ASAP Sourcing Solutions Blog

With a power equivalent to that of a 28 Formula-1 racing car, the aircraft engine parts is a major powerhouse responsible for carrying an aircraft into flight. Engines designed for aircraft use- be they for commercial, jet, private or others- have made it possible for people to travel across thousands of miles in just under a day.

Within these technological miracles is a complex system of parts that require only the most knowledgeable and certified engineers and mechanics to tend to them. As complex as these mechanical giants can be, they remain a marvel to the average citizen. Below you can find some interesting facts about engines that you may not have known about.

Washers, an important part for weight distribution in many machines, are thin, disc-shaped plates with a hole in the center. Though they are commonly metal, washers come in a variety of materials and are used as spacers, springs, pre-loading screws, and vibration reducers. Washers come in three types: plain, spring, and lock. This blog will explore each type and provide insight to their characteristics and applications.

Like with other industries, there are some interesting secrets and tidbits of information in the aviation industry that only those working within the industry know about. In the same way that only Disneyland employees know how the magic happens, so too do flight attendants, pilots, and others who claim that territory have their own set of secrets that they keep. Read on below to get a glimpse into those secrets. 

As an aircraft with a basic engine rises in altitude, the amount of power that the engine can produce by itself decreases. Aircraft engine control power is created through the mixture or air and fuel, and the higher the altitude, the lower amount of oxygen is present in the air.

While making an engine bigger to pull in a greater mass of air may seem like a good solution, it will cause the aircraft to be much bulkier and heavier, and it does not efficiently tackle the core of the problem which is oxygen density. The solution to this problem came with the introduction of turbocharger.

Aircraft are, without question, very complicated pieces of machinery. The process of producing one can seem overwhelming and practically impossible. However, when you break it down to its basic steps, the production of an airplane is easy to understand. The three steps of aircraft production are design, construction, and assembly.

If you own a car and live in climates that go below freezing, then you’re more than likely aware of the burdens of de-icing your car. For those residing elsewhere, it's not something that you have to think about...unless of course you own and operate an aircraft.

If you are based in a place with temperatures like that of sunny California, owning an aircraft means you have to get familiar with the process of de-icing your aircraft and understand its important role in aircraft maintenance.

If you have ever sat on the window seat of a passenger flight, you may have noticed that there is a tiny hole in each window leading to the outside. As aircraft must remain at specific pressures for the safety of individuals, it may seem counterproductive to leave openings in the window structure. Despite the concerns that one may have, these tiny holes actually provide for safety, and they do not actually connect to the outside atmosphere.

Also referred to as a “bleed” or “breather hole”, those tiny holes at the bottom of the airplane windows parts actually have a purpose. Airplane windows are thicker and stronger than they may appear, and for a good reason.

In order to keep airplane cabins windows relatively comfortable, a pressurized atmosphere allows for proper breathing and comfortable temperature. What makes this possible while still being able to watch the skies around you is a three-layered window, made to equalize the low pressure outside and the high pressure inside.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all aircraft have ice built up on their wings and fuselages stripped off before takeoff. This is because ice, if not removed from the aircraft’s engine control surfaces, can negatively affect the handling characteristics of the aircraft and pose a safety hazard.
 
The best method for deicing an aircraft is simply to heat it up. Heated hangars can be kept at a temperature that melts ice, whereupon it can be wiped away with a towel. Afterwards, a thin coating of freezing point depressant (fluid) is applied to the aircraft’s wings to prevent ice from forming again during takeoff and flight. However, this space is often at a premium, and some smaller airports may not have any heated hangars available at all.

We know that an aircraft bearing component is quite important in aviation, but let’s take a look at another industry— wind energy. Wind turbine technology is on the rise as more U.S. companies look to invest in renewable energy.