In order for planes to fly safely and efficiently, they must go high into the sky; after all, they are airplanes. However, being 30,000-40,000 feet in the air isn't the best scenario for the people in the plane due to thinner air. Compensating for the difference in pressure from sea level to the sky through cabin [...]
When you take a commercial flight in the winter, you may encounter delays due to heavy snow, freezing rain, and other harsh weather conditions. However, weather like this doesn’t stop bush planes--especially in Alaska. Alaskan bush flying is a specialized area requiring pilots to navigate Alaska's wild mountains and roadless geography. Only the most experienced [...]
Noel Wien, a Minnesota native, is largely credited with introducing the airplane to Alaska. Wien took his first ever airplane ride in May of 1921 at 22-years-old. He learned to fly shortly after and relocated to Anchorage, Alaska at 25-years-old with his first aircraft—an open-cockpit Standard J-1 biplane. He performed stunts and gave passenger rides [...]
In the late 1960s, ophthalmologist Dr. David Patan returned to the United States after spending time abroad with a startling truth: 217 million people are visually impaired and 80% of these impairments are avoidable. Dr. Patan worked to make eye care accessible to everyone through mobile stations and educate as many people as possible on [...]
Last night, you may have pulled up the official Santa Tracker for your children to follow Santa Claus’s path around the world on Christmas Eve. The tracker has been following Santa every Christmas Eve for over 60 years, and its origin is a bit surprising. 'Twas the night before Christmas... Col. Harry Shoup [...]
Landing a commercial aircraft smoothly can be challenging. Factors such as how experienced the pilot is and whether there are crosswinds can make or break a landing. If the pilot isn't highly experienced and there are crosswinds on a short landing, the passengers may be uneasy as soon as the wheels touch down. While this [...]
In 1985, the Cessna Aircraft Company began producing what would become one of the most popular aircraft: the Cessna Caravan. The aircraft's 208 airframe can operate under several different environments because of its ability to be fitted with various landing gear, such as floats or skis. A single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine [...]
The United States is home to some of the world's best aviation museums. Whether you were a fighter jet pilot, are a commercial pilot, or are working towards becoming a private pilot, you'll enjoy these aviation attractions. Passengers, engineers, and aeronautic geeks will also marvel at the history of flight. Each attraction has its own [...]
Hilton Hotels and Resorts symbolize the transformation of full-service luxury hotels. Ever since Conrad Hilton opened his first hotel in Waco, Texas in 1927, the company has in some ways set a standard in the hospitality business. Hilton is credited with several firsts in the industry including the first hotel in the world to install [...]
The MiG-21 is flown by over 50 nations and is the most produced supersonic jet fighter. 11,600 MiG-21s were built since entering service in part because its simple design made it easy to manufacture. This plane originates from the Soviet Union and its development began back in the 1950s with a mission to replace the [...]
