Aviation Parts Online Blog

In the vast realm of aerospace engineering, precision and reliability are of paramount importance. Every element, from the smallest component to the grandest structure, plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of aerospace systems. Among these critical components of the aerospace world are the unassuming yet indispensable hardware items known as aerospace fasteners. These fasteners serve a vital purpose in the assembly of aircraft, ballistic missiles, and other aerospace applications, serving to keep assemblies together. In this blog, we will delve into the world of aerospace fasteners, exploring their types and the significance they hold in the grand scheme of aerospace engineering.

Hose clamps are utilized to attach and seal a hose onto a fitting. With a multitude of options on the market, all of which vary in shape and size, narrowing down your search can be difficult. For heavy-duty and hazardous settings, the choice is even more complicated.

When discussing aircraft, you may have heard about the process of fuel dumping or fuel jettisoning, that of which is a procedure where fuel is forcibly removed from the vehicle prior to landing. This is an emergency procedure, only conducted in very specific instances, such as when the aircraft needs to rapidly return to the airport after takeoff, or prior to an emergency landing at the intended destination. While there are valid concerns over this procedure, it is not something that is done regularly or on a whim. Instead, it is used for the safety of those in the aircraft when certain issues arise. To help you better understand what fuel dumping is and why it is carried out, we will discuss it in detail in this blog.

A hinge is an element of an assembly connecting two moving components and enables the angular movement about a fixed axis of rotation, while also preventing rotation and movement along the other two axes. Put simply, a hinge can be defined as a set of plates containing holes through which rods, wires, or pins can be passed for the purposes of fastening. Hinges can turn in a single direction in the following motions: pitch, yaw (the most common), and roll.

As most modern aircraft continue to rely on the combustion of fuel-and-air mixtures to achieve and sustain flight throughout an operation, it is paramount that pilots have the ability to effectively monitor fuel flow levels and data pertaining to the consumption of fuel while in the air. Without such information, pilots may not be able to determine when they are running low on fuel or if there is a problem with flow, leading to extreme hazards that can be detrimental to1 an aircraft’s safety. As a result, all  feature what is known as a fuel flow indicator.

The tailplane is a crucial, yet overlooked, section of aircraft design that is found on countless fixed-wing airplanes. Also referred to as the horizontal stabilizer, the aircraft tailplane commonly features two horizontal extensions that protrude out of the back end of the aviation fuselage on both sides. True to their name, horizontal stabilizers or tailplanes serve to stabilize aircraft during flight. To better understand how such structures provide balance for the benefit of flight operations, we will discuss their design and functionality.

The hydraulic system may be considered one of the most important aspects of a given aircraft, serving to provide pilots the power needed to manage the various flight surfaces and controls of the vehicle. From the adjustment of flight surfaces that affect aerodynamics to the operation of the brakes of an aircraft, there are many sections of the vehicle that require the use of hydraulics to optimally function. To best understand the importance of the aircraft hydraulic system, one should first familiarize themselves with the functionality of the hydraulics and how they are employed for aviation.

Harnessing the properties of aerodynamics to produce lift, heavier-than-air aircraft utilize specialized parts and designs to achieve such a feat. Composed of the cockpit, fuselage, wings, powerplant, tail, and landing gear, these components work together to help an aircraft take flight, land, and counteract the force of gravity. Generally categorized based on their wing configuration, aircraft and the parts that make up their body come in a diverse range of manufacturer shapes and models. Without any one of these items, flight would be rendered hazardous and unachievable, leaving the vehicle grounded. Below, to better understand the basics of flight, we will highlight the five major segments that make up an aircraft and how they function.

Landing gear is paramount to any aircraft, allowing them to safely touchdown on a runway or surface for the means of finishing a flight operation. As landing gear can serve as a source of drag as equipment disrupts airflow, it can be very beneficial to minimize its effects for the most advantageous aerodynamic properties. With a retractable landing gear system, the landing gear of an aircraft may be deployed and retracted as needed to increase climb performance and cruise airspeeds. In this blog, we will discuss the retractable landing gear system and its benefits to flight operations.

When breaking into a market dominated by a limited number of companies that make proven products, innovation is necessary. However, in a rigid industry like commercial aviation, where safety is critical, being innovative can also be risky. This was the challenge faced by Pratt & Whitney (P&W) as they attempted to gain a foothold in the 120-180 passenger aircraft engine market. To do this, P&W engineered the PW8000 geared turbofan, the first turbofan engine to use gears for enhanced performance. Adding a gearbox to the conventional turbofan allows engine components to spin at more efficient speeds. In this blog, we will discuss how the addition of gears affects turbofan engines.