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Bearings are useful devices for “bearing” the force of a load while facilitating rotation between two or more components. One common type of bearing is the thrust bearing which can support a force exerted in the same direction as the shaft(s) it is connected to. As with any other piece of equipment, certain measures can be taken to prevent damage or failure from wear. In this blog, we will discuss several different types of thrust bearings as well as ways to prevent common types of bearing failure.

If you have ever wondered where fuel is stored in an aircraft, you may be surprised to find out that it is stored in the wings. Wet wings, as they are often called, are a popular storage strategy due to their economic efficiency. However, this is not the case for all aircraft. In fact, some planes, like military aircraft, store fuel in tanks in the aircraft itself. To better understand why fuel is stored in the wings, we will outline the various reasons such storage options are optimal for flight. Then, this blog will cover other common fuel storage options.

An aircraft’s nose, officially known as a radome, is a spherical plastic cap that acts as a weatherproof covering for essential equipment like a radar antenna. Often called a dish antenna, a radar antenna is a sensitive plate used to transmit and receive radio signals during flight. To ensure such equipment is protected from any potential interference, an aircraft’s nose is manufactured from materials like fiberglass, quartz, honeycomb structures, and various chemical resins that block unwanted weather phenomena, but allow electromagnetic signals to pass through.

An engine can easily be considered one of the most important elements of any fuel powered vehicle, creating the power necessary to drive systems and create movement. Depending on the type of engine that one uses, there are various parts and components that work together to establish functionality. For a reciprocating engine such as those found on light, piston-powered aircraft, the crankshaft and piston are two essential parts that must be present for combustion and power generation to be possible. In this blog, we will discuss the crankshaft and piston of reciprocating engines in more detail, allowing you to better understand their role and importance.

While the flat wing aircraft design is quite popular, not all models follow the same configuration. Many aircraft feature wings with ends that curve upwards, especially those that are designed for commercial operations. Known as winglets, the curved design of many wings is very beneficial for a number of aircraft. In this blog, we will discuss the purpose of winglets, allowing you to better understand the advantages of such curved structures.

The axles of automobiles are paramount to their standard operations, serving as the shafts that the rotating wheels attach to. While one end of an axle shaft is connected to the vehicle’s differential through a sun gear, the other is attached to the wheel itself. In most instances, the axles are affixed to the wheels and rotate around them, though some assemblies will have the wheels rotate on the axles through the use of bearings. In this blog, we will discuss the most common types of axle shafts found on automobiles, allowing you to understand their design and functionality.

Welding has been used in industrial applications since the late 1800s to combine two pieces of metal. This versatile technique is used daily in a number of industries, including construction, shipbuilding, field repair, structural welding, and more. In the welding world, there are several welding techniques that produce similar results, and they are typically selected based on the application and unique working environment. One such technique is  gas welding, which is quickly becoming one of the most popular modalities found in workshops worldwide. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about this welding technology, various components and gasses used.

At the high altitudes where turbine-powered aircraft typically fly, atmospheric conditions are often poor as the temperature of air is very low. In such conditions, fluids such as water can easily freeze, having the potential of causing various issues for performance and safety. One of the most dangerous types of moisture freezing is when the water within fuel condenses and changes into a solid. When this occurs, ice formations will create obstructions within the fuel tank, fuel filter, and other components, hindering the overall fuel consumption process. As the blockage of fuel is something that any pilot would want to avoid during flight, fuel heaters are extremely important. In this blog, we will discuss the most common ways in which aircraft fuel is kept warm, allowing you to best protect your aircraft during flight operations.

The pitot-static system is a network of pressure-sensitive pipes, sensors, and instruments used to determine an aircraft’s airspeed, altitude, and more. These measurements are displayed on an instrument panel for the pilot to analyze and interpret. Such data is paramount for standard aircraft operations, allowing pilots to safely conduct an aircraft. The system consists of a pitot tube that is typically mounted on the wing of the aircraft. A small hole on the tube allows ram air pressure to enter. There are also two static ports attached to the airplane’s fuselage that are designed to measure ambient air pressure. Other instruments include air data computers, flight data recorders, and cabin pressurization controllers.

Aircraft face a number of challenges, ranging from operating at very high speeds to withstanding stark differences in pressure and temperature. With this in mind, the structure of an aircraft is designed to ensure not only the safety of its passengers, but it's aircrew under these varying conditions. Thus, all components of an aircraft undergo strict testing, including aircraft fuselages, engines, seats, circuit breakers, and even the windshields. In this blog, we will discuss flight deck windshields in an aircraft, their importance, and features.