6 Facts About LED Lighting

Lighting is an essential component of all airplanes. From cabin and cockpit lights to navigation lights, taxi lights and even headlights, they play a key role in visibility. Rather than only using incandescent lights, however, many airplanes now use light-emitting … Continue reading

What Is a Rivet Compression Tool?

If you’re planning to use solid rivets, you may want to invest in a rivet compression tool. Solid rivets, of course, are mechanical fasteners consisting of a smooth cylindrical shank and a round head. They are commonly used in applications … Continue reading

The Pros and Cons of Solid Rivets

Solid rivets are one of the most common types of mechanical fasteners used in the aerospace manufacturing industry. Like all rivets, they are designed to resist external forces, such as vibrations. Solid rivets, however, feature a solid construction that distinguishes … Continue reading

The Beginner’s Guide to Cupped Washers

When shopping for washers, you may come across cupped washers. They are commonly used to distribute the load of threaded fasteners. Rather than only using a nut and bolt to secure two parts, for instance, you can use a cupped … Continue reading

What Are High-Pressure Shock Strut Valves?

High-pressure shock strut valves play an important role in many aircraft landing gear systems. Like with other valves, they are designed to control the flow of substances. While other valves control fluids, though, high-pressure shock strut valves control gas or … Continue reading

7 Myths About Rivets Debunked

Rivets play an important role in the aerospace industry. From the Airbus A380 to the Cessna 172, they are found in nearly all airplanes. Rivets are fasteners that, like nuts and bolts, are used to join parts. While nuts and … Continue reading

What Is a Tapered Drill Bit?

When shopping for drill bits, you may come across tapered bits. They feature a similar design as most other drill bits. The shank part of a tapered drill bit is smooth, followed by a section of helical ridges that’s used … Continue reading

What Is Contact Adhesive?

Contact adhesive offers a simple and effective way to join two or more objects. You don’t need any special tools. Once applied to the objects, the contact adhesive will cause them to stick together. Contact adhesive, however, is different from … Continue reading

Aircraft Ducting: How Ducting Is Used in Airplanes

Ducting isn’t limited to residential heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems. It’s used in many other industries, including aviation. Consisting of hollow and semi-flexible tubes or conduits, it’s responsible for guiding air. How is ducting used in airplanes exactly? Climate … Continue reading