Many aircraft are equipped with either a 14- or 28-volt direct current electrical system. Some systems are more advanced than others, but the basic aircraft electrical system comprises the following components: alternator/generator, battery, master/battery switch, alternator/generator switch, bus bar, fuses, & circuit breakers, voltage regulator, ammeter/load meter, and the associated electrical wiring. In this blog, we will discuss the main parts of aircraft electrical systems. Read more >>

The aircraft hydraulic system is an extremely important element of numerous aircraft, allowing for high amounts of energy to be transferred for the actuation of systems and flight surfaces. As a system that relies upon contained liquids under pressure, hydraulics may be used for opening cargo doors, deploying landing gear, actuating aircraft rudders and spoilers, operating windshield wipers, and much more. As hydraulic systems help both small and large tasks be carried out, their proper functionality is paramount. While a number of factors can affect the functionality of hydraulic systems, the most important are temperature and pressure. Read more >>

Networks are critical for supporting business, fostering communication, providing entertainment, and beyond. A key component of every network is the network switch, which allows devices within the network to connect to transmit data and share resources. The network switch operates at the Data Link layer of the OSI model (layer 2). It receives packets being sent by devices connected to its physical ports and redistributes them through the ports that lead to the device to which the packet is intended to go. They are also able to work at the network layer, layer 3, where routing occurs. While switches are used in networks based on ethernet, Fibre Channel, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), and InfiniBand, the majority of switches use ethernet. Read more >>

Whether they are electromechanical or solid state, relays, solenoids, and contactors are all examples of switches. However, they all have differences and unique characteristics that make them better suited to different applications. This blog will cover all three and discuss certain considerations to make when deciding which device is best for you. Read more >>

When watching a propeller aircraft begin to operate as the engine is turned on, it can be astounding to witness just how fast propellers can spin. Due to the speed at which propellers are operated at for achieving sufficient thrust, it can be difficult to see which way they are revolving. Furthermore, one may wonder if there is a standard for direction, and whether all move the same way. While a grand number of propellers tend to spin in a clockwise direction, there are some outliers that present the opposite operation. Read more >>