During taxi, takeoff, and landing phases, aircraft are routinely subjected to substantial structural loads and stability demands that require dedicated systems for safe ground operation. To meet these needs, landing gear assemblies are designed to bear an aircraft’s weight, maintain reliable directional control, and provide effective deceleration under a variety of runway and weather conditions. In this blog, we will explore core landing gear components, critical maintenance practices, and specialized systems that ensure deployment in emergency situations to show how safe flight is made possible through these assemblies.
As aircraft continue to advance, more technology has come about to make the process of flight much easier for pilots and operators. With the primary flight display, pilots can have all the flight information they need on a single set of screens, and they no longer have to rely on mechanical gauges in order to utilize the altimeter, vertical navigation system, or other flight instruments. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the primary flight display, allowing you to become more familiar with the various aircraft instruments that are a part of it.
During a flight operation, it is crucial that the pilot is always aware of their altitude, as the distance they are from the ground can affect various factors ranging from engine performance to general safety. While one could possibly estimate their height from visuals, such readings are nowhere near accurate and may not be possible during the night, while flying through clouds, or while having any other visual obstructions. To measure the height at which an aircraft is travelling, pilots rely on the altimeter, which is a flight instrument that utilizes outside air pressure to determine height.
For the majority of commercial airliners and fighter jets, the fuel used during flight is typically stored behind the seat of the pilot. But there are exceptions, which include larger aircrafts like the B747, which places large items of fuel in its wings. There is a purpose and design to this, though not many people are aware of this, much less why it is done. In this article, we will explore the reasons why such airlines choose to store their fuel in their wings and not in its usual space behind the pilot.
A cylinder liner is a thin, metallic, cylinder-shaped part inserted into an engine block to form the inner wall of the cylinder. In some countries, it is known as a cylinder sleeve. Regardless of the name, it remains one of the most important functional parts of the interior of an engine. During use, cylinder liners are subject to wear and tear from the rubbing action of the piston rings and piston skirt, and must be able to withstand it. This wear is minimized by the application of a thin oil film that coats the walls of the cylinder and a layer of naturally-forming glaze that forms as the engine runs. Cylinder lines are expensive, precisely-manufactured, specialty parts, but their importance and benefits cannot be overstated.
Seamless stainless steel tubing is found throughout aircraft hydraulic systems. It can be bent to shape much more easily than steel piping, withstand higher pressures, and connect more securely with proper hose fittings. Because a hose is only as good as the connection, it is critical to use high quality tubing or hose and fittings to foster a reliable seal. This is why aerospace hydraulic fittings of AS9100C and Nadcap quality are used in a wide range of industries. Components that meet these rigid requirements are used by OEMs and maintenance crews in industries such as civil aviation, aerospace and defense, industrial, as well as in construction, manufacturing, and commercial equipment. This blog will explain aerospace fittings, their types, and important considerations to make.
Before each flight, the FAA requires the pilot in command of any aircraft to give a passenger safety briefing and inform the passengers of critical safety items and information prior to take off. Pilots of small aircraft are mandated by FAA regulation 14 CFR 91.107 to inform passengers of how to properly operate their seat belt, including how to latch and unlatch them, and the appropriate times to use the seat belt. Pilots of large or turbine-powered multi-engine aircraft must carry out a far more detailed brief in accordance with FAA 14 CFR 91.519 regulations. An easy way to remember the steps of this briefing is with the acronym SAFETY. This blog will explain each part of the SAFETY briefing and its details.
The kinetic energy of a jet airplane is extremely high due to the combination of the aircraft’s weight and speed. This energy is very difficult to eliminate because a jet aircraft has low drag when the nose wheel is on the ground, and the engines continue to produce forward thrust even when the power is idle. While brakes can normally suffice, there is need for a supplementary method of slowing. This is where thrust reversers come in. A thrust reverser is a device in the engine exhaust system that essentially reverses the path of exhaust gas flow. The flow is not able to reverse 180 degrees, but rather the final path of the gases is diverted 45 degrees from straight ahead. This, coupled with the losses in the reverse flow paths, results in an engine efficiency of about 50 percent, helping the brakes bring the aircraft to a stop.
As one moves upward in altitude, the pressure of air decreases, making it harder for humans to breathe. Mount Everest’s peak lies at 29,000 feet, and oxygen levels have been described similar to breathing through a straw while on a treadmill. Thus, at 30,000 feet where many aircraft fly, it is a technological marvel that they are able to provide oxygen pressure that allows for safe and comfortable breathing for passengers. This is due to a complex aircraft cabin pressurization system which has been designed and improved upon by countless aircraft manufacturers over the history of aviation.
Rivets are an important fastening component for the assembly and structure of any aircraft. Rivets are metallic cylindrical shafts featuring a head and a tail, the latter being passed through a hole between components. When the tail is inserted into the hole, it is deformed with a pneumatic rivet gun to expand its diameter, creating a head on each side of the attached components and locking the rivet in place to permanently secure them together. Rivets are manufactured to meet specific grades for aircraft, just as many other components of aircraft are as well. 5056, 2117-T, 2024-T, 2017-T, and 1100 are all rivet grades that can be used on aircraft, and aluminum rivets prove to be the most popular. Copper rivets may be utilized too, but they are often reserved for leather or copper materials. With the benefits that rivets bring, many may still wonder why rivets are used instead of other fastening methods or equipment. In this blog, we will discuss some of the alternatives to rivets, and why riveting remains the most popular.
