10 Fun Facts About Aviation That’ll Have You Flying High

Aviation is a large industry that started only a short time ago on the beaches of North Carolina. Since then, new and astonishing advancements have been made in a very short period of time. In just over a century, human flight has gone from impossible fantasy to a ubiquitous part of modern life.

However, while the majority of civilians are accustomed to the notion of flying, there are many interesting facts that they don’t know. Granted, some of these might be common knowledge to the estimated 10,600,000 aviation employees that work in the United States every year, according to the FAA.

Still, we think some of these facts will surprise you:

1. Pilots have to eat different meals. An aircraft pilot is fed the same meal that those in first and business class receive, while the co-pilot has to eat a different meal altogether. This helps avoid both pilots getting food poisoning during the flight.
2. The most famous wide-body commercial airliner, the high quality Boeing 747, is composed of six million parts.
3. Over 80% of the population suffers from some degree of aerophobia, or the fear of flying, even if this fear fades in time. Some of these cases can be broadened to acrophobia, which is the general fear of heights.
4. Despite the popularity of travel via airplane, only 5% of the world’s population has ever actually been on an airplane.
5. American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by removing just a single olive from every salad served in first class.
6. The human body can lose up to 0.26 gallons of water during a three hour flight.
7. The well-known JFK airport in New York was initially named Idlewild Airport.
8. The wingspan of a Boeing 747 is 195 feet, which is longer than the length of the Wright Brother’s first flight of just 120 feet.
9. In 2015, there were 61,000 people airborne over the U.S. at any given hour.
10. Roughly one-third of your taste buds go numb during your flight.
11. A plane ticket in the 1920s cost just $5.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the technicians and mechanics who provide high quality work to various aircraft. These men and women can fix vibration in aircraft using vibration analysis and balance equipment, perform regular and emergency maintenance, and ensure that the crafts are always airworthy.

To browse high-end engine instruments and other aircraft accessories, contact ACES Systems today.