V-speeds are standard terms used in aviation to define airspeeds that are important or useful to the operation of all aircraft. These speeds are derived from data gathered by aircraft designers and manufacturers during flight testing for aircraft type-certification testing. Adhering to V-speeds is considered a best practice to maximize aviation safety, aircraft performance, or both. The speeds represented by these standards are specific to a particular model of aircraft and are expressed by the aircraft's indicated airspeed, rather than ground speed or other speeds, so that pilots may use them directly without having to apply correction factors, as aircraft instruments also show indicated airspeed.
For the safety and efficiency of flight, pilots have a number of aircraft instruments and avionics in the cockpit to aid in their awareness. The heading indicator, also known as a directional gyro, is an aircraft instrument that allows the pilot to know the aircraft’s heading. Heading indicators indicate both the primary heading and indirect bank of an aircraft, and they provide more accurate readings as compared to a standard magnetic compass. In this blog, we will discuss the aircraft heading indicator more in detail, explaining how they work and provide functionality.
To help an aircraft achieve and sustain flight, a variety of aerodynamic surfaces are installed to allow for lift generation, directional control, and much more. Aircraft stabilizers are critical aerodynamic surfaces that provide stability and control to the pitch and yaw. Stabilizers often vary in type, and they can be fixed, adjustable, or fully moveable surfaces. For the standard aircraft, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, or v-tail configurations, are placed on the empennage to provide for longitudinal and directional stabilization and control.
A switch is a device used to interrupt the flow of a circuit. Every single electrical application features at least one switch, to turn the device on and off. Switches can be mechanical or electronic. Mechanical switches are operated physically, by the moving, pressing, or releasing of its contacts. Electronic switches do not require manual operation to control a circuit, and are instead activated by semiconductor action. However, there are a myriad of different types of switches used in a wide range of applications. This blog will explain many of the types of mechanical and electronic switches and provide details about their characteristics and functions.
The engine of an aircraft is one of the most critical areas, supplying the aircraft with a fuel supply that allows it to achieve propulsion and sustained flight. With the complexity of aircraft engines, ranging from correct fuel flow to optimal oil pressure, being aware of various systems and processes is extremely beneficial to maintain safe flight. Aircraft engine monitoring instruments are a set of instruments that provide various important information regarding the status, performance, and operating ranges of different engine parts. In this article, we will discuss some of the main engine monitoring systems, and how they provide pilots information to maintain safe flying.
