn’t need to meet any airline staff till they board the aircraft. What is this option that frequent fliers are very grateful for?
4 / 10 |
There are two theories about the strange name of this section of an aircraft. One was that it’s an old navy term for a space at the rear of a boat, occupied by the coxswain. The other is that it supposedly resembles the small round arena used for an ancient bloodsport between two animals (which still takes place in India). What alluring but off-limits section of an aircraft is this?
5 / 10 |
In August 1979, Qantas announced a new way to travel on routes between Australia and the U.S. For an increase of 15% above the standard, you could enjoy a new cabin with bigger seats that were arranged in pairs and had more legroom. Passengers also got a special menu and free headsets to listen to the radio. What was this the first instance of in flying history?
6 / 10 |
The noses of military aircraft are pointed because the sharper the nose, the faster the aircraft can travel. But a longer nose keeps pilots from seeing the runway properly, which is why passenger jets have rounded noses. In the 1960s Russian engineers solved this problem for the Tupolev Tu-144, and the iconic Concorde too had the same system installed. Known as a ‘droop nose’, what does this system allow an aircraft to do?
Answer : While taking off and landing, the aircraft tilts its nose downward, and during a flight the nose was brought back to its starting position.
SHOW ANSWER
7 / 10 |
Various rules are imposed by different airlines during flight. However, there is one rule that is common to most of them, concerning the food served on board to the crew. This rule was introduced after a case of food poisoning almost caused a disaster on board a flight. What is this rule that ensures that responsibility for the aircraft is always maintained even if one member is compromised?
Answer : The pilot and co-pilot have to take different meals; they can never eat the same food.
SHOW ANSWER
8 / 10 |
Some airlines have strict rules for their pilots when it comes to a certain characteristic, because in case of an emergency, pilots must stay conscious to be able to save people’s lives. The reasoning is that if a pilot had this feature it may stop the oxygen mask from fitting securely on his face and operating properly. A 2018 study done by Simon Fraser University using a hypobaric chamber proved that under certain conditions this feature can be allowed. Based on this, Air Canada allowed its pilots a maximum length of 1.25 cm. What is this feature that wouldn’t be a problem if the pilot was a lady?
9 / 10 |
The world’s first commercial jet airliner was the Comet by de Havilland, but it had several structural integrity issues. One major discovery was that pressure built up more around the corners of a particular part of the aircraft, and at high altitudes this led to damage. This issue was solved by simply changing the shape from square to round or oval. What is this part that is usually square or rectangular in buses, trains and cars but characteristically round in planes?
10 / 10 |
Liverpool airport in 2001 became the first airport in the U.K. to be named after an individual, when it renamed itself after one of the most famous residents of the city. The dedication is further emphasised by the fitting motto of the airport, ‘Above us only sky’, which is a line taken from one of the most famous songs written by this person. Who is the airport named after and from which song is the motto taken?
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air transport / The Hindu Quizzes / The Hindu Sunday Magazine
