A bearing is a common machine element found in countless assemblies, often serving to mitigate the friction generated between moving parts while also constraining motion as needed. Within the realm of aviation, bearings are commonly used due to their durable and lightweight properties, and they are present in a number of assemblies ranging from the engines of an aircraft to its wings. While coming in the form of a small component, the properties and functionalities of bearings make them an indispensable part of any aircraft. In this blog, we will discuss aircraft bearings and the various types that are commonly used for assemblies, allowing you to better understand the roles that they play for flight operations.
A rotary-wing aircraft, or rotorcraft, is a type of heavier-than-air aircraft that features rotary wings or blades. Unlike typical fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft produce lift through the means of rotating their wings or blades around a vertical mast. Depending on one’s particular needs or application, there are a few common types of rotorcraft one may use, including those such as helicopters, autogyros, and gyrodynes. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the primary rotorcraft types, discussing the configurations and capabilities of each so that you may best understand them.
Aircraft piston engines, also referred to as reciprocating engines, are those that utilize one or more reciprocating pistons for the means of transforming pressure into a rotating motion. Coming in a variety of forms, piston engines have long served aircraft since the inception of powered flight. Despite their long history, piston engines can still be found on a number of modern models, utilizing their standard operations to drive propeller assemblies for the means of flight. In this blog, we will describe the basic functionality of piston aircraft engine types, allowing you to understand how they work.
Aircraft wheels and tires are required to work in extreme conditions, often supporting up to 340 tons and accelerating at speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour during takeoff. Furthermore, they are subject to varied environmental stresses while in flight and during taxiing. While cruising, tires are exposed to temperatures below -40°C and, at touchdown, tire temperatures can briefly exceed 200°C. Additionally, during a rejected takeoff, a fully loaded aircraft accelerates to takeoff speed, and then must stop on the remaining runway. In this scenario, tires must withstand extreme heat and stress until the aircraft comes to a complete stop. As the aircraft tire and wheel assembly is subjected to multiple takeoffs and landings each day, there are few aircraft components that take more daily abuse.
Passenger aircraft almost always feature pressurized cabins, ensuring that all individuals are provided with treated air that is at a pressure and density level that is comfortable and safe for breathing. While pressure is important for safe breathing, so too is the cleanliness of air. As passengers are contained within a limited space for long periods of time, pressurized aircraft have specifically been designed to allow old air to be removed from the aircraft so that clean, fresh air can replace it. In order to carry out these processes, pressurized aircraft rely on the airplane ventilation system.
