Aerospace Engineering

Ever wonder how airplanes are able to take off from and land on unpaved runways? Unpaved runways often contain small rocks or gravel. If an airplane has one or more jet engines, it may suck up debris such as this. … Read More

Do you know the difference between light jets and very light jets? Business jets are often categorized by size. There are large jets like the Embraer Legacy 600 and 650, and there are mid-size jets like the Learjet 45 and … Read More

Jet engines may dominate the commercial aviation industry, but many airplanes still use propeller engines for propulsion. Propeller engines are commonly found on light aircraft, cargo airplanes and various military airplanes. They are typically more fuel-efficient for short-haul flights than … Read More

Most airplanes don’t use all-mechanical flight controls. Instead, they rely heavily on hydraulics. Hydraulic systems give pilots the force needed to move otherwise large and heavy control surfaces, such as flaps. To learn more about hydraulic systems and how they … Read More

Wire connectors come in a variety of styles. Some of them require nothing more than twisting, such as wing nut connectors. After stripping about 1 inch of insulation off the ends of both wires, you can place the exposed ends … Read More

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