Aircraft

Flying Model Simulator, or FMS, is a virtual environment that you can use to practice flying your radio controlled aircraft prior to flying your physical version of the aircraft. Though several types…

Maintaining aircraft is essential for the safety of those who travel the friendly skies. Aircraft maintainers play an essential role in servicing aircraft and keeping them safe for travel and…

Fly vibration-free by correcting aircraft propeller spinner wobble. An aircraft spinner is the cone at the front of the propeller that helps secure it into place. According to the FAA, the propeller…

The Beechcraft Musketeer is a low-wing stye personal aircraft. Like most aircraft, the Musketeer uses a set of six panel gauges, referred to as steam gauges or the instrument panel. These devices are…

Aircraft may be stranded at airfields or left at repair shops by owners who can't pay their bills. State personal property laws govern the disposition of abandoned aircraft. Authorities can declare an…

The Futuba S3102 servo is made for radio-controlled airplanes and cars. The S3102 is an analog-style servo. Servos attach into the remote-controlled vehicle's receiver box and work in conjunction with…

Aircraft canopies -- life-sized or models -- use clear acrylic for canopies molded using the same thermoforming technique. This method is sometimes referred to as vacuum forming, as it uses both heat…

A mechanical failure while an airplane is in flight can produce catastrophic damage and loss of life. Aircraft maintenance inspectors prevent these problems by ensuring that vehicles meets all…

The Stromberg aircraft high pressure carburetor was a high power part used by the U.S. military starting in World War II. It serves high performance engines by delivering extremely accurate fuel…

Aircraft cable is a type of galvanized wire rope. It is used to secure heavy objects or support an object hanging off of the ground. When a remodel is planned for your home, you can use the aircraft…

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight includes the Wright Flyer, Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis," Lockheed Vega and the DC-3. The Flight Simulator franchise encourages its…

Microsoft Flight Simulator, or MSFS, is among PC gaming's most venerable and popular applications. The first version of MSFS was released in 1976 and now boasts nine sequels, culminating with 2006's…

Repairing aircraft carburetors generally involves cleaning them out and replacing their various jet parts and gaskets. This tends to be the easiest method by which to solve carburetor mechanism…

Aircraft hoses are used internally as a way to allow fluids to flow through the machine, as well as to help connect stationary parts with moving parts. Aircraft hoses also tend to wear out with some…

Aircraft undergo a host of maintenance and inspection procedures after every flight to ensure that the next flight will be safe. One of the periodic inspections conducted is on the wiring running…

The KC-135 Stratotanker is an Air Force aerial-refueling plane that first saw service in 1957. Boeing continued to make this four-engine jet until 1965. The KC-135 is a military version of the Boeing…

The Mattel Matchbox Sky Busters Aircraft Carrier Playset is a military model that has a control tower, a missile launcher and moving elevators. This Matchbox aircraft carrier replica also has a…

Aircraft brokers act as liaisons between their clients who wish to sell an airplane and prospective purchasers. Typically, brokers have past experience as airplane mechanics, engineers or aviation…

Identifying planes by their silhouette, known as "aircraft spotting," was a skill taught to people in Europe during World War II to identify possible enemy aircraft. Today, you can still study the…

Instrumentation in the cockpit is a pilot's eyes and ears to the condition of his equipment and his surroundings. While the FAA mandates some of the instrumentation required in an small plane's…

Microsoft's "Flight Simulator" series of games stores information about an aircraft's behavior and capabilities in a file called "aircraft.cfg." This file is structured like a typical ".ini" file,…

PlayStation Home, the PS3's 3D social gaming community, features different personal spaces players can download and interact with using their avatars. In February 2009, the Warhawk Command Center went…

Australia's flag-carrier airline Qantas has evolved from a one-aircraft operation founded in 1920 as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services to being the world's oldest air carrier to…

Fuel is a necessary component for any vehicle's movement, including airplanes. However, airplanes have the unique challenge of holding large fuel amounts while still remaining light during air travel.…

Tying down your aircraft properly can mean the difference between enjoying flight time or having to pay potentially expensive repair bills after you find your aircraft blown upside down or into nearby…

Internal gyroscopes are a component used for a vast array of instruments and electronic devices. They are even used in vehicles like motorcycles and Segways. The basic gyroscope involves one wheel…

The term hovercraft is credited to the British inventor Christopher Cockerell, who developed the first practical versions of the vehicle in the 1950s. The hovercraft operates on the principle that a…

Hovercraft are a type of ground vehicle that are suspended above the ground by a cushion of air. These vehicles are commonly used to travel through swamps, wetlands and other ecologically sensitive…

Flights are carefully calculated journeys involving a number of participants such as the pilots and air traffic control. Flights are broken up into stages to allow easier management of the flight. The…

Boeing has had a long and successful history of aircraft design and production. Originally begun as the Pacific Aero Products Company, Boeing Airplane Company was formed in 1917. As the company nears…

Ultralight aircraft fly "under the radar" so to speak on many of the FAA regulations. One area they are not excused from are the necessary airspeed indicators and ratings. This is so the…

A propeller is a type of fan that rotates against air or water to transmit power. This rotational power creates thrust, causing the vessel to move forward. Propellers are used to propel vessels such…

Modern aircraft electrical systems are extremely complex, and include many feet of electrical cables and hardware. Cables are used for many important applications, such as providing power to the…

The Airborne Communications Addressing and Reporting System is the gatelink system, which allows passengers to call home from an airplane in flight. Gatelink was an aircraft initiative during the…

Aircraft strobe lights help other pilots see your aircraft during daytime and nighttime flying hours. This helps you avoid both on-ground and mid-air collisions. Strobe lights are white in color, and…

Aircraft propellers take the power created by an engine and convert it into thrust. This thrust controls how quickly the plane moves through the air and helps it not only get off of the ground, but…

Any good pilot knows the importance of "pre-flighting" the aircraft before any mission or flight. Each aircraft has unique pieces to check, but they all follow the same basic formula. Among the…

The Piper Archer is a four-seat, single-engine aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft Inc. The pilot and passengers access the plane's cabin through a single door on the aircraft's right side. This…

Turbofan or jet engines can fail completely when a fan blade within the engine is damaged and becomes broken. A damaged blade can result in damage to the fan casing and imbalance the engine.

Aircraft seats, especially on small aircraft, are not dissimilar to automobile seats. In order to be light in weight, aircraft seats are often less complex than automobile seats, and are thus easier…

Pilots and navigators operating aircraft within United States airspace are given information on any no-fly zones they may encounter along their route. These areas are to be avoided at risk of legal…

Small aircraft use a system of instruments known as the gauges or panel. Prior to each flight, you must walk around the aircraft doing the pre-flight check. This includes checking the airframe,…

Teledyne Continental Motors manufactures piston-powered engines for small, non-military aircraft. Three of the most commonly-produced engines are the O-200 (100 horsepower (hp)), the O-300 (145 HP)…

Cathay Pacific is a large international airline that specializes in travel between North America and Asia. It allows customers to change a flight, but the procedures that must be followed vary greatly…

Airtex is a brand name used by three different companies in the United States. The first is a supplier of fuel pumps and engine management products. The second is a manufacturer of pillow forms and…

In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration released a set of standards for a new class of certification. Student pilots would be allowed to obtain certification to fly light-sport aircraft.…

Circuit breakers are safety devices installed in airplane and other types of electrical systems to prevent hazardous shocks and fires. The breaker works by detecting an overload of electrical current…

The Continental IO-360 series of engines has eight models in it: C, CB, D, DB, G, GB, H and HB. Teledyne Continental Motors manufactures the series, as well as other engines and components used in…

Blind rivets attach materials in places with limited access that makes other fasteners impractical. Blind rivets don't provide the same structural integrity of solid rivets but are perfectly usable in…

Countersunk rivets are used in a variety of applications. The rivets are designed to sit flush with the outer layer of material they secure. The rivets are already countersunk, usually at a 100-degree…

Hail damage on a small personal aircraft may be anything from insignificant dings to total destruction. Evaluating damage you may have sustained during a hailstorm helps you determine if the plane is…

Aircraft use hydraulic fluids under pressure to create a force that powers components of the aircraft. Hydraulic systems are mainly utilized in aircraft because of their desirable features such as…

Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) is a business unit of the Boeing Company and is based in Washington state. It has manufactured the 747 airplane model since the mid-1960's, including the 200 series.

Aircraft Engines are made from a number of different materials. A jet engine has several components, each of which needs to operate under different conditions. Overall the engine must be as light as…

An aircraft propeller is a device that moves air in one direction in order to propel the plane in the opposite direction. As the air is accelerated faster behind the propeller blade, it thrusts the…

Floor mats provide a way of keeping grit, grime and sediment from accumulating on the floors of vehicles. Floor mats are used in small aircraft to prevent such unwanted grit from damaging the bottom…

Airplanes all have the same basic composition and parts, though some planes are more complex than others. A modern airplane is the culmination of a century of aerospace science and engineering and…

Recurrent flight training is often required for pilots and, if not, is usually a good idea to ensure that the pilot is flying as safely as possible. Recurrent instrument training is particularly…

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all airplanes and other aircraft must be equipped with a transponder. A transponder is a radar beacon system that allows air traffic…

Lycoming aircraft has been in business since 1929. The company's specialty is building different engines to match the diverse applications that aircraft engines need to fulfill. Lycoming engines are…

Aircraft carriers provide versatile air power for armed forces. They are typically used to support overseas combat, providing air support in the form of both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Highly…

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are used to obtain information about an object or person using information transmitted by radio waves, according to "RFID Journal." Examples of RFID…

According to the official website of the United States Navy, "In over 80 percent of the times when the World was faced with international violence, the United States has responded with one or more…

The pitot-static system on a small aircraft calculates air speed and velocity. This is done through the aircraft's pitot tube--a small narrow tube found under the wing. The pitot tube is set on the…

The AL-60 was an all metal light utility aircraft designed in the late 1950s by the Lockheed company. The plane was not intended for sale on the American markets so the company established a Mexican…

An aircraft landing can create a substantial impact at the landing gear. This impact is absorbed by the aircraft struts. Struts are partially filled with hydraulic fluid and then serviced with…

The Piper Cub Cadet is a popular bush aircraft known as a "taildragger." This means the aircraft has a wheel on the back end used in landing and takeoffs. The Cadet houses fuel in the wings. Should…

Standard maintenance procedures often require disconnecting an aircraft's battery before beginning work. This practice is nearly universal for reasons of safety to avoid unintentional operation of…

Aircraft bolts can secure critical parts and components in locations that may be subject to extreme stress and high vibrations. This is why it is so important to follow the specified torque values for…

The Airbus A380 was designed to be a direct competitor to Boeing's 747 and 777 aircraft. The Airbus A380 boasts a lower fuel per mile cost than any of its comparable aircraft. As of November 2010, 37…

In physics, translational motion is movement that changes the position of an object, as opposed to rotational motion which refers to movement around a fixed axis. This range of movement is known as…

An aircraft piston engine contains cylinders that contain moving plugs, or pistons. The plug in the cylinder is attached to a rod, or crankshaft, which rotates from the movement of the plugs. This…

The Cessna 206 was introduced in 1964 as part of a family of single engine, fixed landing gear, general aircraft. It was produced through 1986, out of production for 12 years and brought back on line…

Ground effect vehicles (GEV), or wing-in-ground (WIG) vehicles, are hybrids between marine vessels and aircraft and are able to fly just above the surface of the earth or sea. This is possible due to…

Leasing an aircraft, rather than buying one, is a more viable option for most companies, especially those that need it for transportation rather than as an asset for the firm. It's important for…

Behind the brightly-colored liveries that differentiate each airline, there is a financial surprise: As of 2010, nearly half of all commercial aircraft in service are not owned by the airlines.…

For more than a century, airplanes have been a fixture of the modern world, from the Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903 to modern jumbo jets. Planes make it possible to travel quickly between…

The fact that aircraft landing gear is termed landing gear and not take-off gear implies that the most critical part of their design concerns landings. Landing is the phase of flight that dishes out…

When an aircraft engine is first started and is still cool, an intermittent hesitation or miss in the engine speed could point to a sticking valve. This is why valve sticking is commonly referred to…

There are certain responsibilities that come with maintaining a personal aircraft. Painting its aluminum body regularly prevents corrosion, enhancing the life of the aircraft. This requires using…

Any airframe mechanic must be a proficient riveter. Aluminum rivets are the most common fastener used in modern aircraft structural applications. Proper rivet installation takes practice but also…

Modern aircraft contain some of the most complicated and extensive electrical systems in the world. And though devices, gauges and sensors may get all the electrical glory, wiring works behind the…

An aircraft is typically leased to avoid the expense of purchasing and maintaining one but when the aircraft is required for a longer period than would be practical with a charter. Leasing provides a…

Airlines across the globe fly thousands of commercial aircraft daily. The millions of passengers who take to the air each year experience a variety of aircraft types from manufacturers such as Boeing…

Production and maintenance of transportation vehicles is critical, especially with airplanes. Mechanics have an enormous responsibility keeping planes operating safely and efficiently. They rely on…

The history of an aircraft's maintenance and damage can significantly affect its valuation. But aircraft damage history can be difficult to determine unless accurate aircraft logbooks are available.…

Hot brakes on an aircraft is a condition requiring crew awareness and action. While hot brakes are more likely to occur on large jet transport aircraft due to aircraft weight and speed, they can occur…

The airspeed indicator uses the pitot tube. It typically hangs below a wing or against the fuselage of the aircraft. The wings of the aircraft are the primary structures that provide lift, allowing…

When you book a plane ticket, you're purchasing the ability to fly to your destination. But a service that's included with your ticket, not many get to witness or experience. Flight attendants are…

Maintaining proper cable tension on your aircraft's control cable is vital for flight safety. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Safety Letter A09-30-37, dated April 14, 2009, addresses a…

Cathay Pacific is an airline based in Hong Kong. According to the airline's website, Cathay Pacific employs more than 20,000 people and flies to more than 100 cities worldwide. The airline has a fleet…

An attitude indicator, also known as a gyro horizon or an artificial horizon, is a device used in aircraft to display the orientation of the aircraft with relation go the ground.

Walnut shells have been chosen for the cleaning of valuable turbojet engines because of unique compounds that give them the durability to stand up to the elements of a turbine engine while providing…

Many aircraft have systems within them that are actuated by a cable and pulley system. These systems can control flight controls, engine operations, and auxiliary support systems. Some of these…

Corrosion of any part of an aircraft reduces its value, its appearance--and most important--its safety. The corrosion can lead to the failure of essential parts while flying and even lead to complete…

Proper record keeping of aeronautical experience is crucial for aviation professionals. Incorrect pilot logbook entries can result in tedious paperwork, loss of a job opportunity, or possibly…

If you park your aircraft outside rather than in a hangar, the plane must be secured so that wind and weather do not shift its position. Aircraft wheel chocks and tie downs are the easiest and…

Ever since the ditching of U.S. Air Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in 2009, questions have been raised about the use of screens over jet engines to help protect them from bird ingestions. While the…

The typical aircraft structure is divided into many parts connected with various fastening methods. Rivets are a common method to fasten the skin of the aircraft to the frame and to attach many of the…

Aircraft have many electrical circuits that supply power to various systems. Systems using the power include instruments, landing gear motors and lighting. Each of these electrical circuits must be…

Most aircraft are designed with similar instrument panels to provide consistency for pilots switching from different aircraft. The instruments are classified by their functions, which include flight,…

Dismantling an aircraft exposes a person to potentially hazardous conditions, depending on the chemicals, petroleum products, tools and heavy machinery that are present. Anyone attempting to perform…

The proper inspection and maintenance of aircraft is essential to the safety of any flight. Auditing the aircraft maintenance program is a great tool to use to ensure all aircraft systems have been…

When leasing an aircraft from another entity, the one leasing the aircraft is the lessee. The entity providing the aircraft for lease is the lessor. Historically, leasing contracts can become quite…

The A300 is an aircraft that was produced between 1972 and 2007 by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. It is a medium-range, twin-engine, widebody jet that was produced in several different…

The modern airplane is a complex machine with various systems working together to make controlled flight possible. Still, planes of today share certain basic characteristics with the early aircraft…

Because standard gasoline has a low flashpoint, it is ignited fairly easily. For safety reasons, aircraft engines are designed to run on a fuel with a higher flashpoint. Modern jet aircraft use a…

The Mooney aircraft company was started by Al Mooney in 1929. Al Mooney was doodling with airplane designs since he was in grade school. By the time he was in high school, Mooney was reading anything…

Aircraft can be rented from numerous airports at the general aviation terminal or from private flight clubs. Flying is much safer and expeditious for distances of 300 nm or more. The general aviation…

The FAA, or Federal Aviation Administration, classified a new segment of planes called VLJ (very light jets) in 2006. These small jets seat from two to nine passengers and have a short range in…

With regulations constantly changing as threat levels rise and fall, you have to keep up with the rules on what you can and can't take onto an airplane. Don't get caught by surprise at the security…

With a pilot's license, you're not at the mercy of the major airlines' timetables; you can rent yourself a plane at many airports across the country. Even if you don't have a license, fleet operators…