Cotter pins offer an easy and reliable way to hold metal rods in place. Also known as cotter keys, they consist of a single U-shaped piece of metal. The two tines are typically the same length or nearly the same … Read More
Not all airplanes have fixed, unmovable tail assemblies. Whether it’s a small Cessna 172 or a jumbo-sized Airbus A380, it will likely have two horizontally hinged surfaces known as elevators. Here are six facts about elevators and how they work. … Read More
You don’t have to rely on soldering or heat shrink tubing to join electrical wires. There are other solutions available, such as crimp splice connectors. Also known as butt splice connectors, they consist of an insulated outer sleeve and a … Read More
Bolts are commonly used in the construction of airplanes and other types of aircraft. Consisting of a threaded shank and an integrated head, they are used to fasten two or more parts. Bolts, however, are available in different styles, such … Read More
Do you know the difference between fuel-injected and carbureted aircraft engines? Whether it’s a small propeller-driven airplane or a wide-body commercial airliner, most airplanes today use one of these two types of engines. Both fuel-injected and carbureted engines burn a … Read More
Washers are commonly used to protect parts from stress-induced damage. These flat, disc-shaped fasteners are designed to distribute the load of a bolt or screw. Rather than driving a bolt or screw directly through an object, you can drive it … Read More
Of all the different controls in a typical airplane’s cockpit, few are as important as the control yoke. It’s the equivalent of a steering wheel in a car or truck. Pilots can essentially steer and change the airplane’s direction by … Read More
Cowl flaps play an important role in regulating engine temperatures in many airplanes. Located at the bottom of an engine’s cowling, they increase airflow to keep temperatures in check. Air will flow into the cowling and around the engine, thereby … Read More
Latch strikes play an important role in the function of many access panels, doors and enclosures. They are used in conjunction with a latch to provide a means of opening and closing the aforementioned objects. After installing a latch and … Read More
