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Engine lubricants exist to reduce friction between moving parts. Liquid lubricants and oils are readily available, making them a universally utilized item throughout the aerospace industry. Lubricant is pumped through all areas of the engine to separate surfaces and prevent direct metal-to-metal contact. As long as the lubricant film remains intact, potential metallic friction is replaced by fluid friction of the lubricant, minimizing both friction and wear.
Learn MoreRelative wind, an important factor to consider during flight, refers to the relationship between the wing of an aircraft and the direction of airflow over said wing. In normal flight, the airflow of relative wind is in the opposite direction of the aircraft flight path. This means that if the aircraft flight path is forward, the relative wind is backwards and vise versa. Additionally, if the aircraft is ascending, the relative wind is downward.
Learn MoreThere are many layers of regulation in the aviation industry. Almost every major player, including commercial airlines, supply chain companies and aircraft manufacturers, need to abide by the FAA and other aviation authorities. This is to ensure that every aircraft as well as all the parts that make up the aircraft are 100% certified of airworthiness. The many layers and regulations are put in place so that if a faulty part or another type of error manages to fall through the inspection gates, then they can be identified by the many other gates that follow afterward.
Learn MoreProper radio communication is a basic need of anyone piloting an aircraft. To ensure the reliability of its communication systems, aircraft are fitted with sophisticated radio equipment and antenna. Radio signals typically travel in one of two frequency bands, very high frequency (VHF) or ultra high frequency (UHF). Aircraft use VHF for short range communication, transmitting radio signals from 54 MHz and 216 MHz. The range of communication of a given frequency depends on the height of the antenna relative to the ground. This means that aircraft at high altitudes have a larger VHF ranges than those at lower altitude.
Learn MoreSevere turbulence isn’t just a nuisance when you’re flying, it can also be a genuine health hazard. The Federal Aviation Administration reported 44 injuries related to turbulence in 2016, most of them suffered by flight attendants that were up and moving around the aircraft when the turbulence hit. Given that over 932 million passengers flew on domestic flights that same year, however, this number is mercifully low. One major reason why there are so few turbulence-related injuries is that pilots have gotten better at predicting when turbulence is coming, and warning passengers.
Learn MoreThe hot section of any turbofan or turboprop airplane is key in producing thrust, the seminal force used in flight. It is a collection of important engine parts such as the turbine blades, combustion chamber, stators, vane rings, compressor turbine disk, and shroud segments. As these are crucial components to the performance of the engine, hot section inspections are imperative in ensuring the reliable performance of your aircraft.
Learn MoreThe U.S. military is a highly coveted customer within the aerospace and defense supply chains as their need for components is understandably plentiful. Each and every part that the DoD uses however, must have a National Stock Number (NSN) assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency. A manufacturer can not request an NSN, instead the component must be recognized by the military, a participating NSN country, or a government contractor.
Learn MoreThe complexity of aircraft hydraulic systems depends heavily on the functions it needs to perform. In smaller planes, hydraulics is used to operate constant-speed propellers, landing gear, and aircraft wheel brakes. On larger planes, the systems tend to be more complex as they are used to operate flight control surfaces, spoilers, wing flaps, brakes, and other flight critical functionality. The principles of hydraulics are based on Pascal’s law—pressure exerted anywhere in a confined incompressible fluid is transmitted equally in all directions throughout the fluid, such that the pressure ratio remains constant.
Learn MoreFlying an aircraft safely and effectively relies on feedback on flight conditions from a wide variety of sensors and equipment. These sensors monitor conditions and effects on the aircraft and feed this information to flight computers for processing before being displayed to the pilot.
Learn MoreIf you have ever glanced out the window of a commercial aircraft, you may have noticed several moving parts on the wings. While those shifting panels, known respectively as ailerons, flaps, and spoilers, may appear similar in form, their placement and deployment are unique. In this blog, we will explore the core differences between these control surfaces and their specialized roles in controlling flight dynamics.
Learn MoreThe operating principle of Hydraulic Systems is that force applied to a single point will be transferred to another point using an incompressible fluid, typically an aircraft oil. A modern system is composed of two pistons and a filled cylinder connecting them. When one of the pistons is activated, the liquid moves through the cylinder and applies pressure on the other piston, causing it to move. The efficacy of oil is high in hydraulic systems, and the majority of the force applied appears at the second piston. The cylinder which connects the pistons can be any size, shape, or length.
Learn MoreOne of the most basic requirements for keeping any engine in good shape is an oil change. The proper amount of oil will lubricate engine components and reduce wear. There are several requirements to keep in mind when selecting an oil and maintaining the engine.
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