What Are Scuff Hand Pads?

Sandpaper isn’t the only abrasive finishing tool with which you can use to remove surface imperfections. There are other finishing tools available, such as scuff hand pads. Developed by 3M, scuff hand pads are highly versatile. Here’s everything you need … Read More

5 Facts About Aerospace O-Rings

O-rings play an important role in the aerospace manufacturing industry. Also known as toric joints — a reference to their circular torus shape — they are designed to seal the spaces around hoses and other parts. Connection points for hoses … Read More

Tailstrike Prevention Measures Explained

Ever wonder how airplanes prevent trailstrikes? Tailstrikes are a concern for pilots. As the name suggests, they involve the tail of an airplane — specifically the underside of the tail or rear fuselage — striking the runway. Nearly all types … Read More

The Beginner’s Guide to Hose and Tube Cutters

Hoses and tubes are commonly used in airplanes. There are pneumatic and hydraulic hoses, for instance. The former carries pressurized air, whereas the latter carries pressure liquid. Airplanes use these hoses in various systems, such as landing gear and engine … Read More

What Is Adverse Yaw and What Causes It?

Have you heard of adverse yaw? Yaw, of course, is one of the three axes of flight. It represents the oscillation or rotation of an object, such as an airplane, around a vertical axis. Pilots can control the airplane’s yaw … Read More

Why Airplanes Use Knots Instead of MPH

Ever wonder why airplanes use knots to measure their speed instead of MPH? The speedometers in cars, trucks and other land-based vehicles display speed in MPH. The airspeed indicators in airplanes, however, display speed in knots. What Is a Knot? … Read More

How Retractable Landing Gear Works

Ever wonder how retractable landing gear works? With the exception of small private airplanes and commuter airplanes, most airplanes don’t have fixed landing gear. Instead, they have retractable landing gear. Their landing gear systems are concealed within the belly of … Read More

Alternative Wing Configurations: What Is a Canard?

Not all airplanes have a traditional wing configuration consisting of a single horizontal wing around the middle of the fuselage. There are alternative wing configurations available, one of which is a canard. Canards are commonly found on military jets. Some … Read More

What Is Erosion Tape and How Does It Work?

A little bit of erosion tape goes a long way at protecting the leading edges of airplanes from weather-related damage. You can apply it to the wings, tail assembly, landing gear and more. Once in place, erosion tape will create … Read More