Aviation Gamut Blog

Internal combustion engines are a marvel of engineering, powering vehicles and other impressive machines that greatly contribute to our society. Within these systems, engine valves play a pivotal role in overall functionality, regulating the flow of air and fuel into the combustion chamber and expelling exhaust gasses after ignition. In this blog, we will discuss common types of engine valves, as well as their diverse functions, to aid you in the efficient operation and repair of various combustion engines.

The realms of aviation and power generation owe a lot to the gas turbine engine. Whether it is the graceful propulsion of aircraft through the skies or the generation of electricity, gas turbine engines stand as linchpins in a multitude of applications. In this article, we explore the complex architecture of a typical gas turbine engine, delving into its basic components and functions.

Air compressors are the unsung heroes of many industries, providing a continuous supply of pressurized air for various applications. In this article, we will delve into the world of air compressors, exploring the different types available and how they work in the context of several common applications.

A fuselage serves as the main body of an aircraft, housing the pilots, crew, passengers, and cargo. Depending on the aircraft design, the wings and tail section may be attached to the fuselage. As such, it must be designed in such a way that the wings and tail are positioned so that the aircraft remains stable through the designed center of gravity envelope. As a requirement for all civil and general aviation aircraft, a stable vessel is one that tends to return to straight and level flight if the controls are released.

In recent years, the development of aviation electronics has made for an increasingly digitized collection of pilot systems in aircraft, along with continuously improving aerospace electronics. As an integral part of any electronics, circuit boards are one of the key components you will find in the controls on board a spacecraft. They direct the electrical charges needed to operate the various devices on board while taking up as little space as possible. However, in order to fulfill their duty within what can be a harsh working environment, the circuit boards used on spacecraft must also be sturdier than those used in everyday electronics. To learn more about what differentiates these printed circuit boards (PCBs) from those used in average electronics, you may read on as we discuss these crucial components in aerospace operations.

In the realm of electricity and electronics, there are two types of currents that are used: direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). While direct current has a constant voltage, alternating current will periodically switch between positive and negative states as directions change in accordance. Depending on whether you are charging a battery, using a washing machine, or any other activity with electrical systems, it is important to note that most applications necessitate the use of either AC or DC voltage specifically. In the instance that one is in a situation where there is no access to both types of voltage, a device known as a power inverter may be used. Power inverter systems are extremely useful and reliable, yet they can face various issues over time that may necessitate troubleshooting. As such, this blog will cover basic maintenance tips for inverters that can help you ensure continual operation.

All aircraft systems, from the reading lights to the entertainment screens are powered by electricity. Similar to a majority of engine-driven vehicles, aircraft produce electricity through the use of an alternator or generator. To do this, these devices utilize the engine’s rotational power to spin magnets mounted within a field coil to generate electricity.

A pressure transmitter, or pressure transducer, is a transducer that changes pressure into an analog electrical signal. While there are numerous types of pressure transmitters, the strain-gauge base transducer serves as the most popular. As such, first we will outline strain-gauge base transducers, as well as other common types, three major pressure references, and primary pressure signal outputs.

When dealing with electrical power or charging systems, the alternator is a major component that is crucial for the overall functionality of the application. Alternators are quite similar to generators in their conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy, but rather than creating direct current, alternators supply alternating current. Alternators may be found in a number of environments, commonly powering the systems of vehicles like automobiles and aircraft. To better understand the use and importance of alternators, we will discuss them in more detail below.

The landing process for airliners is intensive, requiring enough stopping power to slow an aircraft upwards of 127,000 pounds while it touches the ground at a speed of 160 mph. Nevertheless, it is a standard procedure that most aircraft can conduct with ease, thanks to ample training and various braking systems and components that are situated across the assembly. While an automobile or another similar vehicle may only require wheel braking systems to come to a stop, the standard jet-engine aircraft will utilize disc brakes, wing spoilers, and reverse thrust to effectively slow themselves. In this blog, we will talk about these three braking methods and how they each function, allowing you to have a better understanding of the landing process.

Knots, or nautical miles, are a unit of measurement used in aviation; however, the use of this system originates from early sea voyages. At sea, as well as in the air, there are no landmarks or significant indicators of distance. Of course, as technology advanced, other units of measurement became available to non-land-based travel, but knots are still used when measuring aircraft speed for a handful of reasons. On top of being an easy and familiar way to navigate in flight, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), recommends knots as the preferred unit of airspeed measurement. Today, the knot is a much more precise unit of measurement than it was at the time of its advent, but this blog will cover a brief history of airspeed knots as it provides insight to current flight practices.

Three scientists at Bell Laboratories, namely John Bardeen, William Shockley, and Walter Brattain, were credited with the invention of transistors in 1947, which soon replaced vacuum tubes as the standard regulators of electronic signals. Ever since their advent, transistors have brought a paradigm shift to the field of electronics, and nearly all electrical devices today are virtually inoperable without their implementation.

A transistor typically regulates the flow of voltage or current by serving as a gate or switch for all incoming electronic signals. Today, most transistors are essentially made up of three layers of semiconductor material, each of which can carry a certain amount of current. With this information in mind, we shall now discuss more about the function and design of modern-day transistors.

Pressure gauges are common devices in aircraft and other assemblies, serving to measure the pressure of a fluid, gas, water, or steam in a powered machine. Designed to conduct operations within a particular pressure range, pressure gauges monitor systems to identify any potential leaks or pressure changes that would negatively affect performance and safety. While an old technology that has been in use for more than a century, such devices still find many uses in the modern day.

Rubber has a seemingly endless amount of applications in manufacturing, finding use in automobiles, medicine, defense, petroleum, and many other industries. With inherent weatherproofing, flexibility, and fatigue resistance, rubber's utility cannot be understated. Two of the many products made from rubber are tubing and cords, which may be implemented in household and industrial projects. In this blog, we will highlight everything you need to know about these two practical rubber products, including their designs, types, and applications.

Snap hooks have long been used in a number of industries to temporarily suspend or secure an object or load. From everyday carry applications to sport climbing and industrial rigging, these strong components have become commonplace in society. In this blog, we will discuss the history, types, and applications of the two most popular forms of snap hooks: carabiners and bolt snaps.

Within the realm of aviation, accidents are actually quite rare despite some beliefs. Nevertheless, aircraft engineers and personnel must make sure that they are always well-prepared and trained for such a scenario in case it ever happens. In the instance of an aircraft crash, it is important that all passengers and crew members undertake the necessary actions to prevent bodily harm and uphold safety. In this blog, we will discuss the brace position, that of which is an instruction given to passengers to best prepare for a crash.

While electrical equipment is used as the primary power source in a wide variety of applications, it can be dangerous if not installed correctly. Energy sources and conductive wires can be harmful to humans and cause device failures if not grounded properly. While numerous devices and methods are implemented to ground electrical equipment, this blog will focus on the bonding strap.

Paying special attention to the performance of your equipment can substantially improve product quality and accuracy. However, to ensure the end result of a product or system consecutively meets pre-established guidelines, measurement equipment of various types should be calibrated based on their verified calibration level. As measurement devices are subjected to external phenomena from their surrounding environment, daily operational functions may disrupt measurement values. Within industries such as science fields and aviation, there are many instances where accurate calibrations need to be conducted. Therefore, let us talk about the various options available to find what solutions best suit your needs.

For apparatuses that function through the use of fluids, it is often imperative that there is a pump within the system that is capable of creating displacement and flow. With the use of a hydraulic pump, mechanical energy may be converted into fluid power energy with ease. Through positive displacement operations, the outlet flow of fluid is sealed from the inlet flow. With a hydraulic clutch, hydraulic components act to actuate the clutch of a system when a pedal or lever is pushed in. The use of a hydraulic clutch pump is quite similar, ensuring the functionality of various systems.

In order to optimally track all operational conditions during a flight operation for the means of safety and efficiency, aircraft have a number of dials, gauges, sensors, and indicators that measure and display various information. Gauges and devices can be used to measure numerous values, ranging from altitude to engine fuel pressure. Manifold pressure in particular is an important, yet misunderstood, value that is tracked by the manifold pressure gauge aircraft instrument. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of manifold pressure and the indicator manifold pressure gauge, allowing you to better understand such measurements and how they are used for carrying out flight operations.

AC motors are common equipment pieces that are capable of transforming electric energy into mechanical energy. With the various types of AC motors available, such apparatuses may benefit applications such as appliances, compressor drives and systems, conveyor systems, hydraulic pumps, HVAC equipment, transportation equipment, computers, and much more. Across all variations, AC motors conduct operations through the use of their stator and rotor, those of which are two electrical components that enable the conversion of electrical energy.

Electric motors are a staple element of countless industries and applications, serving as machines capable of transforming electrical energy into mechanical energy. With a plethora of motor types, sizes, and ratings, finding the correct fit for a particular need or use can be daunting at times. To find a best fit for a specific application, it can be highly beneficial to have a general understanding of some of the most common electrical motor types, their functionalities, and uses.

An SMD (surface mount device) is any electronic component made to use with surface mount technology (SMT). SMT was developed to meet the rising demand for PCB (printed circuit board) manufacturers to utilize smaller, faster, more efficient, and cheaper components. SMDs are smaller than through-hole resistors and, rather than have wire leads that go through PCB, feature terminations that are soldered to pads on the surface of the board. This eliminates the need for holes in the board, thereby allowing both sides to be used more thoroughly.

Aircraft rigging refers to the proper installation of airframe parts such as wings, ailerons, tail surfaces, and other components designed to do a specific aerodynamic job and contribute to the overall performance, stability, and safety of an aircraft. Proper rigging is important because it ensures the aircraft’s intended standards relating to performance, stability, and safety are met. An improperly rigged aircraft will see dramatic changes in flight characteristics in addition to impairing the safe control and operation as it was intended by the manufacturer.

When taxiing on a runway for various ground operations, aircraft rely on the nose wheel and actuator nose assembly in order to direct the aircraft through steering. From small general aviation aircraft to large commercial airliners, various nose wheel configurations may be used to achieve the capability of steering and each will present different components and actuating systems to ensure smooth operations. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the common nose wheel steering systems and actuator nose components that benefit various aircraft types.

A buzzer is a device that converts audio signals into sound signals. They are usually powered by DC voltage and are found in products such as alarms, computers, printers, and other electronics. Buzzers are mainly divided into two categories: piezoelectric and electromagnetic, represented in a circuit by H or HA respectively. Depending on different designs and uses, buzzers can emit a broad range of sounds including music, sirens, alarms, or electric bells. In this blog, we will take a look at buzzers and discuss their functions and characteristics.

Potentiometers and adjustable resistors are both electronic components that may be implemented within a system to govern current and allow for many electronics to function properly. While potentiometers and adjustable resistors have similar uses in manipulating voltage values, their methods of operation and applications often differ. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of the potentiometer and adjustable resistor, allowing you to understand their differences and how each is used within the realm of electronics.