Contrary to popular belief, leaded fuel is still around. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) phased it out in the mid-1990s — but it allowed for certain exceptions. New cars, trucks and other automobiles are now prohibited from using leaded … Read More
Airplanes today are designed with many different failsafe systems, one of which is a Ram Air Turbine (RAT). RATs are auxiliary power systems. If an airplane loses power, the RAT will kick in. It will provide emergency power to keep … Read More
Sealants offer quick and easy leaks. You can seal gaps, holes and open spaces by applying a sealant. In the aerospace industry, silicone rubber sealant is a popular choice. It’s used for the same sealing-related applications as other types of … Read More
The airframe is an important part of an airplane. Encompassing the fuselage, wings, tail assembly and undercarriage, it’s the main mechanical structure. All airplanes have an aiframe. When designing airplanes, aerospace manufacturers must choose the right materials for the airframe. … Read More
Turnbuckle barrels are commonly used with aircraft cables. As shown in the adjacent photo, they feature a threaded barrel. You can run an aircraft cable through a turnbuckle barrel. After adjusting the cable to the appropriate tension, you can lock … Read More
Exterior lights are commonly found on airplanes. When staring up at the night sky, you may notice them illuminated on the bodies of airplanes. Both civilian and commercial airplanes feature exterior lights. Some of the most common types of exterior … Read More
Airplanes have their own speedometers to measure the speeds at which they fly. Known as an airspeed indicator, it’s a flight instrument found inside the cockpit. Pilots can refer to the airspeed indicator to determine their airplane’s speed. Using this … Read More
Not all gaskets are made of a synthetic polymer like silicone or rubber. You can find them in a variety of materials, such as copper. Copper gaskets are used in many of the same sealing applications as their all-synthetic counterparts, … Read More
Rivets are commonly used in the construction of airplanes. They are mechanical fasteners that, like other fasteners, are used to secure two or more parts. Rivets, however, are permanent mechanical fasteners. You can typically remove bolts and screws by turning … Read More
