Understanding the functions of an aircraft’s various control surfaces is one of the most important parts of being a pilot. Each surface affects the aircraft’s aerodynamic profile in different ways, and how they work and when to use them are the most important things a pilot can know. This includes the flaps mounted on the wings, which are vital for take-off and landing procedures.
Like all industries, the aviation and aerospace sector continues to see change and new developments, with the global in-service fleet expected to grow by 3.9 percent. Here are seven major trends for the aviation industry in the upcoming year.
Radio communication with aircraft control is crucial for any aviator to safely and precisely navigate the skies. Because of this need, aircraft are fitted with radio equipment and a variety of antennas depending on their frequency band. Different aircraft require different antenna, with each having its own characteristics, applications, and location on the aircraft. This blog will explain the basics of aircraft antenna and a few of the radio communication systems in place today.
During WWII, when the need for aerospace and defense components was immense, the various supply chains struggled to keep up with demand. The problem stemmed from the fact that there was no formal classification system for components. If the military needed a component such as a fastener sourcing was confusing as, depending on the manufacturer, the fastener would have a different name. This also led to further supply problems such as discrepancies in supply. In one location there would be a surplus of fasteners, but in another location there was a deficit. In response to these sourcing issues, the U.S Department of Defense created the NSN system.
Composite materials are widely used in the aviation industry, and for good reason; their unique properties let engineers overcome design obstacles that would be otherwise impossible to solve. Common composite materials include fiberglass, carbon fiber, and fiber-reinforced matrix systems. Fiberglass is the most common and was first widely used in boats and automobiles in the 1950’s, the same decade Boeing introduced the material in its passenger jets. Today, aircraft structures are often made up of 50 to 70 percent composite materials. While composite materials have many advantages, there are also some detractors that fear they pose a safety risk in aviation. In this blog, we will break down the greatest pros and cons for composite materials in aviation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.