Modern airplanes are no longer limited to aluminum airframes. While many of them do, in fact, contain some aluminum in their respective airframe, many airplanes now feature a composite airframe. The Boeing 787 features a composite airframe. According to the … Read More

Aircraft tape is a versatile product that all pilots should keep on hand. Also known as speed tape, it’s a type of durable and heavy-duty tape that’s designed for use on airplanes, helicopters and other aircraft. It looks like duct … Read More

Airplanes feature many different components. While you might be familiar with some of these components, such as the wings and landing gear, there are other components that go unnoticed. Some airplanes feature lift dumpers, for instance. To learn more about … Read More

When researching aircraft engines, you may come across turboprop and turboshaft. They are two common types of propeller-based engines. Some airplanes are powered by traditional jet engines, such a turbojet engines. Others, however, are powered by propeller-based engines, such as … Read More

Ever wonder what’s inside the nose cone of an airplane? Most commercial airplanes have a cylindrical tip at the front of the fuselage. Known as the nose can, it’s the forwardmost section. While some people assume that airplanes have an … Read More

Solid rivets are used extensively in the aerospace manufacturing industry. They are fasteners that, as the name suggests, feature a solid body. Other rivets feature a hollow body, whereas solid rivets feature a solid body. The structural parts of an … Read More

When shopping for nuts, you may encounter nyloc nuts. Also known as elastic stop nuts, they feature a nylon-based collar. Nyloc nuts are still used in conjunction with a bolt, and they are still used for the same purpose of … Read More

Ice isn’t just a concern for drivers on the road; it’s a concern for pilots as well. Ice may form on the body of an airplane while subsequently affecting the airplane’s lift, angle of attack and other flight dynamics. There … Read More

It’s not uncommon for ground support equipment to tow airplanes on the runway prior to takeoff. After all of the passengers have boarded, ground support equipment will manually tow the airplane away from the gate. The pilot will then start … Read More