Washers offer a simple but effective way to protect fastened parts from tension-related damage, such as cracking. With their flat, disc-like shape, they distribute the load of threaded fasteners across a larger area. As you drive a threaded fastener into … Read More
Ever notice how most airplanes have curved tips at the end of their wings? Known as winglets, they are a common feature of commercial jets. Boeing 737 jets and Airbus A320 jets, for instance, have winglets. Their wings aren’t completely … Read More
When shopping for fasteners, you may come across the term “class threads.” Many screws, bolts and other types of fasteners have threads. Consisting of helical grooves or ridges, they allow fasteners to connect with each other. The tolerances of these … Read More
Ever wonder how an airplane’s center of gravity affects its stability? Regardless of size or shape, all objects have a center of gravity. It’s the point where the object’s weight is concentrated and, thus, acts as a balancing point. Like … Read More
Turbofans have revolutionized the aviation industry. Not to be confused with turbojets, turbofans now power nearly all commercial airliners. Most commercial airliners feature one or more turbofans. Turbofans are airbreathing jet engines with an air intake, combustion chamber and an … Read More
Have you heard of downwash? It’s an important concept in the aviation industry. From small single-engine airplanes like the Cessna 172 to jumbo-sized commercial jets like the A380, all airplanes rely on air movement to generate lift. As air moves … Read More
Ice formation is a common phenomenon with airplanes. As they ascend, airplanes are exposed to cooler air. The air temperature at 35,000 — the cruising altitude for most commercial airliners — is around minus 50 degrees to minus 60 degrees … Read More
Not all aircraft rely on lifting surfaces to generate lift. Some of them use rotating blades, instead. Known as rotorcraft, they play an important role in modern aviation. Rotorcraft include helicopters, gyroplanes and quadcopters. While there are nuances between them, … Read More
Rivets are available in many different materials. In addition to aluminum and steel, titanium is a common material in which they are made. Featuring the atomic number 22, titanium is a silvery chemical element that’s found in Earth’s crust. It … Read More
