The advent of autopilot systems has revolutionized the way in which pilots control airplanes. Autopilot systems are computer systems that, as you may know, are designed to automatically control airplanes. While autopilot sounds self-explanatory, though, there are several common myths … Read More

Have you heard of grease fittings? They are commonly used on aircraft bearings. Bearings can wear down over time. As they restrict or constrain the motion of the parts with which they are used, bearings will be exposed to friction. … Read More

Pilots don’t rely on a single metric to determine the temperature of the air outside of an airplane. Most cockpits display several different air temperatures, including total air temperature (TAT), static air temperature (SAT) and International Standard Atmospheric (ISA) temperature … Read More

Ring terminals offer a simple and effective way to connect electrical wires to circuit points. Also known as ring connectors, they are characterized by the use of a ring-shaped conductive stud. After securing an electrical wire to the opposite end, … Read More

You shouldn’t use general-purpose tape on wires. Wires carry electricity. When exposed to electricity, general-purpose tape may melt or ignite. For wires and other electrical applications, there’s no better choice than electrical tape. What Is Electrical Tape? Electrical tape is … Read More

Wings are an essential part of all airplanes. In the field of aeronautics, they are airfoil structures that generate lift. As air flows over and under an airplane’s wings they’ll generate lift. Lift, of course, is the invisible force that … Read More

When shopping for washers, you may come across flat and dimpled washers. They are two of the most common types of washers. Flat and dimpled washers are both disc-shaped fasteners, and they are both used to distribute the load of … Read More

Switches aren’t limited to consumer electronics. They are used in a variety of applications, including airplanes. Aircraft switches work like most other switches, but they are designed for airplanes, helicopters or other aircraft. What are aircraft switches exactly, and how … Read More

Landing gear is an essential component of all airplanes. Located in the undercarriage, it consists of wheels, cables, bakes and other parts that allow airplanes to safely move on the runway. Whether they are taking off or landing, pilots must … Read More