Aerospace Engineering

Given its strength, you may assume that steel is one of the most common materials used in the construction of airplanes. Depending on the type, it can have a tensile strength of over 150,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), making … Read More

The turboprop is a common type of aircraft engine. Not to be confused with turbofans, it features an air intake, compressor, combustion chamber and propeller. Air from outside the aircraft enters the turbofan via the air intake. The compressor will … Read More

Ever wonder how jet engines are initially started? Some airplanes are equipped with an auxiliary power unit. Consisting of a separate battery-powered turbine engine, the auxiliary power unit provides the air and electricity needed to start an airplane’s jet engines. … Read More

Do you know the difference between Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)? In the past, pilots often relied on VFR. Thanks to modern advancements in aviation, however, many pilots now use IFR. For a better understanding of … Read More

When researching aviation terms, you may encounter payload. It plays an important role in the safety, fuel efficiency and performance of modern airplanes. Regardless of size, all airplanes have a payload. Pilots and engineers must closely monitor the airplane’s payload … Read More

The advent of the autothrottle has transformed the aviation industry. It allows pilots to easily fine-tune the airplane’s engine power so that they can focus on other in-flight tasks. Prior to its invention, pilots relied on more complex and laborious … Read More

Winglets are a common feature of commercial airliners. Most commercial airliners don’t have straight wings. If you’ve ever looked out the window while flying, you may recall seeing the tips of the wings curving upward. Known as winglets, these curved … Read More

Light-emitting diode (LED) is known for being energy efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), LED bulbs are approximately 90% more efficient than traditional filament-based incandescent bulbs. With their energy-efficient properties, LED bulbs are a popular choice for … Read More

Ever wonder how oxygen masks work on airplanes? Before takeoff, flight attendants will typically show passengers where the oxygen masks are located and demonstrate how to use them. Because they are designed strictly for emergencies, however, most passengers never actually … Read More