Aerospace Engineering

An environmental control system (ECS) is an important part of most airplanes. Commercial airplanes have an average cruising altitude of 31,000 to 38,000 feet. When flying at such high altitudes, they require an ECS. An ECS will create a safe, … Read More

Fasteners are an essential part of all airplanes. Commercial jets, for instance, contain an average of 1.5 to 3 million fasteners. Fasteners are used to hold components together. Two of the most common types of fasteners used in the construction … Read More

Leading edge cuffs are commonly found on airplanes. Also known as drooped leading edges (DLEs), it’s an adjustable surface on the leading edge of an airplane’s wing. It’s a form airfoil modification. Leading edge cuffs modify an airplane’s wings by … Read More

Not all nuts feature a hexagonal shape. Nuts are available in a variety of shapes and styles. Tinnerman nuts, for instance, feature a flat square or rectangular shape. Also known as speed nuts, they can be clipped onto sheet metal … Read More

Airplanes rely on landing gear for takeoffs and landings. It typically consists of a set of hydraulic-powered wheels. When landing, pilots will lower the airplane’s landing gear out of the undercarriage. While most landing gear systems feature hydraulic-powered wheels, though, … Read More

Aerospace drain valves are found on most airplanes. From commercial airliners to private and commuter airliners, most airplanes have multiple aerospace drain valves. Drain Valves Defined A drain valve is a fitting that’s designed to drain fluid from a given … Read More

Threaded fasteners don’t always stay in assemblies. They can fall or otherwise work their way out of assemblies. A simple solution is to use push-on retainers. Push-on retainers are retaining rings that slide over the shaft of a threaded fastener. … Read More

Many airplanes feature trim devices. A trim device is an adjustable flight control surface that allows pilots to change the aerodynamic forces to which the airplane is exposed. With trim devices, pilots won’t have to constantly apply pressure to control … Read More

O-rings are an important part of jet engines. Also known as toric joints, they are elastomeric mechanical seals in the shape of a ring. Like with other seals, O-rings prevent leaks from occurring. They will compress the mating surface of … Read More