Air Filters: Understanding MERV Ratings

You can’t ignore the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) when shopping for an air filter. Air filters aren’t limited to air conditioning systems and furnaces. You can also find them in automobiles, machines and even airplanes. Regardless of the type, … Read More

6 Common Myths About Sheet Metal Screws

Sheet metal screws offer a convenient fastening solution for metal sheets. They feature a threaded shank with a pointed tip. Using a sheet metal screw, you can fasten metal sheets. However, there are several common myths about sheet metal screws … Read More

What Are Tooth Washers and How Do They Work?

Washers are commonly used to distribute the load of threaded fasteners. When you drive a threaded washer through two or more parts, the load will be focused directly below the head. This concentrated tension can damage parts, which is where … Read More

How Pilots Decide the Altitude for a Flight

The typical cruising altitude for a commercial airliner is about 31,000 to 42,000 feet. After taking off, pilots will climb to this altitude before leveling off. Pilots, however, take into account many factors when deciding the specific altitude for a … Read More

Do Aircraft Propeller Blades Need to Be Replaced?

If you own or are thinking of owning a turboprop airplane, you might be wondering whether the propeller blades need to be replaced. Many aircraft parts have a finite lifespan. Landing gear tires, for instance, typically need to be replaced … Read More

What Are Tunda Tires on Airplanes?

Tires are an essential part of a typical airplane’s landing gear. With the exception of seaplanes, which have floats or pontoons that allow for water-based landings, nearly all airplanes have tires. Some airplanes, however, have different types of tires than … Read More

What Are Solid Rivets Made Of?

Solid rivets play an important role in the aerospace industry. Consisting of a cylindrical shaft and a mushroom-shaped head, they are designed to permanently hold two or more parts together. A hole is initially drilled through the parts, after which … Read More

ATG vs Satellite Internet in Airplanes

Ever wonder how in-flight internet works? Most homes and businesses leverage a landline connection. Internet service providers (ISPs) run copper or fiber optic lines to their customers, which carry data. Airplanes, of course, don’t have a landline connection, so they … Read More

The Beginner’s Guide to Beacon Lamps

Modern-day airplanes are fitted with a variety of lights. In addition to flashing strobe lights, for instance, most of them feature beacon lamps. What are beacon lamps exactly, and why do airplanes have them? What Are Beacon Lamps? Beacon lamps … Read More