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. Read more >>

The procurement process in the aviation industry is similar to the procurement process in other major industries. It begins with the requisitioning process which is communicated to the supplier using a purchase order (PO). There are several ways to identify supply needs. Initial provisioning using the recommended spare parts list (RSPL) or the initial provisioning list (IP) is common for preparing a purchase request. The RSPL is a list of recommended spare parts that manufacturers of airplanes recommend; the IP is a similar list but only includes critical spares according to operational requirements. Companies may also have need-based demands which is when a spare part is needed and out of stock. A company may need to procure an item for replenishment action, which is the act of re-stocking low-cost parts when they reach a certain level. The needs identified are communicated to the purchasing department and they create a purchase request (PR), where delivery is scheduled, quality parameters are defined, and the request is authorized or rejected. Read more >>

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. Read more >>

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. Read more >>

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. Read more >>