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Aviation explainer series

Our useful Aviation explainer series looks at a wide range of topics and aims to answer a lot of the questions that arise with flight tracking. Ever wondered about how an aircraft black box works? Or perhaps how to read weather / METAR reports? Maybe you’re interested in why aircraft dump fuel from time to time? Take a closer look at some of our articles below to help better understand these topics.

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What’s the hold up – how and why do aircraft hold at airports?

If you’ve ever browsed airspace around a busy airport on Flightradar24, you’ve likely noticed aircraft circling in oval, racetrack-like loops. These loops are called…

Airline stories Aviation explainer series

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Inside the world of network planning at SAS

Commercial aviation is a fast-moving, highly competitive industry, where every flight schedule is the result of meticulous planning and strategic decision-making. Behind every new…

Aviation explainer series

(Not) burning rubber – how rubber deposits are removed from runways

Every aircraft landing leaves behind more than just noise and turbulence—it also deposits rubber on the runway surface. This buildup, if not removed regularly,…

Aviation explainer series

De-sprucing the North Atlantic: changes coming to the NAT HLA

Changes are coming to how some aircraft can travel across the Atlantic, finally removing a vestige of World War II-era logistics. The Blue Spruce…

Aviation explainer series

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Spotting the difference: The Airbus narrow-bodies

From the first A320 in 1987 to a family full of aircraft, Airbus has built an extensive collection of narrow-body aircraft, all of which…

Aviation explainer series

Complicated airspace: A look at routings between Doha and the Nordics

In the months leading up to January 2025, we noticed that Finnair and Qatar Airways would often take very different routes between the same…

Aviation explainer series

How to investigate an air crash – according to the NTSB

Commercial aviation is statistically one of the safest ways to travel, and that doesn’t happen by accident. When an aviation accident occurs, a meticulous…

Aviation explainer series

What colors are runway and taxiway lights?

Each and every light on an airfield has a specific purpose. Runway and taxiway lighting systems are essential for guiding pilots during takeoff, landing,…

Aviation explainer series

What are sale and leasebacks?

Sale and leasebacks are a common financial strategy in the aviation industry, enabling airlines to raise immediate cash while maintaining access to their aircraft….