In aviation facilities, where there are countless moving parts and many pieces of large machinery, the presence of hazards is inevitable. During aircraft maintenance, in particular, workers are regularly near large structures, sharp components, turbine blades, and more. Whether it is a hangar, ramp, or workshop, extra precaution must be taken in these workplaces. In this blog, we will discuss the five most common causes of aircraft maintenance workplace accidents and how to prevent them.

A hydraulic system uses pressurized fluid to drive machinery. A standard system consists of the hydraulic fluid and three mechanical components: the pressure generator, plumbing, and motor. The pressure generator is a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, engine, or manual pump. The plumbing refers to the valves, filters, and pipes, and the motor is either a hydraulic motor, hydraulic cylinder, or hydraulic actuator.

Whether an aircraft is a small business jet or a large civilian airliner, most modern aircraft have now implemented a variety of electronic systems in order to improve flight instruments, accommodate passenger needs, and power lights and other fixtures. As such, aerospace manufacturing companies implement generators or alternators for the production of power, ensuring that all aircraft electrical components function properly. While typical wall outlets provide an electronic frequency that ranges from 50-60 Hz for plugging in appliances, the aerospace standard remains much higher at 400 Hz for all aircraft. While this may seem like too high of a frequency for the powering of electronics, there are some major reasons why such an amount has become the widespread standard.

When you have sheet metal structures that are in need of repair, there are some important steps that you should make during inspection and maintenance. When fixing a piece that is broken or damaged, check with the producer’s SRM for the aircraft. When you do this, you mind finding a helpful illustration of the repairs needed, what steps to take, what parts you might need, etc. Any further information that is necessary to make a repair is also detailed. If the necessary information is not found in the SRM, it’s best to find counsel on similar pieces that need fixing, preferably from the same manufacturer as your metal sheet.

One of the most common types of engines used is the piston engine. They are among the most popular engines that are sought for cars and other vessels in the United States as well as in other countries. However there are variations in the types of engines that are used in the United States, as some vessels require a rotary engine. To those who are novices in this type of industry, a piston engine and a rotary engine may appear the same, but they are not. There are some distinct differences between them that you should be familiar with. In this article, we will go over some of the differences of the two.

Since the end of World War I, almost all aircraft have adopted braking systems that allow them to safely come to a stop on runways and surfaces. Typically, most modern aircraft utilize a disc brake assembly in which each of the main wheels is fitted with a brake unit. Depending on the size of the aircraft, various designed brake systems may be used, and common types include single, dual, and multiple disc brakes. In this blog, we will discuss what disc brakes are, as well as how they assist in stopping aircraft on the ground.

In any maintenance sector, whether it’s in the automotive industry or the aircraft industry, knowing how and what equipment to use for lubricating the tools you work with is an essential skill. It’s critical especially in the aviation sector to understand how to properly distribute and move your lubricants to where they need to be. By strictly abiding by safety protocols, you reduce risk of potential contamination and you keep your lubricants in places that are easy to find and simple to use. If you are interested in learning more about the types of lubricants that you can use as well as how to properly use them, you may find the article below helpful.   

The airspeed indicator (ASI) is an aircraft flight instrument in which the speed of the aircraft is measured and conveyed to the pilot in either km/h, kn, MPH, or m/s. Having accurate airspeed measurements is important for the safety of flight, as well as aids in conducting accurate navigation of the aircraft. In this blog, we will discuss what the airspeed indicator flight instrument is, as well as how it functions and provides accurate measurements.

The Horizontal Situation Indicator or HSI, one of the most important tools for any pilot, provides a basic horizontal view of an aircraft’s navigation picture. For example, in the F-15E Eagle fighter jet, the HSI can provide navigation data to selected ground navigation facilities like Instrument Landing Systems or onboard navigation systems such as the Inertial Navigation System. The HSI is a critical tool during instrument flying, wherein the pilot’s visibility is so poor that he or she must rely solely on their instruments. Because of this, the HSI has become more and more popular in general aviation over time.

The valves in an engine, known simply as engine valves, are designed to balance and control the flow of gasses that come into and out of the cylinders located in the engine. They are intended to regulate the gas levels during the combustion process of the engine. In basic terms, they serve to open and close a portal for air or gas coming in and out of the engine. Depending on the type of vessel the engine is working for, the engine may have one or more valves. Automobile engines, for instance, tend to have two engine valves that are placed for each cylinder. Aircraft engines also tend to have multivalve.