Aircraft need electrical energy to power things like avionics, instruments, and lights on the exterior and interior. This energy is provided by the aircraft’s generators, which work in direct current (DC). DC generators transform mechanical energy into electrical energy by generating voltage with a rotating armature surrounded by magnets, and then transferring this voltage to the aircraft’s stationary loads via a set of slip rings and brushes. However, the voltage created by this arrangement is AC, so a modified slip ring arrangement, known as a commutator, is used to change the AC produced in the generator loop into a DC voltage.

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Used in stationary applications where long, relatively straight runs are possible, rigid tubing is a recognizable technique for the funneling of a liquid. Hydraulic systems use rigid tubing to carry pressurized liquid from the reservoir through various filters and valves. In the combustion system, hot exhaust gas is expelled out of an aircraft through a rigid tubing, known as the exhaust valve.

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In order to facilitate the proper functioning of an aircraft engine, and combat the issue of overheating, an aircraft cooling system is required. Inside the typical commercial jet engine, the fuel burns in the combustion chamber at up to 2,000 degrees Celsius. The temperature at which the metal inside an engine begins to melt is 1,300 degrees Celsius. So, advanced cooling techniques are vital to preventing engine damage. There are also many other types of cooling used for various components within an aircraft, as well as to regulate cabin temperature.

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Can you combine the power of a jet engine with the fuel efficiency of a propeller feature? The answer is— at certain speeds, yes. Yes, you can. Turboprop engines combine the functionality of a jet engine and a propeller unit to create a unique propulsion system. Most jet engines use the thrust of high velocity exhaust, but turboprops use the exhaust of a gas turbine core to drive a propeller that powers the aircraft. How does this work? The engine utilizes the tech of reverse flow.

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The creation of the aircraft gave humankind an invaluable resource— we can travel great distances in record time. Until now, there have only been two types of aircraft: rotorcraft and fixed-wing. Rotorcraft are aircraft with vertical capabilities for takeoff and landing, and capable of hovering (i.e. helicopters). They are commonly used for emergencies because they can get to many hard-to-reach locations. Fixed-wing aircraft are those that require a runway for takeoff and are not capable of hovering (i.e. planes). Fixed-wing aircraft are used primarily for commercial air travel over longer distances.

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Industrial gearboxes are important components with many applications in many industries. They’re a mechanical device used for torque increase or decrease via speed decrease or increase, accordingly. One of the most popular gearboxes is the worm gearbox.

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It’s one of those weird quirks that only Americans seem to do and get made fun of on the internet for: clapping when the plane lands. It seems silly and completely unnecessary. But when you really think about how many things go into making sure the plane flies and lands smoothly, clapping because your plane landed safely and smoothly is not that ridiculous. There’s a lot of ways that a plane’s landing system can be damaged. Fortunately, there’s also a lot of ways that the pilot and mechanics can check the landing systems. Here are the 3 easiest ways to know if the landing systems are compromised.

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Tail Wheel-Type Landing Gear

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With a wide variety of different cargo aircraft options, it may be difficult to choose an aircraft to meet an individual’s needs and requirements. Understanding which aircraft holds the best payload capacities, special loading construction benefits, largest wingspan, best ranges, and more are interesting facts about cargo aircraft that may aid individuals in choosing the best option.

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Is your plane radio on the fritz? Have you already sunk hundreds of thousands of dollars into your radio system to make sure everything is working out right, and still had problems spring up? It could possibly be that you’re absentmindedly over looking a key component of the radio, your trusty antenna.

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