Aviation pioneers dreamed about the day we would experience electric flight, and long before the Wright brothers took to the sky in 1903, innovators were already experimenting with batteries and electric motors to power airships and balloons. In 1883, French military engineers Charles Renard and Arthur Constantin Krebs used batteries and electric motors to power “La France,” a steerable, hydrogen-filled airship. However, it was not until decades later that battery technology became advanced enough to power full-sized aircraft.

In order for flight operations to be safely and efficiently carried out, aircraft are fitted with a number of systems and technologies that assist the pilot in their various duties. One of the most important elements on an aircraft is the radio system which allows pilots to communicate with air traffic control (ATC) and other individuals as required. When communicating on radios, it is important to know all of the right frequencies and jargon to use. While it can be difficult to memorize everything, having a basic understanding of the most common frequencies is very important for any new or current pilot.

Sleeve bearings, often called bushings, journal bearings, or plain bearings, facilitate linear movement between two parts. Typically, they consist of a metal, plastic, or fiber-reinforced composite sleeve that has the capacity to reduce vibrations and noise through a sliding motion that allows them to absorb friction between the two moving parts. More than that, they are available at low price points, are easy to install, and require less maintenance than other bearings.

Both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft require frequent servicing and maintenance in between flights to ensure their optimal functionality. To carry out these tasks, a large set of ground support equipment (GSE) is necessary. More specifically, GSE is primarily utilized to help in aircraft repairs, ramp activities, turnaround operations, and line maintenance.

Aircraft magnetos are devices used to generate an electrical current to be used in the ignition system. In short, they consist of a coil assembly and a magnet rotor which interact with each other to generate current. The coil assembly has a primary coil which is made up of about 200 turns of heavy copper wire wound around an iron core, and a secondary coil which is a thin copper wire that is wound around the primary coil. Next to the coils is a permanent magnet which rotates when activated. As the magnet rotates, its poles continually change position so that a flowing current is generated in the primary coil. This current creates a powerful magnetic field in the iron core which encapsulates the whole coil assembly.

Aircraft engine mounts are one of the most important components on any aircraft. Their function is to connect the engine of an aircraft to its main body. As such, it is important that a proper mount fits well and is sturdy enough to handle the engine’s weight at different levels of torque during flight. Aircraft engines generate a lot of vibration and therefore engine mounts must be built to distribute that vibration and avoid damage to the engine, its mount, and all surrounding parts. There are several different types of mounts available, each suited for different applications and aircraft types. The following blog is a detailed discussion of the different types of aircraft engine mounts available along with certain details to consider for choosing the right mount.

As aircraft manufacturers across the globe begin to move toward more green initiatives, the fully electric powered aircraft is slowly becoming more of a reality. For most current engines, aircraft propulsion is made possible through the combustion of various types of fossil fuels for driving systems and generating thrust. With electric power systems, no combustion would take place, so it begs the question of how electric aircraft will achieve their propulsion. In this blog, we will discuss electric aircraft propulsion and how it works, allowing for you to have a better grasp on future technology and the changes it will bring.

Actuators are common devices found within a number of systems, serving to convert a control signal into manageable mechanical energy. As a form of energy converter, actuators produce motion that is rotary and linear, enabling basic machine functionality for countless apparatuses. Actuators often vary in their design and capabilities, and a major way to classify such devices is through the principle that enables their energy conversion capabilities. Hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, electrostatic, and electromechanical types are all options that one may use, each differing in their performance and applications. In this blog, we will be discussing the electromagnetic actuator in particular, allowing you to better understand its design and uses.

Cables and wires often account for 3% of the total weight of an aircraft. The figure 3% looks small when you consider it as a percentage, but the consideration changes when you convert the value into kilos. In recent decades, many have been trying to improve fleet fuel efficiency since the aviation industry spends one-third of its annual income on fuel. To comply with increasing rules and regulations concerning noise and fuel emission, it has become increasingly necessary for aircraft to be lighter and more energy-efficient.

While many commercial and transportation aircraft have standard sets of processes for undertaking an emergency landing, military aircraft pilots may not always be afforded the chance or ability to safely land their vehicle when something goes wrong. To ensure the safety of a fighter jet pilot, defense-oriented aircraft are often designed with what is known as a plane ejection seat. With aircraft ejection seats, pilots can be expelled from the cockpit of an aircraft quickly and easily.