Aerospace Engineering

Have you heard of leading edge slots? They are commonly found on small and mid-size aircraft. Some airplanes have full-span leading edge slots, whereas others have partial-span leading edge slots. Regardless of the style, they use a similar design that … Read More

Need to make a quick repair to a noncritical aerospace part? Speed tape may offer a solution. It’s a special type of heavy-duty tape that’s designed for high-speed vehicles, including airplanes. Below are five facts about speed tape and how … Read More

Control cables are used extensively in the aerospace manufacturing industry. Many airplanes, as well as other types of aircraft, feature them. Also known as flight control cables, they are linkage systems that control the parts to which they are connected. … Read More

Ever notice hinge-like surfaces on the edges of an airplane’s wings? Known as wing flaps, they can affect flight forces like lift and drag. Most wing flaps are found on the trailing edge of an airplane’s wings. Pilots can activate … Read More

Contrary to popular belief, leaded fuel is still around. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) phased it out in the mid-1990s — but it allowed for certain exceptions. New cars, trucks and other automobiles are now prohibited from using leaded … Read More

Airplanes today are designed with many different failsafe systems, one of which is a Ram Air Turbine (RAT). RATs are auxiliary power systems. If an airplane loses power, the RAT will kick in. It will provide emergency power to keep … Read More

The airframe is an important part of an airplane. Encompassing the fuselage, wings, tail assembly and undercarriage, it’s the main mechanical structure. All airplanes have an aiframe. When designing airplanes, aerospace manufacturers must choose the right materials for the airframe. … Read More

Exterior lights are commonly found on airplanes. When staring up at the night sky, you may notice them illuminated on the bodies of airplanes. Both civilian and commercial airplanes feature exterior lights. Some of the most common types of exterior … Read More

Airplanes have their own speedometers to measure the speeds at which they fly. Known as an airspeed indicator, it’s a flight instrument found inside the cockpit. Pilots can refer to the airspeed indicator to determine their airplane’s speed. Using this … Read More