The gas turbine engine, also known as a combustion turbine engine, is a type of internal combustion engine that utilizes the ignition of a fuel and air mixture to produce thrust and propulsion for an aircraft to sustain flight. There are various types of the aircraft turbine engine, and these include the turbojet, turboprop, turboshaft, and turbofan engine. Although each may differ in areas such as their compressor parts, as well as each provide various advantages and disadvantages, there are some common components that can be found across all types of the gas turbine engine. These include the air inlet, compressor parts, combustion chamber, turbine section, and exhaust parts. Read more >>

U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft supercarriers are comprised of over one billion individual parts and components. Despite this, when you break them down into their base functions, they are pretty easy to understand. They are tasked with four main functions: to transport aircraft overseas, launch and land aircraft, serve as a mobile command center for military operation, and house all the men and women stationed on the carrier. To carry out these tasks, each part of the carrier has an important job. Read more >>

Turbine engines were a huge advancement in aviation, allowing for unprecedented flight capabilities. Generally speaking, turbine engines are classified based on whether the compressor is centrifugal flow, axial flow, or a combination of the two. Further distinctions are made based on the path the air takes through the engine and how power is produced. Turbine engines come in four basic types: turbojet, turboprop, turbofan, and turboshaft. Read more >>

At the very first glance, the cockpit of an aircraft may seem like complex or daunting technology. While an intricate system to control the aircraft’s rotation, center of gravity, and direction is certainly necessary, the system, when learned and written into muscle memory, is certainly manageable for pilots. The cockpit of each aircraft is made similarly enough so that when a pilot enters the cockpit of a new aircraft, they can recognize the basic and most important components.  Read more >>

If you are intending to purchase a new aircraft, then it’s important that you know the parts essentials of maintaining it. One piece necessary for maintaining the part is multi-link towbar heads. A versatile tool, the Multi-link aircraft towbar is a device that is used to pull up the front landing gear on a small aircraft. Read more >>

Aircraft landing gear is a hugely important component of any aircraft. Aside from landing, it is also necessary for taxiing and take off. The three main functioning components of aircraft landing gear are the shock-absorber cylinders, shock-absorber pistons, and tires. Unsurprisingly, the shock-absorbers undergo extreme stress as the aircraft touches down, but it’s not always clear how much. Determining the wear on your landing gear is important, as it will inform you when it’s time to repair or replace it. Read more >>

In a piece of machinery as complicated as a modern aircraft, each individual part has an important role to play. That said, there are still certain parts of aircraft that most people would agree are more critical than others. Here are the five key components of an aircraft. Read more >>

Printed Circuit Board or PCB connectors are links between components on a conductive path or between pads on the board itself. Certain devices feature more than one PCB and will utilise a variety of equipment to create a connection between the circuit boards. PCB connectors are mounted on the PCB itself and are typically used to transfer signals from one circuit board to another. Because PCBs are not hard-wired to one another and can be assembled later in the production process, these connectors are easy to design and manufacture. Different PCBs have different responsibilities. Because of this, the connector’s ultimate application will determine the SWaP (size, weight, and power) properties used in the PCB design. For example, the connector in your smartphone is much smaller and lighter than the connector in your car. Read more >>

Aircraft maintenance checks refer to the periodic inspections that every commercial and civil aircraft must go through after a certain number of flying hours or time of use. Military aircraft may or may not have the same types of checks as commercial, but they must have their own maintenance programs as well. The aviation industry is extremely regulated, and commercial operators must comply with the inspection programs of authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration, Transport Canada, and the European Aviation Safety Agency. Read more >>

Spacecraft and airplanes are intricate machines that are designed and built to precise specifications, including which alloying element works best for individual components. Aluminum, copper, and nickel are most commonly used because of their ability to resist wear and tear, their heat resistance,  and their magnetic properties. New applications have been found to utilize these metals and vastly improve existing designs. Read more >>