Quarter-Turn Fasteners vs Traditional Threaded Fasteners

When most people think of fasteners used in the aerospace industry, they envision traditional fasteners. Modern airplanes, however, are manufactured using a variety of fasteners. In addition to traditional threaded fasteners like screws and bolts, many airplanes now feature quarter-turn … Read More

Common Head Styles for Airframe Bolts

You can ignore the head style when shopping for airframe bolts. Most airplanes use thousands or even hundreds of thousands of bolts in their construction. Along with rivets, airframe bolts are one of the most common. They are designed to … Read More

What Is a Toggle Switch Guard?

Toggle switches are commonly found in aircraft cockpits. They typically feature an ON-OFF position that, as the name suggests, can be toggled. Fuel pumps, navigation lights, beacon lights and various avionics, for instance, are often controlled with a toggle switch. … Read More

Twist-On vs Crimp-Style Wire Nuts: What’s the Difference?

Wire nuts offer an easy and effective way to connect two or more wires. Also known as wire caps, they consist of a cylindrical hollow tube that’s open on one end. After stripping insulation off the wires, you can place … Read More

Locking Mechanisms to Prevent Aerospace Fasteners From Loosening

Ever wonder what locking mechanisms engineers use to prevent aerospace fasteners from loosening midflight? Airplanes rely on fasteners to create strong joints and hold various parts together. A typical Boeing 767, in fact, has nearly 2 million fasteners. Even smaller … Read More

Screwlock Assemblies: Everything You Need to Know

Have you heard of screwlock assemblies? They are commonly used in the aviation industry. Airplanes, of course, produce vibrations. If left unchecked, these vibrations can cause electrical connectors and components to come loose. Screwlock assemblies, however, offer a simple and … Read More

Will Stainless Steel Screws Corrode Aluminum Panels?

Choosing screws made of the right material is important when fastening aluminum panels. While they all feature a partially or fully threaded shank, screws are available in different materials. Some of them are made of stainless steel. Other screws are … Read More

Heat Shrink Tubing: What You Need to Know

Heat shrink tubing is commonly used in aircraft electrical systems. From the cockpit and cabin to the landing gear and hydraulic bays, many parts of an airplane have electrical systems. They feature an array of wires that transmit and receive … Read More

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Fire Sleeve

Fire protection is a critical part of aircraft engineering. Among the many components that protect airplanes and other types of aircraft from fire hazards are fire sleeves. Consisting of hollow tubes or “sleeves” made of fire-resistant materials, they shield hoses, … Read More