What Are Drain Masts in Aviation?

Masts are typically associated with marine vessels like ships and boats. Consisting of vertical posts, they are used to hold sails or equipment. Airplanes may not have these same vertical posts, but many of them do have drain masts. What … Read More

Understanding De-Rated Takeoffs

Takeoffs require a substantial amount of thrust. While smaller commercial jets like the Boeing 737 weigh around 90,000 pounds, larger jets like the Airbus A380 weigh over 1 million pounds. To become airborne with all this weight, airplanes must produce … Read More

Dust Caps: Keeping Plugs Safe From Debris

Leaving electrical connectors and ports uncovered may seem harmless enough, but it can lead to connectivity issues down the road. Fortunately, dust caps offer a solution. These small and simple accessories form a physical barrier over electrical connectors and ports. … Read More

What Are Indicator Lights and How Do They Work?

If you’ve ever stepped into a cockpit, you may recall seeing a collection of small lights. Known as indicator lights, they provide pilots with real-time insight into various systems. Some indicator lights are mounted on annunciator panels, whereas others are … Read More

What Is a Step Climb in Aviation?

Climbing is one of the most important phases of flight. As you may know, it involves an airplane ascending or “climbing” to a higher altitude. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) typically requires airplanes to fly at least 1,000 feet … Read More

The Beginner’s Guide to Clinch Nuts

A bolt alone isn’t always enough to hold two or more parts together. While some bolts are self-anchoring, such as lag bolts, most require a nut. You can drive a bolt through the parts. You can then twist a nut … Read More

What Is the Final Approach in Aviation?

Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or a once-a-year air traveler, you’ve probably heard of the “final approach.” It’s a term used extensively in the aviation industry. All flights have a final approach. What is the final approach in aviation, and … Read More

What Are Smoking Rivets and How Do You Prevent Them?

Rivets are synonymous with aerospace manufacturing. From small piston-engine aircraft like the Cessna 172 to large commercial jets like the Airbus A380, most airplanes use rivets in their construction. These permanent fasteners create strong joints that are better protected from … Read More

Understanding Ground Vibration or ‘Shake’ Tests in Aviation

Designing a new airplane is a time-consuming and methodical process. It took Boeing nearly a decade to design the 787, and it took Airbus nearly 15 years to design the A380. Testing is one of the most time-consuming processes when … Read More