Category: Transport

How does the London Eye work?

Over 20 years since this giant city-centre wheel opened: jump aboard and explore its past (Image source: Pixabay) For 20 years, one large eye has watched over the antics of the UK’s capital city,...

How do electric buses work?

These vehicles can help the planet and tackle traffic – all without making a sound (Image source: Pixabay) Transport makes up a quarter of the world’s carbon emissions, with buses producing an average of 822 grams...

On board the Hawk

The dual-control training jet that helps the next generation of pilots prepare for combat Image source: Getty Images Getting into the cockpit of a jet engine aircraft for the first time is a daunting...

How do planes use smart radar?

The radio waves that keep you safe in the sky and on land (Image source: Pixabay) What’s the weather going to be this afternoon? Tomorrow? Or even next week? Thanks to the weather forecast,...

What is the shipping forecast?

150 years after its maiden broadcast, the first public weather forecast system is still responsible for saving lives at sea Image source: Pixabay In late October of 1859 the iron-hulled Victorian ship Royal Charter...

Tractor evolution

How has farming progressed from horse-pulled carts to the tractors of today? (Image source: Pixabay) Tractors have been around since the 1800s, when John Froelich incorporated the first stable petrol-powered traction motor. For most...

How do electric aeroplanes work?

Inside the aircraft that’s leaving smaller carbon footprints in the sky than hi-octane jets Right now, there are an estimated 20,000 aeroplanes in use around the world. Around 3 billion people travel on these...

How do fighter jets refuel mid-air?

RAF Voyager is a flying tanker, on a mission to keep fighter jets aloft for as long as possible Image credit: Future plc Staring out of the window of an Airbus A330 aircraft, the...

What is an ion wind plane?

This futuristic concept could revolutionise aviation with silent and non-polluting power systems Image credit: Future PLC Air travel is one of the greatest barriers to reducing carbon emissions. Fossil fuel-powered jets and propellers have...

How do concrete mixers work?

These vehicles are vital to construction projects of every scale, but how do they get the job done so quickly and efficiently? (Image source: Pixabay) The need for different types of concrete – in...