Not all airplanes have flat, straight wings. On the contrary, many of them have wingtip devices to reduce drag. Wingtip devices are aerodynamic surfaces located at the end of the wings. They typically feature a curved shape, which helps to … Read More

When shopping for rivets, you may come across oscar rivets. They are commonly used in the aerospace industry. Like other rivets, oscar rivets are permanently fasteners. Once installed, they will continue to hold together the parts with which they are … Read More

Commercial airplanes typically rely on an environmental control system (ECM) to maintain a comfortable cabin environment. When flying at 30,000 feet, airplanes must pressurize their cabins. Pressurization allows for a safer flight experience for passengers by allowing them to breathe … Read More

Composite fuselages have become increasingly common in the aerospace industry. Some of the world’s first airplanes were designed with wood frames. Shortly thereafter, all-metal frames became the standard. While some airplanes today still use an all-metal frame, such as an … Read More

Fasteners aren’t limited to traditional nuts and bolts. There are dozens of different types of fasteners, each of which features a unique design. In the aerospace industry, for instance, quarter-turn fasteners are commonly used. What Are Quarter-Turn Fasteners? Quarter-turn fasteners … Read More

Line-replaceable units (LRUs) are commonly used in airplanes. Also known as line-replaceable items and line-replaceable components, they consist of aircraft components that can be removed and replaced on the fly. Airplanes are complex vehicles with many different components. When taking … Read More

Airplanes don’t run on the same type of gasoline as cars, trucks and other road vehicles. Whether commercial or private, most airplanes use either jet fuel or aviation fuel. They are the two most common types of airplane fuel. When … Read More

Rivets are commonly used in the aerospace industry to secure two or more parts together. They are permanent fasteners that, once installed, won’t loosen due to vibrations or other external forces. While most rivets feature a cylindrical body, though, they … Read More

Toothed washers have become a popular alternative to traditional washers. Like all washers, they are used in conjunction with a threaded fastener. Washers distribute the load of a threaded fastener. Only toothed washers, however, feature serrations or “teeth.” What are … Read More