Nutplates offer a convenient anchoring solution for bolts. Also known as anchor nuts and plate nuts, they consist of a flat base — typically made of stamped sheet metal — that’s connected to a threaded tube. The threaded tube supports … Read More
The wings on a typical airplane aren’t completely flat or fixed. Rather, they typically feature flaps. Some airplanes have ailerons or spoilers on their wings, for instance, whereas others have droop flaps on their wings. What are droop flaps exactly, … Read More
When most people think of aircraft engines, they envision the turbofan. The turbofan is a type of jet engine that uses a gas turbine to power a ducted pan. It burns a mixture of jet fuel and air. Exhaust gases … Read More
Rivets are available in a variety of materials, one of the most common being aluminum. From the 2117-T “field” rivet to the 1100 rivet, 5056 rivet and more, most rivets used in aerospace manufacturing are made entirely or mostly of … Read More
Do you know the difference between aviation oil and grease? Airplanes, as well as helicopters and other types of aircraft, produce friction. If left unchecked, friction can lead to premature wear and tear that jeopardizes the airplane’s integrity. Fortunately, aviation … Read More
You can’t believe everything you read and hear about tail fins. Tail fins, of course, are part of aircraft tail assemblies. Most airplanes have a single tail fin on their tail assembly or empennage. Unfortunately, tail fins are shrouded in … Read More
Flight delays are more than just an inconvenience; they can ruin travel plans while disrupting passengers’ daily lives. If you regularly travel by flying, however, you’re bound to encounter some delays. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) says that … Read More
High-speed steel (HSS) and cobalt are two common types of drill bits. They are both used in conjunction with a power drill to create holes in objects. HSS and cobalt drill bits, however, are made of different materials. For a … Read More
Ever wonder how cockpit windshields protect against bird strikes? The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says that roughly 47 airplanes are struck by birds on any given day. Most bird strikes involve the cockpit windshield. A bird or flock of … Read More
