Flight control surfaces are common aircraft devices that allow for pilots to manipulate the flight dynamics of the vehicle. Coming in the form of aviation parts such as ailerons, elevators, rudders, spoilers, and flaps, flight control surfaces are paramount for the efficiency and optimization of piloting and flight. As aircraft often operate in environments where they may face strong winds, prop washer, or jet efflux hazards, various means of protection are implemented in order to ensure the safety of such components. Read more >>

On any fighter type jet, a circuit breaker panel is found on the underbelly or side of the cockpit, right below where the pilot would sit. Much like a circuit breaker you would find at home, the aircraft circuit breaker would be like a box or panel that acts like a protective device for opening a circuit automatically when excessive current is flowing through it. A circuit breaker may be reset to restore the circuit after a fault causing excessive current has been corrected. Essentially the circuit breaker panel is an electrical protecting safety device which is why most homes, helicopters, airplanes, and other facilities must have a circuit breaker. Read more >>

Precision shims are useful aircraft mating components, allowing for the gaps between mating components to be filled in order to provide a precise fit for assemblies. As a result, utilizing precision shims can save a great amount of manufacturing costs as individual parts do not need to be precisely machined in order to operate efficiently in the assembly. Additionally, precision shims can protect the surfaces of mating components, extending their service lives and further decreasing the amount of assembly time and money it takes to maintain a system. In general, the two main types of precision shims that are commonly used include laminated shims and edge bonded shims, each providing their unique benefits to assemblies. Read more >>

Within the realm of aviation, there are many types of vehicles that fall under the Federal Aviation Administration’s official definition of aircraft. These include airplanes, rotorcraft, airships, gliders, paramotors, and hot air balloons. In regards to airplanes in particular, they are described by the FAA as a fixed-wing aircraft that are heavier-than-air and engine driven. While a plethora of fixed-wing aircraft types exist for various civil, military, and government applications, most share common major components that allow them to perform flight operations with ease. Across all fixed-wing aircraft types, the common major components include the fuselage, wings, empennage, and landing gear. Read more >>

The Fixed Base Operator (or FBO) is a commonly used term in the business aviation industry. However, despite this, few people really know what a Fixed Base Operator is. The term originated in the United States after World War I, a time when the aviation industry was essentially completely unregulated. The majority of pilots were either stunt performers (called barnstormers) or very short-distance commuter pilots in retired military aircraft. These pilots would often land in open fields on farms where they would make camp. These temporary bases were the original civilian airfields. Read more >>