Aerospace Engineering

Landing gear assemblies consist of more than wheels and shock absorbers. From small commuter jets to jumbo-sized commercial airliners, most aircraft landing gear assemblies feature torque links as well. They play an important role in stabilizing the wheels during takeoffs … Read More

Air traffic control (ATC) is synonymous with airports. Consisting of specialists known as “controllers” who operate out of towers, ATC communicates with incoming and outgoing aircraft to ensure safety. Their primary purpose is to maintain separation between all aircraft. While … Read More

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ever wonder why so many commercial jets have their engines mounted under their wings? Wing-mounted engines are common in the commercial aviation industry. With the exception of small and mid-size jets, most commercial jets have wing-mounted engines. They offer several … Read More