The switch from gas to electric engines is currently facing a very upward trend with research and popularity. With electric cars slowly making their way into the forefront of the market, people are looking to other industries to follow suit. Electrification can lead to cleaner environments and reduce pollution. Within the realm of aerospace, fuel efficiency and reduction of emissions through technology and improvements has almost peaked, and electrification seems to be a possible future for aircraft to solve these problems. In this article, we will discuss the possible future of aerospace electrification, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
Composite materials are a commonly-used resource in the aviation industry, and for good reason; their unique properties let engineers overcome design obstacles that would be otherwise impossible to solve. Common composite materials include fiberglass, carbon fiber, and fiber-reinforced matrix systems. Fiberglass is the most common, and was first widely used in boats and automobiles in the 1950’s, the same decade Boeing introduced the material in its passenger jets. Today, aircraft structures are often made up of 50 to 70 percent composite materials. While composite materials have many advantages, there are also some downsides that some fear pose safety risks in the field of aviation. In this blog, we will break down the greatest pros and cons for composite materials in aviation.
Internal combustions like those found on propeller-driven aircraft need a consistent and reliable source of ignition for their engines. Aircraft Magnetos are the most popular choice for fulfilling this need, and consists of a self-contained electrical generator that uses magnets to produce a high voltage current that fires the engine’s spark plugs, which in turn provide the ignition needed for the engine to function. Magnetos boast a simple design, which makes them compact and reliable, and they require no external electrical source. This is a critical component of their design, as they allow the ignition system to keep running independently of the electrical system, which protects them from an alternator or battery malfunction.
Maintaining an aircraft is far more than washing the exterior and cleaning up the interior of the cabin. The maintenance cycle can be defined by various levels, each named with an alphabetical letter in progressing levels of complexity. Check A is the most routine, taking no more than an hour or two. Check C on the other hand, is a far more extensive checking of independent aircraft components, functions, tooling, and equipment.
When buying electronic parts, there are many factors to consider. It’s important to be able to find the aviation components you need without unnecessarily overpaying, and to be sure you are purchasing the right product.
The first step is to search the market for pricing, availability, and lead times if the product is out of stock. The most efficient way to do this is to use aggregator websites. Here, potential customers can see distributors’ listings and compare prices and availability all on the same site. It’s much more efficient to use these types of sites rather than Google, because you can find many electronic parts distributors who stock the part without going back and forth between the multiple sites Google generates. Not to mention, Google search results are not always reflective of popularity or relevance thanks to features such as Google Ads.
The most important part of an aircraft engine, arguably, is the lubrication system. But it’s also the most vulnerable. Generally, lubrication systems are recirculatory. Fresh oil is introduced to the lubrication system and met with bearings, seals, and gears that wear and erode, producing abrasive contaminants. The oil flushes them away and carries them to the scavenge oil flow away from the sump where they are almost completely filtered out.
UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS), operating under United Technologies, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of aerospace and defense products. UTC develops, manufactures and delivers parts to some of the biggest names in the aerospace industry. As a premier Boeing parts supplier and Airbus parts supplier, UTC has been hit hard with increases in production rates demanded by these OEMs.
UTC’s CEO, Greg Hayes, said during the company’s first-quarter 2018 earnings call,
When flying in an aircraft, there are many safety factors to consider. For the passenger, it is unsettling when they begin to feel turbulence and experience a rocky ride. For the most part, turbulence is not necessarily dangerous. However, there are moments when there can become dangers and threats to the safety of an airplane. One factor is the chances of lightning striking an aircraft. To many people’s shock, aircrafts are actually very likely to be struck by lightning during their flight. Some reports state that active aircrafts will be struck at least once a year around the world. However, we rarely hear of such stories and their impacts on aircrafts.