ASAP Axis Blog

For those who are more unfamiliar with the inner workings of a vehicle engine, understanding the difference between the camshaft and crankshaft can be difficult at first. While close in name, the two devices play separate roles in the functionality of the engine itself. Additionally, both parts are very important for smooth operations, as the failure of one or the other will surely lead to a maintenance visit. As there is always a chance that equipment pieces may fail and require maintenance through continued use, having a basic understanding of the camshaft and crankshaft can be useful when procuring parts or choosing services.

A muffler is a device used to reduce the noise emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. Mufflers are installed within the exhaust system of an engine to reduce the loudness of sound pressure by the engine through the process of acoustic quieting, wherein vibrations are dampened to prevent them from creating significant noise. Mufflers are found in all automobiles, but did you know that they are also in some aircraft? While not common on older aircraft, many new, small, piston aircraft have mufflers. This blog will cover the use of mufflers in aircraft as well as new technologies being used to achieve the same thing.

Across all the possible hazards and dangers that an aircraft may face during operations, fires can prove to be one of the most dangerous. This is due to the presence of flammable fuels and electronics that are spread across the body of a typical aircraft, as well as the altitudes they operate at which makes the extinguishing of flames more difficult. As such, engineers have heavily researched, implemented, and improved upon various systems over the years that assist in protecting aircraft from the dangers posed by fires. Beginning with the detection of a fire to the extinguishing of flames, the robust fire-protection systems of aircraft function to ensure the safety of passengers and components throughout flight operations.

Aviation cameras are well suited to a wide range of flight applications including monitoring, surveillance, and recording. The most common applications include UAV piloting, flight guidance, taxi aid, cabin, cockpit, cockpit door, and cargo surveillance, in-flight entertainment cameras, wing tip cameras, and much more. Because aviation cameras are used in a broad array of harsh applications, they have to be up to the test. As such, they are manufactured with rugged designs according to stringent standards, ensuring their long term reliability. Industries where aviation cameras are used include commercial airlines, military imaging, aerial mapping guidance, and more.

While early aircraft were fairly simple in their design, there have since been numerous developments that have allowed pilots to truly harness the forces of aerodynamics in order to improve flight efficiency. Flight control surfaces are devices that allow for the pilot to govern the attitude of an aircraft, and they are commonly found on many fixed-wing aircraft. With flight control devices known as ailerons, the pilot is given control of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, allowing them to affect lift on each wing in order to roll. In this blog, we will discuss in detail what the aileron assembly does, as well as how pilots utilize it for flight.

          To provide power for the various aircraft electrical components that serve both operators and passengers, generators are needed for the production of electricity. As aircraft systems are engineered to operate at a specific range of voltage and the demand of electricity may vary, it is crucial that generators are controlled and regulated. With a generator control system, the output produced by generators can be governed in order to optimally power and protect all systems.

Springs are elastic components, storing mechanical energy through their operation. When a standard spring is either compressed or stretched, it begins to exert an opposing force that is nearly equivalent to its change in length. Depending on their shape, size, materials, and other factors, springs may benefit a variety of applications. Across the industries that springs serve, the aerospace industry in particular benefits greatly from their capabilities. Springs are implemented in a number of aerospace systems and components, including those such as drones, solar panels, valves, aircraft controls, throttles, satellites, and more.

Both aircraft spoilers and speed brakes are important for a safe, controlled landing of an aircraft. Often, these two parts may be confused for each other for their operation as they are both utilized during landing procedures, despite both having different functionalities. As both component types are important for safe handling of an aircraft, it is important to be aware of their distinct operations. In this blog, we will discuss what aircraft spoilers and speed brakes are, and how they help an aircraft safely land.   

Aircraft radio and communication systems may seem like part of the everyday normal in a pilot’s life, but if you take a few moments to reflect on what and how much they can be used for (eg. calling ground personnel for help) it's quite amazing to see how far the aviation world has come. Imagine a modern world where these communications systems did not exist. How can a pilot call for help when flying in foggy conditions? What can be done if there is no more room in the runway and you need to land fast? These are all scenarios in which an aircraft communication system comes in handy, as, prior to the invention of radio communication, a pilot would have to communicate with ground personnel (aka their friend on the ground) by waving their aircraft wing in a certain direction or by rapid tail deflection. In this article, we will look at the changing state of aircraft communication technology and how the parts meld into play.

Most people are familiar with a vehicle’s autopilot system, as it’s a system that most people can try out for themselves with their cars. In motor vehicles, the autopilot system is designed so that the car can proceed in driving and steering without the promptings of the driver. What some people might not be familiar with is that aircraft and even some boats also have this in place. The thought that something that travels so far up in the sky has an autopilot system may cause a double take for some people, but the aviation autopilot system is a safe system that pilots have been trained to utilize responsibly.