ASAP Axis Blog

As aircraft are equipped with such a wide array of different lights, it can quickly become difficult to understand which lights serve what purpose and when they should be used. Some of the lights found on aircraft include rotating beacons, anti-collision/strobe lights, position/navigation lights, landing/taxi lights, and logo lights. In this blog, we will discuss the times when pilots are required to use each of these types of lights. The requirements referenced in this blog are those listed by the United States Government’s Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

When dealing with fluid applications, leaking is something that always should be avoided for the safety of assemblies as well as the performance of the device itself. As gaskets and seals both provide the ability to prevent leaking, it can sometimes be difficult to discern which is the best fit for a particular application. While seals and gaskets both have similar functionalities, it is important to understand their differences to ensure that the right kind of component is chosen.

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.

When conducting flight operations, engine instruments provide critical information about the health and performance of the engine, ensuring its correct operation and longevity of service. With the data obtained through engine monitoring, logging may also be conducted to aid in maintenance endeavors, allowing those servicing the engine to be aware of various trends of the system’s well-being. Although each aircraft may differ in their available instruments, some common types include the pressure gauge, temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and more. To ensure a safe flight and long service life of the engine, it is important to understand the various aircraft engine instruments that are available, as well as the significance of each.

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.