If you've flown on a plane, you may have been reminded to open the window shades during takeoff or landing. This seemingly unimportant routine plays a part in ensuring your safety during an emergency.

Tilted landing gears, while engineered specifically for the express purpose of helping jets land and take off from runways, might look odd, like the wheels on the wings of a B-52 bomber. If you've ...

In commercial aviation, landings are designed to be gentle, with the idea that travelers will avoid planes with rough landings—but military aircraft place far less emphasis on comfort.