The Beginner’s Guide to Castellated Nuts

When researching some of the different types of nuts used in the aerospace manufacturing industry, you may come across castellated nuts. They are one of the most common types of non-self-locking nuts in airplanes. Castellated nuts are essentially castle nuts. They feature … Read More

How Fuse Boxes Work in Airplanes

Fuses are commonly used in the electrical systems of airplanes. Up until the mid-1960s, in fact, they were the primary form of protection for electrical devices in airplanes. While many modern airplanes now feature circuit breakers, fuse boxes aren’t obsolete. … Read More

What Are Retaining Rings and How Do They Work?

When most people think of fasteners, they envision nuts and screws. While threaded fasteners such as these are common, there are other fasteners that don’t feature any threading. Retaining rings fall under the latter category. They are used in fastening … Read More

The Beginner’s Guide to Grommets: What You Should Know

When shopping for aerospace parts, you may come across grommets. Not to be confused with eyelets, they are used to create finished holes. There are different types of grommets. Some of them are made of plastic, whereas others are made … Read More

What Are Drain Valves and Why Do Airplanes Need Them?

Drain valves are small parts that play a big role in the safety and performance of modern airplanes. Most airplanes feature multiple drain valves. What are drain valves exactly, and why do airplanes need them? Overview of Drain Valves Drain … Read More

What Are Bushings? Here’s What You Should Know

Bushings aren’t used exclusively in automobiles. They are used in airplanes as well. Both rotary and jet engine airplanes feature bushings. While they are small and simple components, bushings play an important role in the function of airplanes. What are … Read More

An Introduction to AN Bolts and Why They Are Used in Airplanes

Threaded fasteners are a common component of nearly all airplanes. Wide-body commercial airplanes, in fact, have millions of threaded fasteners. While different airplanes are designed with different types of fasteners, many of them feature AN bolts. AN bolts are one … Read More

How Bonding Jumpers Are Used in Airplanes

When shopping for electrical components to use in an airplane, you may come across bonding jumpers. They are commonly used in most private and commercial airplanes. As shown in the adjacent photo, bonding jumpers feature a simple design consisting of … Read More

Tinnerman Nuts vs Tinnerman Washers: What’s the Difference?

When shopping for aerospace fasteners, you may come across Tinnerman nuts and Tinnerman washers. They are special types of fasteners that are used extensively in the aerospace industry. What Are Tinnerman Nuts? Also known as speed nuts, Tinnerman nuts rectangular-shaped … Read More