While there are a great number of aircraft types that range from small personal trainers to large military transports, there are many core aircraft components that may be found across most fixed-wing aircraft regardless of type. Often, these include major components such as the fuselage, wings, engines, and other primary structures and systems that provide for heavier-than-air flight. As aircraft undergo heavy stressors during operations, it is important that such components are engineered to withstand the loads that they must endure, all while remaining as light as possible.

The capacitor is an extremely useful and common electronic component within modern circuits and devices. It is a passive electrical component used to store electrical energy in an electrical field. The function carried out by a capacitor is referred to as capacitance. Capacitors are made up of two closed conductors called plates separated by a dielectric material. An electric charge is created when the plates come into contact, with one plate accumulating the positive charge and the other plate accumulating the negative charge. As capacitors play an important role in electronic devices, there are many variants intended for different applications. This blog will explain each of the six types of capacitors, their functions, and their uniquities.

A jet engine is a type of engine that is propelled by a stream of hot exhaust gases formed when air is forced into the engine by several stages of compression, heated, and subsequently expanded through a nozzle. While jet engines can refer to rockets, waterjet engines, and hybrid propulsions systems, the term most commonly describes air-breathing gas turbine engines.

A ferrite bead is a passive electronic inductor, commonly found attached to the power cord of your laptop or on your monitor cables. While most people are aware of what a monitor cable is and what it does, the ferrite bead that is attached to it is a bit of a mystery. Not there for show, the ferrite bead is designed to inhibit high frequency signals on almost any power supply line. They can be used for fixing the disturbance known as EMI (electromagnetic interference). EMI is generated by an external source that affects an electrical circuit by electromagnetic induction, electrostatic coupling, or conduction. Below you can find some helpful information on selecting the best monitor cables with ferrite beads.

Aircraft maintenance does not only require training, knowledge and experience but also important tools and equipment. The maintenance of aircraft is one of the most important aspects in the aviation industry as it ensures the safety of passengers, crew and cargo. Below you will find a short description of the top six tools used in aircraft maintenance.

Aircraft taxiing is a complex procedure, often involving multiple aircraft that are taking off, landing, loading passengers, and delivering them to their destination. It is important that there is safe and efficient movement of all aircraft throughout the aerodrome, and a means of aircraft being able to travel from the gate to the takeoff point. Many aircraft do not have the ability to even reverse, making movement from the gate near impossible. To solve this, a procedure known as pushback is used and is conducted by aircraft tugs.

If you’re a frequent flier, then you’ve likely been on a variety of different aircraft, from small and cramped, to cramped and complex. Smaller aircraft are often less spacious with only two rows of seating, whereas larger aircraft typically have two or more rows of seating. However, the most significant difference between different aircraft is not the size of the aircraft, but the weight. The weight is especially crucial for pilots because they need certain ratings to be able to fly bigger aircraft. For both air traffic controllers and pilots, the categories are crucial in notifying pilots of dangerous conditions in the wake of heavy planes. For a more detailed description of the differences between large and heavy aircraft, read on below.

Minimizing aircraft downtime and exploiting aftermarket opportunities are quickly becoming more of an important focus to Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul divisions of aircraft companies throughout the years. Aircraft Health Monitoring Systems, or AHMS, are proving to be a promising business opportunity for OEMs and airlines as a way to enhance aircraft safety due to their ability of real-time data captured through sensors that are integrated on aviation parts. AHMS can also optimize company MRO costs by utilizing non-invasive inspections and testing that report on aircraft conditions. Through 2019 and beyond, there are a handful of industry-wide activities that will continue to develop the AHMS market.

To explain the federal supply classification system, we must first understand what a National Stock Number is. National Stock Numbers or NSNs, are 13-digit serial numbers assigned to all standardized items within the federal supply chain. All components that are used by the U.S Department of Defense are required to have an NSN, the purpose of which is to provide a standardized language of naming components. Also known as NATO stock numbers, NSNs are recognized by all NATO countries. NSNs are assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency  and are typically in the format XXXX-XX-XXXXXXX.

The magnetic compass is the most common device found in the pilot’s cockpit; however, it is also known as the faultiest device. During times of turbulence, the compass can become increasingly difficult to read and be subject to incorrect acceleration and turning errors. Its inaccuracies can make it difficult for the pilot to fly by safely. To come to the rescue of frustrated pilots, the Heading Indicator (HI) is a gyroscopic instrument that maintains alignment with the magnetic compass. This tool makes for more accurate flight paths by eliminating severe acceleration or turning errors.