Aerospace Engineering

Are you familiar with the mechanics of electrical switches? From computers and TVs to flight instruments and interactive touchscreens, nearly all types of electronics contain switches. These integrated devices are responsible for controlling the flow of electricity. Here are five … Read More

Ever wonder why the cabin air inside of a typical commercial jet is so dry? Some commercial jets have a relative humidity level of 20%, whereas others have a relative humidity level of just 5%. To put those numbers into … Read More

Ever wonder how the fuel system works on an airplane? Most airplanes run on fuel. They use a specific type of kerosene with a lower freezing point and a higher flash point than that of traditional gasoline. Airplane fuel systems, … Read More

Are you familiar with the different types of airspeed? While cars, trucks and other vehicles on the road typically have a single speed metric, airplanes have several speed metrics. They include indicated airspeed (AIS), true airspeed (TAS) and ground speed … Read More

Stabilizers are an important part of most airplanes. Located on the tail assembly, they live up to their namesake by providing stability. Stabilizers are essentially aerodynamic surfaces that stabilize the airplanes with which they are used. Here are six facts … Read More

T-tail empennages are undoubtedly popular. They are characterized by their T-shape design consisting of a single vertical stabilizer and a horizontal stabilizer. All airplanes have an empennage. Also known as the tail assembly, it’s the structure on the back of … Read More

Wire strikes are a concern for helicopters. According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), they account for nearly 6% of all single-turbine helicopter accidents and a little over 4% of all twin-turbine helicopter accidents. Wire strikes often involve power … Read More

When researching the different types of aircraft aluminum, you may come across 7178-T6 and 7079-T6. Aluminum is often used in the construction of airplanes. Roughly 80% of a typical Boeing 737, in fact, consists of aluminum. Airplanes don’t use ordinary aluminum, … Read More

A typical commercial airplane features several types of exterior lights. In addition to tax lights, for instance, most of them feature landing lights. When preparing to land at night, pilots will use these lights to improve their visibility. What Are … Read More