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The turbine engine lubrication system plays a critical role in the performance of any aircraft engine. While these systems vary depending on things like engine model, aircraft type, and manufacturer, there are 6 components present in virtually all engine lubrication systems: the oil tank, oil pump, turbine oil filters, oil pressure regulator valve, oil pressure relief valve, and oil jets. This blog will explain each component and their role within the system as a whole.
Learn MoreWithin the many electrical systems that we rely on every day, circuit breakers and electrical fuses protect connected electrical equipment and parts from damage. Electricity can be extremely volatile, and faults such as short circuits and overloads can easily damage sensitive components if left uncontrolled. Because of this, having circuit breakers and fuses is extremely important for safety. In this blog, we will discuss how circuit breakers and fuses operate, as well as the common reasons that cause them to trip and blow.
Learn MoreWith very advanced technology, even harsh weather and lightning does little to put a modern aircraft in harm’s way. As most storms occur at atmospheres lower than what aircraft operate in, there is not too much impeding an aircraft’s set schedule and flight plan. Nevertheless, as aircraft may have times in which they must fly through rainy weather, it is critical that they have windshield wipers or other rain removal systems that keep the windshield clear for the safety of flight. In this blog, we will provide a short overview of the various rain removal systems utilized for aircraft.
Learn MoreWith the advancement of technologies that are featured on modern aircraft, a plethora of antennas are now a commonplace sight all over the body of a plane. While they may look like lightning rods, they are actually a variety of aircraft antennas that serve various functions, ranging from communications to radar. Depending on their application, antennas may be spread out across the top and bottom of the fuselage and nacelle, as well as other areas. In this blog, we will provide a basic overview of some of the standard antennas featured on aircraft.
Learn MoreEvery so often, you’ll read about a dramatic story of someone being struck by lightning. And while the story might certainly have been dramatized, the actual chances of anyone getting struck by lightning are extremely low. The odds of being struck in your lifetime is 1 in 3,000. You might be surprised to hear that lightning has struck aircraft slightly more frequently than it has people. It is estimated that on average, each airplane in the U.S. commercial fleet is struck lightly by lightning more than once each year. The difference here is that modern aircraft have been designed to take such lightning hits without having its flight influenced. Read on below for details of what actually happens when lightning strikes a plane.
Learn MoreDuring flight, lightning strikes on aircraft is a daily occurrence around the world. This is most often caused by aircraft flying through a static charged cloud. Despite fears, there is often little to no damage caused by strikes, and aircraft are thoroughly inspected after the flight. With the many important components and combustible fuel that is present, aircraft are expertly engineered to provide the utmost protection against electric charges. In this article, we will give a short overview of how aircraft are protected against lighting.
Learn MoreTo be eligible to fly at night using Visual Flight Rules (VFR), pilots must be able to meet various requirements as dictated by the Federal Aviation Regulations.
Learn MoreIf you’ve ever been inside the cockpit of an aircraft, you’ve seen that there are many different aircraft instruments, controls and dials available at the helm, which, to the average person, might seem a tad overwhelming to understand. Thankfully, any pilot sitting in the cockpit has undergone years of training with many flight hours under their belt. Their training has prepared them enough so that they are not only able to understand what the controls can do, but also enough to respond quickly to them. While it can take many months to truly grasp everything there is to know about the controls, you can still understand the basic concept behind the controls. Below is a brief outline of the six most important flight instruments.
Learn MoreRemoving an aircraft’s engine can be one of the most difficult and complicated procedures in aircraft maintenance. Given the enormous variety in aircraft and engine designs, there is no single list of instructions that can be provided as a guideline, as every airframe and every engine layout will inevitably have a different checklist that must be followed. There are, however, universal requirements that every engine will have that must be fulfilled, such as disconnecting and reconnecting the electrical, hydraulic, and fuel supply lines, the intake and exhaust path components, the engine controls, and the engine mounting connections to the airframe. One should always refer to the engine manufacturer’s instructions when performing any type of engine removal or installation.
Learn MoreIn electronics and electrical engineering, fuses are electrical safety devices that are designed to provide overcurrent protection of an electrical circuit. The most essential component is a metal strip or wire that melts when too much current flows through it, and therefore interrupts the current. Fuses are sacrificial devices, meaning that once a fuse has operated, it must be replaced or rewired.
Learn MoreThe electrical systems within an aircraft are extensive. Steps need to be taken to ensure that the system doesn’t overload causing a power outage on an aircraft. Resistors are electrical components that oppose the flow of electrical current. They are by nature, passive components that only reduce voltage rather than increase them. Wirewound resistors are cylindrical components with resistive wire wrapped around them. The rod is typically made of ceramic or fiberglass and the wire is usually made out of an alloy such as nichrome. An exterior casing insulates the wirewound resistors to help block any heat coming from the circuit interruption.
Learn MorePowerful ignition systems are integral to the functioning and efficiency of modern aircraft. Gas turbine engines like those seen on the General Electric CF6, depend on capacitor-type ignition systems for combustion. These systems are powered by a low-voltage DC power supply and utilize the same igniter parts to power the engine’s combustion process.
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