Aerospace Engineering

Are you familiar with aircraft firewalls? Not to be confused with the digital cybersecurity tool of the same name, a firewall is a wall-like fireproof structure. It’s used to control and prevent fires from spreading. If a fire breaks out, … Read More

Cotter pins offer an easy and reliable way to hold metal rods in place. Also known as cotter keys, they consist of a single U-shaped piece of metal. The two tines are typically the same length or nearly the same … Read More

Not all airplanes have fixed, unmovable tail assemblies. Whether it’s a small Cessna 172 or a jumbo-sized Airbus A380, it will likely have two horizontally hinged surfaces known as elevators. Here are six facts about elevators and how they work. … Read More

Do you know the difference between fuel-injected and carbureted aircraft engines? Whether it’s a small propeller-driven airplane or a wide-body commercial airliner, most airplanes today use one of these two types of engines. Both fuel-injected and carbureted engines burn a … Read More

Of all the different controls in a typical airplane’s cockpit, few are as important as the control yoke. It’s the equivalent of a steering wheel in a car or truck. Pilots can essentially steer and change the airplane’s direction by … Read More

Cowl flaps play an important role in regulating engine temperatures in many airplanes. Located at the bottom of an engine’s cowling, they increase airflow to keep temperatures in check. Air will flow into the cowling and around the engine, thereby … Read More

Flight recorders play an important role in aviation safety. Also known colloquially as “black boxes,” they store data about the airplane with which they are used. If an accident occurs, investigators can analyze the airplane’s black box to determine what … Read More

If you ever step into the cockpit of a light piston airplane, you may discover that it has an exhaust temperature gauge. Also known as an EGT gauge or EGT sensor, it reveals the temperature of the airplane’s exhaust gases. … Read More

As most seasoned pilots know, activating the ignition switch is one of the first steps to taking off from the runway. It’s the equivalent of inserting and turning a key in the ignition of an automobile. The ignition switch will … Read More