ASAP Fasteners Blog

In 1933, the famous eyepatch-wearing Wiley Post touched down in New York after completing the first around-the-world solo flight in seven days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes. This being his second famous flight, Post had completed an around-the-world trip just two years earlier with navigator Harold Gatty onboard to keep him on course and alert. So how was he able to complete a similar flight with no partner on board? The answer, of course, was autopilot, which kept him flying in the right direction while resting. This was not the first time autopilot was employed, nor would it be the last, as autopilot has now become a common feature on aircraft that uses many of the same basic principles as were utilized on Post’s flight more than a century ago.

How Does Autopilot Work On Aircraft?

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.

Aircraft ailerons are important flight surfaces, providing pilots increased control during rolls to conduct safe changes in flight paths. Aileron functionality can be made possible through the use of Aircraft Hydraulic Actuation Systems (AHAS), those of which utilize a mix of technology to adjust surfaces in an efficient and reliable manner. One important element of aileron actuation systems is the mode valve, that of which we will discuss more in detail in this blog so that you may understand its role in simulation and modeling.

Aircraft ailerons are important flight surfaces, providing pilots increased control during rolls to conduct safe changes in flight paths. Aileron functionality can be made possible through the use of Aircraft Hydraulic Actuation Systems (AHAS), those of which utilize a mix of technology to adjust surfaces in an efficient and reliable manner. One important element of aileron actuation systems is the mode valve, that of which we will discuss more in detail in this blog so that you may understand its role in simulation and modeling.

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.

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.

Both turboprop engines and turbofan engines are turbine engines that thermodynamically operate the same, producing thrust for flight. The two engines function in slightly different ways and use unique processes to make use of exhaust, and to produce thrust. Both types offer benefits for different operations, so it is helpful to understand what defines each. Depending on your specific aircraft, either a turboprop or a turbofan could be a better option for purchase, so this blog will explore the ins and outs of each type.

Modern aircraft are designed to operate under various stressors, one of which is weight. Although the exact capacity that each plane can tolerate differs significantly, an average-sized commercial aircraft typically holds 175,000lbs upon takeoff. With such immense weight applied to the vessel, it is critical for the flight crew to perform accurate calculations that can accurately determine the aircraft's center of gravity while also predicting if that point will change during flight. These requirements are called load and trim calculations, and this area of aircraft safety is tightly regulated by FAA mandates. In this blog, we will discuss the procedures and calculations associated with aircraft load in trim while also discussing the risks associated with improper estimations.

Aircraft contain numerous systems that require tubing, bearings, valves, and more. One of the most important, but often overlooked, structural components are flexible hoses. Flexible hoses are utilized in aircraft fluid systems in particular to connect moving parts with stationary parts in areas that are subject to vibration or where increased flexibility is needed. More than that, flexible hoses can serve as a connector in metal tubing systems.

Compact in design and energy-efficient, servo motors are actuators that serve countless applications. These features enable them to operate remote-controlled or radio-controlled toy cars, robots, and aircraft. Furthermore, they find use in pharmaceutics, in-line manufacturing, and food services. Versatile in function, this blog will cover how they work and their importance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bearings are common elements of moving assemblies, serving to bear loads and reduce friction between contacting surfaces in motion. Thrust bearings in particular are a more specialized type, capable of taking on the axial loads of rotating devices. Such bearings can come in a number of forms to cater towards different applications and requirements, and common types include rolling element thrust bearings and fluid-film thrust bearings. In this blog, we will discuss the main thrust bearing types that are available on the market to help you find exactly what is needed for your operations.

Bearings are common elements found in applications ranging from clocks to industrial machinery, implemented within assemblies to reduce friction between moving surfaces and to smooth rotational motion. While bearings serve to prevent the quick breakdown of various assemblies, they themselves can also face wear and tear over time. In order to maintain the service life and reliability of bearings, one must conduct regular maintenance and proper handling procedures.

Fasteners are extremely common elements for aircraft construction, often accounting for half of the total parts of many popular airline models. As fasteners are components tasked with joining parts together to form assemblies, they can come in a plethora of types to accommodate diverse needs and materials. While common fasteners such as rivets, bolts, screws, and nuts are well discussed in the aviation sector, some may be unfamiliar with the more specialized types that serve important roles for aircraft construction. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of some of the special types of aircraft fasteners that are commonly used, allowing you to understand their applications and importance.

Machine pins, also known as pin fasteners, fastening pins, or simply pins, are a type of specialty fasteners used to align and join two components together. Pins are available in semi-permanent and quick-release models. Semi-permanent pins may require additional pressure or tools for installation and removal, while quick release pins will typically feature a spring-loaded mechanism which locks them into place to allow for easy installation and removal. Additionally, pins come in a broad range of sizes and materials with different designs to suit a wide array of applications.