It is not unusual for non-flying friends of mine to ask questions about aviation. Often the question is one which requires an opinion rather than an explanation but once in a while I am asked to explain how some piece of equipment on an aircraft works.

When faced with this opportunity those of us in the aviation community often break out into a big smile and start in with what we feel is a simple, lucid answer to the question. However, what the other person hears is very similar to the explanation of the ‘turbo transmission’ shown in this video.

Aviation and flying are completely foreign to the vast majority of the people you encounter each day. If someone asks a genuine question about aviation, draw them farther into the conversation, find out their motivation and see if you can interest them in taking a short flight with you to help explain your answer to their question. Remember, May 15th is International Learn To Fly Day.