As aircraft continue to advance in terms of efficiency, aerodynamics, and performance, so too do the various internal equipment and furnishings within them. Aircraft seats are a constant evolving feature, airliners consistently finding new ways to improve the balance between weight and comfort. Regardless of whether a flight is short distance or international, customers will often remember an uncomfortable seat, possibly damaging the reputation of the airline. As reduced weight and integrity is paramount for fuel-efficiency, it is incumbent on the airliner to find a solution that can benefit the company while appeasing customers. To strike this perfect balance, many have been experimenting with various materials.

A majority of aircraft rely on the combustion of fuel-air mixtures to create the propulsion necessary for flight, and the process of ignition is very controlled and regulated to ensure proper performance and operations. Many aircraft ignition systems take advantage of spark plugs for combustion, often coming in pairs for each cylinder unlike the standard one spark plug configuration found in automobiles. The presence of dual spark plugs is extremely important, however, ensuring reliability, power, and even combustion.

Gas powered turbine engines have been a common powerplant option for aerospace applications since the early 20th century, powering countless aircraft for the means of flight. Since their initial debut for powered flight, there have been a number of developments to such technologies. As of the present, there are four main types of turbine engines, each of which presents its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of each, allowing you to better understand their unique designs and functionalities.

As aircraft continuously become more advanced with the addition of robust glass cockpit systems, complex electronics, and more lighting options, such vehicles have significantly increased their demand for electricity in order to operate all powered systems on board. Depending upon the type of aircraft and the amount of powered systems that are present, electricity is often either produced through the use of an alternator or generator. Both of these systems utilize a fairly similar approach to creating electricity, relying on the rotation of the engine, the use of magnets, and other components for generation.

The steam turbine is a type of heat engine, capable of harnessing thermal energy from pressurized steam in order to drive an output shaft. Through the process of generating rotary motion, steam turbines are quite efficient in operating electrical generators for power production, so much so that they account for nearly 85% of all electricity generation in the United States. With their grand importance to the production of electricity, having an understanding of the working principle and functions of a steam turbine can be very useful.

Gyroscopes are the key part of any inertial navigation system. They were invented more than a century ago and are used as a reference point to understand the inertial point of a moving body. From small ships to advanced spacecraft, quality gyroscopes have proven to play a major factor in the performance of a mission. In many cases, the gyroscope has been a ‘make or break’ device. As gyroscopes have evolved, so too have their applications. They have a vast and diverse array of applications, ranging from monitoring the orientation of an aircraft, or guiding an unmanned aircraft during flight, to stabilizing the frames of a camera. Other areas where gyroscopes are used include ballistic missiles, guiding the process of building runnels, fire control systems, satellite navigation, and more.

For a pilot to efficiently direct an aircraft through all stages of flight, they rely on various flight control systems and devices. Flight controls are what allow a pilot to manipulate the attitude and flight path of an aircraft, and they are made up of various primary and secondary flight controls. With all controls permitting the governance over various aerodynamic factors that affect flight, it is paramount that pilots are very familiar with each tool available to them and how they may be used for achieving control over the aircraft. In this blog, we will discuss the more common flight control systems present on aircraft, allowing you to familiarize yourself with how they function and are used.

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 is an interface standard for serial bus high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer. This standard was developed in the 1980s and 1990s through a joint effort led by Apple and supplemented by help from companies such as Sony and Panasonic. Aside from IEEE 1394, the interface has been given a number of names based on the company using it. For example, Sony called it i.Link, and Texas Instruments called it Lynx. However, its most recognizable name came from Apple, who called it the FireWire. In this blog, we will discuss the many types of FireWire connectors and their differences.

Whether an aircraft is in flight, on the ground, or taxiing, most require some sort of electrical power generation in order to operate electrical systems such as the NAV radio, intercoms, and transponder, Depending on the type of aircraft and its electrical needs, a number of methods may be used for power generation, ranging from batteries to alternators. In this blog, we will discuss the most common sources of aircraft power generation, allowing you to better understand how the electrical systems of aircraft are provided power. 

Despite being advanced machines, most types of aircraft engines require some sort of aid in the starting operation. An aircraft engine starting system is an electromechanical mechanism that applies mechanical energy to an engine, causing it to begin rotation. In both reciprocating and turbine engines, rotation enables the engine to begin its primary functions, allowing it to then take over and act in self-perpetuating motion. In this blog, we will discuss the aircraft engine starting system, as well as how it works in both reciprocating and turbine aircraft engines.