Airplanes are often equipped with multiple hinge-like control surfaces on their wings, including flaps and slats. In their default position, flaps and slats remain flush with the wings. Pilots can lower these control surfaces, however, to increase lift or drag. … Read More
Are you familiar with grommets? Consisting of a ring-shaped piece of material with a hole in the center, they look like rubber O-rings. While O-rings are used to seal mating surfaces and joints, however, grommets are used for other purposes. … Read More
Whether it’s a large Airbus A380 or a single-engine Cessna 172, most airplanes rely on landing gear to touch down on the runway. Landing gear consists of wheeled assemblies that allow airplanes to roll on hard surfaces, such as runways. … Read More
No airplane is immune to the effects of turbulence. If you’re a seasoned flyer, however, you may have noticed that bigger airplanes typically experience less turbulence. A Boeing 737, for instance, will almost certainly experience more turbulence than a smaller … Read More
Turbofan engines are synonymous with the commercial aviation industry. With the exception of small passenger jets, most commercial jets use them as their main source of propulsion. Not to be confused with a turbojet, a turbofan is a type of … Read More
Blind rivets have revolutionized the way in which parts are fastened. Unlike traditional rivets, they don’t require access to both sides of the parts. They are known as “blind” rivets because they only require access to the front of the … Read More
Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or a student in training, you’ve probably heard of preflight checklists. It plays an important role in aviation safety by ensuring that pilots don’t forget any critical tasks. Pilots will start at the top of … Read More
Choosing the right drill bit is important when dealing with tough materials. While an inexpensive aluminum drill bit may suffice for wood, harder and stronger materials require a different approach. Fortunately, drill bits are available in a variety of styles, … Read More
Are you familiar with aircraft firewalls? Not to be confused with the digital cybersecurity tool of the same name, a firewall is a wall-like fireproof structure. It’s used to control and prevent fires from spreading. If a fire breaks out, … Read More
