Aerospace Engineering

When most people think of tape, they envision traditional cellophane tape. Consisting of transparent cellophane with adhesive on one side, cellophane tape is commonly used in classrooms and offices. In the aviation industry, other types of tape are typically used, … Read More

Airplanes can have hundreds of thousands or even a million individual parts. Some of these parts are well-known, such as the landing gear and control surfaces. Other parts, however, are often overlooked. Magnetic chip detectors fall under the latter category. … Read More

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