Aircraft are advanced and complex machines, featuring a wide variety of systems and components that make safe and efficient flight operations possible. One of the most essential elements of a typical aircraft is the fuel system which is tasked with delivering a consistent flow of fuel to the engines for combustion. In order for a fuel system to optimally function, it must be able to uphold a set flow rate and pressure as fuel is drawn from tanks. In this blog, we will discuss aircraft fuel systems in more detail, allowing you to have a better grasp on their common parts, features, and functions.


Read more »


A wire harness is a collection of electrical cables, wires, and subassemblies encapsulated by exterior sheaths that are utilized to connect devices to their power source. The sheaths protect the internal components from physical damage and moisture and keep them organized. Some of the key components of wire harnesses include connectors, terminals, locks, wires, cables, and outer coverings. When selecting a wire harness for your applications, you must take into consideration the capacities of each component to ensure your devices are powered safely. As such, there are several types of wire harness components, all of which we will outline below.


Read more »


Many modern aircraft rely on external ground support equipment (GSE) for their engine starting process, allowing for the engine to be cranked and driven until the engine is capable of sustaining its own operations. The starting process for a gas turbine engine is typically conducted with the use of an Air Start Unit (ASU) that of which will typically be supplied at the aircraft stand of an airport for use while passenger boarding is near completion. To help you better understand the engine starting process, we will discuss the ASU, as well as the various accessories one may use to best take advantage of such equipment.


Read more »


Automobiles are advanced vehicle types that many rely on every single day, but some may not be familiar with the various mechanical systems that make their operations possible. For instance, having the ability to turn wheels left and right is an extremely important aspect of driving, and this capability is often provided by an assembly of mechanical components that work together as one drives. For a majority of passenger cars, small trucks, and SUVs, the ability to steer is made possible through the rack and pinion steering system. To help you better understand how this system benefits automobiles, we will discuss its design and functionality in more detail.


Read more »


There are a number of buttons in a cockpit that allow a pilot to control and navigate the aircraft with ease. Located in the nose of aircraft, these buttons are responsible for the various actions that pilots are able to use during takeoff, flight, and landing. With this in mind, this blog will provide a brief overview of all the buttons, switches, and levers found in the flight deck , allowing you to better understand their importance.


Read more »


The aircraft engine is paramount for standard flight operations, allowing for fuel-and-air mixtures to be combusted for the means of generating the necessary propulsion for lift. While in flight, engines and other aircraft apparatuses are constantly exposed to various stressors and elements, thus warranting the need for robust assemblies that can guard sensitive components. The nacelle of an aircraft is the housing that serves to protect the engine from such elements while increasing aerodynamics. Alongside guarding the engine, they also house instruments, fuel tanks, weaponry, and other equipment. In this blog, we will discuss the design and components of the nacelle, allowing you to better understand their use and importance.


Read more »


Bolts are indispensable components found in machines that we encounter daily. In fact, bolts are one of the most common and diverse fasteners on the market. Bolts come in a variety of shapes and sizes which will determine their application. In this blog, we will discuss how a bolt works, what the different types are, and the difference between a bolt and a screw.


Read more »


O-rings and gaskets are two common hardware components that are regularly compared to one another, both often being used to produce a seal between two or more mating components. O-rings and gaskets are found in countless assemblies ranging from plumbing assemblies to advanced machinery, serving to prevent leaking for the benefit of assemblies. Despite their shared role, both components do have their own unique designs and features that set them apart.


Read more »


Pillow block bearings are a type of housed bearing unit used with a machined mounting surface and found in mechanical power transmission systems where they support shafts and couplings. The shaft is perpendicular to the mounting screws and parallel to the mounting surface. Pillow block bearings can come in many types, such as ball bearing, cylindrical bearing, tapered roller bearing, or synthetic bushing. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of pillow block bearings.


Read more »


A flanged ball bearing is a type of ball bearing specially engineered to provide a precise mounting. This is done through the axial location of the bearing’s shaft ends, which stabilizes the bearing’s positioning to maximize the load support. When using a ball bearing with a shaft axis that is perpendicular to the mount, flanged bearings facility either rotary or linear movement. There are many types of bearing flanges, each with differing designs and cages tailored to their specific ball bearings to maximize their loading and speed capabilities while enabling the two devices to function harmoniously. Flange bearings are screwed in relation to the shaft axis, meaning flanged roller bearings consist of an insert attached to a relatively flat housing structure.


Read more »


D-subminiature connectors, sometimes called DB connectors or D-subs, are a versatile type of electrical connector. They derive their name from the unique D-shaped shield which protects all sides of the connector from both mechanical and electromagnetic interference. Additionally, the shields’ asymmetric shape ensures that it only attaches to its corresponding connector in the correct orientation. Within the D-sub, there are two or more parallel rows of pins (in the plug) or jacks (in the socket) aligned to match the equivalent contacts in the other half of the connector. The pins or jacks usually feature a gold tip surrounded by a layer of insulation made from a variety of materials such as glass or PBT, a plastic used for insulation.


Read more »


When you’re giving someone directions, odds are you’re doing so in relation to a separate location both you and the other person know. For instance, you might say something like “Go to the coffee shop on 5th Street and turn left.” This is because having an accepted position or reference point is extremely helpful in providing clear directions. This same concept is applied to astronomy, surveying, navigation, or any other related action.


Read more »


Needle roller bearings are specialized roller bearings that employ long, thin, needle-like cylindrical rollers. While standard roller bearing rollers are just minimally longer than their diameter, needle bearings have rollers that can be four times longer than their diameter or even more. Similar to a standard bearing, the purpose of needle roller bearings is to reduce the friction of a rotating surface. A significant advantage of needle roller bearings is their large surface area in contact with the tracks/races, allowing them to support a heavier load. Despite their large surface area, they are also thinner, meaning they require less clearance between the axle and surrounding component. This blog will provide some insight into needle roller bearings and their function in the aerospace and aviation industries.


Read more »


A fastener is a component that is often used in several different appliances including furniture, automobiles, and of course, airplanes. Manufacturers and others working in the supply chain industry find fasteners very useful because of the way they can attach and hold two or more objects together. Captive fasteners, however, operate a little differently. The captive fastener is embedded in one part of the object and then the other part of the object is then anchored inside the fastener.


Read more »


The aircraft battery is an essential component of aircraft as it acts as a primary source of power for most of the aircraft’s electrical needs, including cabin lighting, heating, air conditioning, etc. More significantly however, the aircraft needs a stable functioning battery because it will act as one of the last lines of defense in the case of an emergency.


Read more »


Unless they work directly in the aviation industry, most people aren’t aware of bulkhead seating on an airplane. That’s no surprise because on most flight booking sites that allow the option of choosing seats, there is no mention of bulkhead seats (though you can certainly see the option on the seat map). The bulkhead in an aircraft refers to the dividing walls between cabins (on smaller aircraft, this will usually be a curtain). The seats in front of this wall are the bulkhead seats.


Read more »


A loose bolt on heavy duty equipment may not seem like a big issue at first thought, but the reality is that the tiniest bolt can cause the biggest issues, if not properly installed. A loose bolt on a helicopter, for instance, can potentially cause a whole series of issues down the road. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on the bolts in your aircraft and be proactive in implementing measures to prevent them from becoming loose. Below you’ll see a few different reasons why a bolt may become loose and some things that you can do to prevent that.


Read more »


When you’re cruising at 35,000 feet, it’s important to know that you can rely on the many seals throughout the aircraft you’re on. Whether they’re on the exterior flaps or the cockpit fastener windshield, a failed seal can have a huge impact on an aircraft’s performance. Aircraft Seals have to be up to snuff to deal with harsh conditions like extreme weather, high air pressure and dramatic swings in temperature. Some seals are even exposed directly to fuel and chemicals during manufacturing or operation.


Read more »


Aircraft inspection plates, doors, and other removable panels are secured with turnlock fasteners because they allow quick and easy removal of panels for inspection and servicing. These fasteners require positive sustained torque to unfasten and tend to correct themselves after minor disturbances. The most common manufactured turnlock fasteners are Dzus, Camloc, and Airloc. Some of the common names used to refer to turnlock fasteners are quick opening, quick action, and stressed panel fasteners.


Read more »


Rivets are simple to install and a versatile alternative to nuts and bolts. For those of you who have never encountered a rivet, it is a cylindrical piece of hardware with a “head” and “tail” on either end.


Read more »


Recent Twitter Posts