Home / Topics / Engineering, Transport & Making
Aviation & aerospace engineering: videos Hacker News recommends
Aviation: airplanes, airlines, pilots, flight training, air traffic control, jet engines, aircraft design, crashes and investigations, paramotors, drones, helicopters, Boeing, aircraft history. Below: every video in this topic that at least three HN users linked with real commentary, in at least three different months (44 demos, 27 explainers, 12 documentarys), best-scored first, with the comments on each video page.
- Cars, EVs & motorcycles 171
- Transit, cities & urban planning 174
- Civil engineering & construction 70
- Mechanical & precision engineering 141
- Manufacturing & industrial processes 69
- Woodworking, metalworking & workshop skills 34
- 3D printing, CNC & maker projects 58
- Home, DIY & practical skills 61
- Cooking & food 41
- Ships, submarines & maritime 24
- Engineering & making (other) 27
- Mossie Fly lecture recommended in 11 different months by 11 HN users, 2021–2026HN brings it up in any thread about autopilot, Tesla FSD, self-driving cars and crashes as the classic lecture on automation dependency.
- HN commenters recommend it as an in-depth, accessible look at airline class economics and revisit it in many discussions about airlines.
- HN commenters send people here for a detailed first-hand account from the pilot, and some say it changed their view on the sightings.
- It is the default link in any thread about boarding or deplaning order, praised as an excellent, clear treatment.
- HN points to it as the best explanation of how Zipline's whole system works and as an example of drones doing real, useful work.
- X, The Moonshot Factory documentary recommended in 5 different months by 6 HN users, 2020–2025HN recommends it as a technically rich, beautifully made documentary on ambitious hardware engineering and failure.
- HN refers to it as the direct first-person account from the pilot in UFO and UAP threads, though some find it unconvincing.
- Recommended in threads on the 747 and A380 for explaining why big planes were phased out.
- It is the go-to demonstration of how hypoxia silently disables decision making, cited in threads on altitude, flying, diving, CO2 and breathwork.
- Boeing threads cite it as early evidence of deep cultural and quality problems at Boeing, years before the 737 MAX crashes.
- HN recommends it as a detailed, pilot's-eye summary of the whole MH370 story and the case for searching again.
- Strongly recommended as a gripping case study whose lessons carry over to engineering management and safety.
- Dark Footage explainer recommended in 4 different months by 3 HN users, 2021–2024Shared in hypersonic and missile threads as a compact, impressive overview of what Sprint achieved in the 1960s.
- HN repeatedly recommends it as an excellent explanation of why flying on Mars is hard and how the helicopter was built.
- It is the standard answer when someone asks what happened to drone delivery.
- LEMMiNO documentary recommended in 3 different months by 2 HN users, 2019–2023Regularly shared as the best well-made overview of the MH370 mystery, in threads on the search and ocean mapping.
- During the 737 MAX crash coverage, HN commenters linked it as a clear, pilot-led demonstration of what an MCAS runaway looks like and how hard manual trim is to crank.
- HN recommends it whenever threads touch twin-engine ocean flights, diversions, or why the 747 and A380 are being retired.
- HN recommends it as a clear explanation of why batteries limit electric aviation.
- Festo demo recommended in 4 different months by 4 HN users, 2011–2021Recommended as a spectacular example of bio-inspired robotics, and a pointer to Festo's other work.
- Recommended as a clear, accessible explainer on logistics, overnight shipping and why old planes get used for cargo.
- HN resurfaces it during Boeing safety stories as early, firsthand evidence that production and management problems long predate the 737 Max.
- Michigan Engineering talk recommended in 3 different months by 4 HN users, 2019–2021HN commenters point to it as a credible debunking of the popular but wrong explanations of how wings generate lift.
- HN commenters point to it whenever airline economics or frequent-flier miles come up, since it clearly shows loyalty programs are worth more than the airlines themselves.
- Recommended as a clear economic explanation of aviation tradeoffs, relevant to Concorde and supersonic startup threads.
- AviationTV demo recommended in 3 different months by 2 HN users, 2014–2021Recommended as a captivating look at how a professional crew calmly handles an in-flight engine problem.
- HN recommends the series as an insightful, humorous account of why unleaded aviation fuel is so hard to approve.
- Cited whenever aviation or vehicle communication security comes up, as the standard demonstration that ADS-B is naively designed and trivially spoofable.
- HN recommends the series for explaining why unleaded avgas has been so hard to approve, usually in threads about FAA and EPA fuel decisions.
- Recommended as a fascinating insider account of how the F-22's software makes it easier to fly than a Cessna.
- HN recommends it as a well-done history of Skunk Works, popping up in SR-71 threads.
- HN links it whenever airline route rules, cabotage or loopholes come up, as a concise background explainer.
- HN commenters point to it as a well-researched primer when airport security theatre and Israeli-style screening come up.
- HN recommends it as a concise explanation of what caused the 737 Max crashes.
- Bret talk recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2017–2023HN recommends it as an entertaining, technical illustration of how hard the Shuttle's one-shot dead-stick landing was.
- Commenters send it to people asking how engines survive such temperatures, and call it fascinating and worth watching.
- HN points to it as a short, clear answer to why budget airlines are so cheap.
- Just Think demo recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2018–2022HN cites it as a practical demonstration that kerosene-type fuels are hard to ignite compared with gasoline.
- Jan Johnson talk recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2018–2021Shared as the pilot's own telling of a famous, amusing SR-71 anecdote that never gets old.
- Clark Lindsey demo recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2010–2014Cited as an example of impressive amateur-scale rocket work, and as a vertical-landing test that predates and rivals SpaceX's Grasshopper.
- mtthw0 demo recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2013–2023HN links it constantly as vivid evidence of how much margin aircraft structures have and that destructive testing is real.
- Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles documentary recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2023–2025HN commenters use it as a well-researched account of what the Wrights actually solved, in threads on airplane physics and invention credit.
- HN recommends it as an entertaining and thorough overview of Boeing's decline whenever the company's safety problems are in the news.
- HN people recommend it as an easy-to-understand pilot's explanation of the 737 MAX MCAS issue.
- flightcrewguide.com lecture recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2022–2025HN cites it as the famous lecture on over-reliance on automation and on when to drop to a lower level of automation, applicable well beyond aviation.
- Nathan Kutz lecture recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2021–2022HN commenters recommend it for its fluid dynamics of detonation waves and its high-speed imaging of rotating pulses.
- HN pointed to it during the 737 MAX discussions to show how hard manual trim is when severely out of trim.
- flugsnug demo recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2017–2026HN commenters link it as a visual illustration of wingtip vortices and wake turbulence when discussing lift and aircraft wakes.
- HN uses it as a vivid example of tacit knowledge and skill acquisition, where the brain eventually abstracts away the complexity.
- Kevin Hayward demo recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2014–2020Linked as a vivid demonstration of how fast hypoxia incapacitates people, often without them noticing.
- Pointed to when people want to see the cams and gears inside a mechanical navigation computer.
- HN people point to it as a fun summary of how messy airport codes are, especially in threads on aviation falsehoods and code collisions.
- TNG Technology Consulting GmbH talk recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2022–2023Recommended as a detailed, wonderful explanation of the physics of dynamic soaring and record-speed RC gliders.
- Recommended as the introductory explainer whenever rotating detonation engines show up in the news.
- FirstSecondThoughts documentary recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2012–2015Linked in Reaction Engines threads as the story behind the engine, though one commenter is skeptical of the company's funding record.
- JDProductions INC. documentary recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2012–2017Recommended as a great look at how thoroughly airliners are inspected and rebuilt, and cited in aviation maintenance discussions.
- Cited in aviation-accident threads as a compact analysis of whether whole-aircraft parachutes work, with the track record described as impressive.
- OrnithopterProject demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2012–2026Used as the real example of human-powered flapping flight, in contrast to hoaxes and other human-powered aircraft discussions.
- shareoldvideos documentary recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2014–2021Cited in threads on Boeing and engineering management as a long, interesting look at how a modern airliner was built.
- HN points to it as a real-world example of Julia used in safety-critical aerospace design.
- Microsoft Flight Simulator demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2020–2021HN commenters link it as official evidence that the new simulator's flight model is serious and comparable to dedicated sims.
- Cited as a source for Boeing's post-merger cultural decline and the undermining of its engineers.
- Cirrus demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2019–2024HN points to it as a real example of certified emergency autoland, used in debates about autonomy and pilotless aircraft.
- BPS.space demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2022–2025HN cites it as the landmark example of a hobbyist landing a rocket, and recommends the channel for following that progress.
- BELAIR2000 interview recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2014–2021HN cites it as an insider's critique of the F-35 whenever the program's problems come up.
- AerospaceControlsLab demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2013–2016Referenced in drone threads as a demonstration that variable pitch quadcopters fly well with little drift.
- flightcrewguide.com lecture recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2016–2019Cited in aviation threads as a gripping primary-source account of incidents like stabilizer trim moving without the pilot's knowledge.
- HN points to it in electric aviation threads for how small electric motors enable contra-rotating props.
- jaglavaksoldier demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2016–2023HN commenters link it as the go-to example of what a carrier deck can handle and as an impressive flight feat.
- nature video explainer recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2018–2022Linked as a quick demonstration of the ion plane in threads about silent aircraft and flying cars.
- HN points to it as a concrete demo of emergency autoland when threads discuss pilot incapacitation and aviation automation.
- PeterSripol demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2018–2022Cited as an example of a hobbyist building and flying a real human-carrying electric plane, and as a channel worth following for DIY aircraft builds.
- Mark Mueller demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2014–2019It is the standard citation in drone and eVTOL threads for the claim that multirotors can survive a failed rotor with the right control algorithm.
- Integza demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2022–2025Cited as an approachable hobbyist look at RDEs in threads on detonation-powered rockets.
- Manuito demo recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2010–2026Linked in aviation threads to show that engines are designed to contain a failed fan blade.
- BELAIR2000 interview recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2014–2015Posted in F-35 threads as an insider's critique from a legendary aircraft designer.
- Boeing news clip recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2016–2022Cited as an example of effective alarm and voice-alert design and in discussions of reactions to female voices.
- Insider demo cited on HN 3 times, 2018–2025HN commenters link it to show how much stress airliner wings are designed to withstand, especially in turbulence and crash threads.
- TheNorthwestReport demo cited on HN 4 times, 2019–2023HN cites it as an example of the skill of sling-load helicopter pilots.
- HN commenters cite it as evidence that vertical rocket landing was demonstrated long before SpaceX, with the DC-X as the main example.
- sll914 demo cited on HN 3 times, 2023–2024Cited as a striking example of dynamic soaring letting unpowered gliders far exceed wind speed.
- Sven Herzog Aviation video cited on HN 5 times, 2016–2024Cited as a vivid example that experienced pilots can ignore loud alarms, in threads on alarm design and gear-up landings.
- headintheclouds46 news clip cited on HN 5 times, 2015–2019HN links it as a vivid example of a bird strike taking out an engine, and praises the calm crew and ATC response.
- Aviation Explorer video cited on HN 4 times, 2012–2023Cited as proof that a large jet airliner can safely do a barrel roll and as a famous test-pilot stunt.
- Used as an example of how easy homing and guidance have become, resembling precision-guided munitions.
- Gary Connery demo cited on HN 3 times, 2015–2022Cited as an example of how padding can allow survival of very high-speed impacts.
- Matt Brink demo cited on HN 3 times, 2018–2022Cited as a striking example of live-line work and of potential equalization, with the air as the insulator.
- What You Haven't Seen demo cited on HN 4 times, 2021–2026HN commenters cite it in nuclear and engineering debates as evidence that concrete containment structures can withstand aircraft impacts.
- Barrel Roll demo cited on HN 3 times, 2014–2025Linked as the go-to footage of a linear aerospike engine actually running whenever aerospike nozzles come up.
- HN links it to illustrate how the shuttle's never-flown RTLS abort profile would work.
- PeterSripol demo cited on HN 3 times, 2018–2022HN cites it as a fun, concrete demonstration that Magnus-effect rotating cylinders can generate enough lift to fly.
- forschungsbuero demo cited on HN 3 times, 2016–2022HN points to it as proof that manned multicopters and eVTOL craft existed well before the current hype.
- Team BlackSheep demo cited on HN 4 times, 2011–2013HN cites it as a well-known early example of FPV drone flight in drone and regulation discussions.
- sll914 demo cited on HN 3 times, 2018–2020HN cites it as the surprising example that the fastest RC aircraft is an unpowered glider using dynamic soaring.
- englishelectric video cited on HN 4 times, 2010–2019HN cites it as a famous bit of aviation history showing the roll was a gentle 1G maneuver and salesmanship.
- Cambridge University demo cited on HN 3 times, 2021–2025Linked in lift-theory arguments as a clear demonstration that air over the top of a wing does not need to catch up with air underneath.
- AviationWeek news clip cited on HN 4 times, 2017–2021Used as a concrete example of automation successfully saving an incapacitated pilot.
- Cited to show that empty slot-keeping flights predate COVID and Lufthansa's recent practice.
- neway47 news clip cited on HN 5 times, 2016–2020Cited in threads about evacuation rules, mostly as an example of a certification test that commenters call unrealistic.
- HouieLouy video cited on HN 3 times, 2011–2020Cited as an audible example of what hypoxia sounds like and how consciousness fades gradually.
Showing the 100 best-scored of 116. Use search to find the rest.
Questions
What is the most recommended aviation & aerospace engineering video on Hacker News?
Children Of The Magenta Line by Mossie Fly: HN brings it up in any thread about autopilot, Tesla FSD, self-driving cars and crashes as the classic lecture on automation dependency.
How is this aviation & aerospace engineering list ranked?
By HackerTube's score: the number of distinct months in which an HN comment recommended the video, plus half a point for every month with a strong recommendation. One viral thread counts less than steady recommendations over years.
Where do the videos come from?
From every Hacker News comment between 2007 and 2026 that linked a YouTube video, labeled by an AI model as a recommendation, a citation, a joke or a criticism. The list is published by HackerTube under ODC-By 1.0; this edition adds indexable pages and the comment context.