Aerospace Engineering

Airplanes are equipped with several different types of lights. In addition to landing lights, for instance, they feature anti-collision lights. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires all airplanes to have them. What are anti-collision lights exactly, and how do … Read More

Airplanes are regularly exposed to stress. Commercial airplanes, for instance, typically have pressurized cabins that mimic the atmosphere of 7,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level. All of this pressure will push against the inner walls of the airplane’s body. … Read More

When most people think of spark plugs, they envision automotive engines. Most automotive engines have a single spark plug per cylinder. As shown in the adjacent illustration, they are small conductive devices that are designed to generate a spark. But … Read More

Unlike with cars and other land vehicles, most airplanes aren’t powered by a single engine. They typically feature multiple engines. The Boeing 737 and the Airbus A300, for instance, feature two engines. The Boeing 787 and the Airbus A380, on … Read More

Airplanes feature a variety of flight control surfaces, including horizontal stabilizers. Also known as tailplanes, horizontal stabilizers are adjustable flaps located on the tail of an airplane. They are used primarily to stabilize airplanes while simultaneously increasing lift. Not all … Read More

Ever wonder how airplanes slow down when flying? Faster isn’t always better. If an airplane is approaching a runway, it may need to slow down. While different types of airplanes feature different braking systems, many of them use air brakes. … Read More

Wet wing airplanes are on the rise. They are used in both military and civilian aviation. Many narrow-body and wide-body civilian airliners, in fact, use a wet wing design. What Is a Wet Wing Airplane? A wet wing airplane is … Read More

Airplanes must take precautions to prevent their fuel tanks from freezing. If ice forms inside of an airplane’s fuel tank, it may starve the engine or engines. Turbine engines require jet fuel. Without a constant supply of jet fuel, they … Read More

There are other types of airplanes besides narrow body and wide body. Short takeoff and landing (STOL), for instance, is an alternative type. Most STOL airplanes are still classified as narrow-body airplanes. But STOL airplanes are designed specifically for use … Read More