Flymap Learn

Aircraft & Systems

Understand what different aircraft parts and onboard systems do, from engines to cabin pressure.

The Main Parts of an Airplane

An airplane may look like one smooth machine, but it is really made of several main parts that each do a specific job.

2 min read

Jet engines may sound complex, but the basic idea is surprisingly clear:

2 min read

Jets and turboprops both power aircraft, but they are designed for different kinds of flying.

2 min read

During takeoff and landing, parts of the wing move into new positions.

2 min read

Landing gear is what allows an airplane to operate safely on the ground.

1 min read

At cruising altitude, the air outside the airplane is far too thin for people to breathe comfortably.

2 min read

Air inside an airplane cabin does not simply come from outside like open-window ventilation.

2 min read

The term black box sounds mysterious, but it refers to important recording devices carried on an aircraft.

1 min read

Many commercial airplanes are painted mostly white, and that is not just a style choice.

1 min read

Airplanes carry several different lights, and they are not all there for the same reason.

1 min read

Spoilers are panels on the wing that can rise up into the airflow.

1 min read

After landing, many jet aircraft use reverse thrust to help slow down.

1 min read

The APU, or auxiliary power unit, is a small engine carried on many aircraft.

1 min read