As the most common type of rotary-wing aircraft, helicopters come in a large variety of designs to suit different environments and applications. One major way to differentiate the types is by the number of engines they employ to run the main rotor blades and other powered components. As a key safety feature, using multiple engines is often required for flying over certain areas; however, one should not discount the benefits of a single-engine design. To learn more about the key differences between these two varieties, read on as we discuss some major considerations. Read more >>

For a majority of passenger aircraft that feature turbine engines, cabin oxygen and heat is provided by engine bleed air. This pressurized air is extremely hot before entering the cabin, making it essential that it is cooled as necessary for comfort. While air conditioning is often considered a luxury in other settings, it is absolutely essential in many aircraft to ensure that the air supplied for breathing is treated for safety, quality, etc. In this blog, we will discuss the various parts that make up aircraft air conditioning systems, allowing you to have a better understanding of how cabins are supplied with breathable air. Read more >>

When electric machinery runs, it generates heat, which in turn requires regulation through a cooling system. In aircraft, machinery like generators are frequently managed with oil spray cooling; however, this technique demands large amounts of oil and causes excessive rotor friction, that of which lessens efficiency. For this reason, this blog will explore alternative cooling approaches and their benefits for aviation applications. A major concern when seeking cooling technologies for high power density machines in aircraft is the weight they will add to the system, so low-weight methods like direct slot cooling (DSC) have become promising approaches. Read more >>

Of the four forces acting on an aircraft during flight, lift is generally given the most attention, both in aircraft design and engineering discussions. In fact, every external surface of the plane generates lift in varying degrees, with the wings accounting for the highest production. Without lift, the aircraft would never be able to leave the ground, and when this mechanical force is compromised during flight, the results can prove to be catastrophic. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about lift and how it affects flight. Read more >>

As the aviation industry continues to grow across the globe with an increase of commercial flights, cargo services, and more, the demand for spare aircraft parts is also on the rise. Many aircraft are designed to be in continuous use, downtime often being minimized as much as feasible to maintain revenue and tight scheduling. Nevertheless, aircraft are machines like all others, thus necessitating the eventual repair and replacement of parts as a result of aging, wear, and other factors. For safety and adherence to various regulations, aircraft are subject to routine checks and maintenance procedures that are carried out at set intervals. To meet airworthiness standards while ensuring that scheduling is upheld, it is paramount that spare parts can quickly and efficiently be procured so that they are on hand when needed. Read more >>

Corrosion refers to the degradation of metals due to a chemical reaction. The most important reactions to understand that cause corrosion are oxidation and reduction, and the critical substrates in these reactions are anodes and cathodes. When it comes to metals, oxidation is when oxygen from the atmosphere or water donates electrons to the metal it encounters. The site at which this donation occurs is called an anode. After oxidation occurs, the electrons flow to another location on the surface of the metal called a cathode. At the cathode, these electrons are finally donated to oxygen molecules in water droplets. This reaction is called reduction Read more >>

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. Read more >>

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. Read more >>

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. Read more >>

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. Read more >>

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. Read more >>

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. Read more >>