While many are familiar with the steering wheels of a typical automobile, some may not realize that many aircraft have similar controls. While a steering system similar to an automobile may not be efficient for standard flight, they are very useful when traversing around the tarmac of a runway. Controls such as the yoke holder and yoke connector are used for flight, while a separate control serves pilots for ground operations. As a control that is featured on numerous passenger planes for an ease of traversing surfaces, it can be useful to understand how they are used and why they are important.

Air filters are an important element of many vehicles, ensuring that contaminants and unwanted substances are blocked from flowing alongside fluids. With their implementation, such components prevent foreign matter from affecting the health of individuals and vehicle systems alike. Air filters can serve many roles, common examples being the filtration of cabin and engine air. While different air filters may serve similar roles in filtering fluids, their varied placements, designs, and roles set such components apart from one another. As engine and cabin air filters are crucial for the overall well-being of a vehicle and the individuals within, having a basic understanding of each and how they are used is highly recommended.

Washers and shims are relatively similar components, and both are regularly used for automotive manufacturing, machinery, industrial equipment, and other applications. As both component types come in the form of thin material pieces that may be used to fill gaps or increase support, it is important to understand the difference between each. In this blog, we will discuss washers and shims, allowing you to understand their similarities and differences.

The attitude indicator is one of the six basic flight instruments in every cockpit. It serves to provide the pilot with the orientation of the aircraft relative to the Earth’s horizon and gives an immediate indication of even the most minute orientation changes. The attitude indicator features a miniature aircraft and horizon bar that mimic the relationship of the real aircraft and horizon. While traditional gyroscopes still exist in many aircraft, new types are becoming more and more popular. In this blog, we will discuss the most common types of attitude indicators.

Aircraft cable is among the most useful types of steel cables available. The thin, flexible, and exceedingly strong material consists of thin steel wires (between 8 and 28) that have been stranded together to provide a combination of strength and flexibility. Although aircraft cables rarely have a diameter greater than ¼ inch, they are strong enough to hold an aircraft securely in place.

Strut channels are used throughout the construction and electrical industries to provide light structural support. While they are commonly used to provide support for wiring and plumbing, they can also be used to support mechanical components for much larger appliances. Strut channel support systems are often assembled by using U-shaped slotted steel channels combined with fittings. This creates strong metal structures capable of supporting electrical conduits, cables, panel boxes, and other pieces of equipment. Additionally, strut channels can be used to create permanent or temporary structures, and all components are designed to be reusable if needed. Strut channels are an incredibly versatile product that can be used in a wide range of different applications.

During a standard passenger flight, the aircraft air conditioner is responsible for providing a constant flow of fresh air that is at a comfortable temperature for passengers. Despite various rumors existing about aircraft air conditioning systems, fresh oxygen is constantly pumped into the cabin and air is thoroughly filtered to maintain a hygienic and microbe free cabin. As a modern marvel of aviation, learning how the aircraft air conditioning system functions can allow you to better understand how they are able to provide passengers with clean air at a comfortable temperature while traveling above 30,000 feet.

In order to carry out their complex and demanding tasks, aircraft mechanics need general mechanical aptitude and knowledge as well as the unique skills required to do their jobs properly. Similarly, the equipment these mechanics use must also be specialized and able to perform specific and sometimes intricate repairs. Many professional mechanics have access to shop tools including drill presses and other large machines in a shop or hangar, but for basic maintenance, many mechanics are required to use their own tools. The most common tools used in aircraft maintenance are speed handles, torque wrenches, safety wire pliers, metal working tools, magnets, and mirrors. In this blog, we will discuss each of them.

Since the advent of more advanced flight technology, constant improvements have been made to aircraft that have greatly increased the efficiency of flight. As a standard piece of equipment on many airliners and private jets, an aircraft winglet is a section of the wing in which the end turns upwards. With their implementation on an aircraft, drag can be reduced alongside the creation of lift, allowing for aircraft to fly well while drawing less power from the engine. As such, many airliners and aircraft operators often invest in winglets in order to improve fuel efficiency, both lowering CO2 emissions and operating costs. Before deciding whether or not aircraft winglets are a good fit for your aircraft, however, it is important to be well aware of how they function.

In order to properly and safely operate an aircraft for flight, pilots rely on a number of systems and components such as brakes, landing gear, flight control surfaces, cargo doors, and much more. Oftentimes, these systems can be large, heavy, and extremely difficult to operate manually or mechanically, thus they require a system to efficiently operate them for the ease of the pilot. In most modern aircraft, the hydraulic system is what is used to drive machinery and systems, utilizing hydraulic fluid and mechanical components for operation.