5 Common Uses for Washers

Along with nuts and bolts, washers are one of the most commonly used fasteners. They typically consist of a ring-shaped piece of metal with a threaded interior. Before placing a bolt through two objects that require joining, you run the … Read More

The Different Types of Aircraft Paint

Airplanes are typically painted for both aesthetics and functional purposes. It allows commercial airlines to display their logos and other forms of branding while also protecting airplanes from environmental-related damage. There are several different types of aircraft paint, however, each … Read More

Antiskid Systems: How Airplanes Land Without Without Skidding

Ever wonder how airplanes are able to land without skidding? It’s not uncommon for airplanes to touch the runway at speeds of up to 180 mph. In some cases, pilots must also deal with inclement weather. Most airplanes, however, are … Read More

What Is Feathering an Airplane?

When researching propeller airplanes, you may come across the term “feathering.” It’s commonly used when turboprop engines fail. Turboprop engines are a type of gas turbine engine that turns a propeller blade. When they fail, pilots will often feather the … Read More

Why Airplanes Fly Faster When Traveling East

If you regularly travel by air, you may notice that flights take less time when traveling East in the United States. You can fly between the same two cities on the West and East Coast. Flights to the East Coast, … Read More

How to Choose Hose Tubing

Hose tubing plays a critical role in many machines and systems. Consisting of a flexible and hollow conduit, it’s used to carry substances. Some types of hose tubing carry oil or fuel, whereas others carry air or gas. If you’re … Read More

What Are Rivet Cutters and How Do They Work?

Rivets have become a popular alternative to traditional threaded fasteners. They are used to hold two or more parts together — just like traditional threaded fasteners. The difference is that rivets are permanent, whereas threaded fasteners are temporary. If you’re … Read More

Static Wicks: How Airplanes Deal With Static Electricity

If you ever look at the trailing edge of an airplane’s wings, you may notice an array of small rod-like devices attached to it. These aren’t flight control surfaces. Rather, these unusual-looking appendages are static wicks. What Are Static Wicks? … Read More

The Beginner’s Guide to Flush Rivets

Rivets play an important role in the aerospace manufacturing industry. Like all fasteners, they are used to hold two or more parts together. Rivets, however, are permanent fasteners that resist external forces like vibrations. They don’t have threading like bolts … Read More