Aerospace Engineering

Do you know what a heavy jet is? There are different ways to classify airplanes. Commercial airliners, for instance, are often classified according to the number of aisles they have. Narrow-body airliners have a single aisle of seats, whereas wide-body … Continue reading →

Ever wonder how high turboprop airplanes fly? Commercial airliners have an average cruising altitude of 32,000 to 42,000 feet, meaning they fly about six or seven miles above sea or ground level. Commercial airliners, however, are typically powered by jet … Continue reading →

The turbofan has become the most common type of jet engine used in airplanes. Whether it’s a civilian, commercial or military jet, it may feature one or more turbofans. Also known as a fanjet, a turbofan is a type of … Continue reading →

There’s been a growing trend in the aerospace manufacturing industry towards the use of composite materials. According to Statista, composite materials or “composites” account for 52% of the global aerospace manufacturing market as of 2014, making it the most common … Continue reading →

Have you heard of ultralight aircraft? Also known as microlight and light-sport aircraft, depending on the country, it encompasses small and lightweight airborne vehicles. When most people think of aircraft, they envision jumbo-sized commercial airliners. While large airliners like the … Continue reading →

One of the first steps to becoming a pilot is obtaining a license. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires all pilots to maintain a license. There are different classes of pilot licenses, however, one of the most common being … Continue reading →

The wings on a typical airplane aren’t completely flat or fixed. Rather, they typically feature flaps. Some airplanes have ailerons or spoilers on their wings, for instance, whereas others have droop flaps on their wings. What are droop flaps exactly, … Continue reading →

When most people think of aircraft engines, they envision the turbofan. The turbofan is a type of jet engine that uses a gas turbine to power a ducted pan. It burns a mixture of jet fuel and air. Exhaust gases … Continue reading →

You can’t believe everything you read and hear about tail fins. Tail fins, of course, are part of aircraft tail assemblies. Most airplanes have a single tail fin on their tail assembly or empennage. Unfortunately, tail fins are shrouded in … Continue reading →