Aerospace Orbit Blog

Aircraft powered by piston and turboprop engines feature propeller blades that pull or push on the air around the aircraft to provide propulsion. As piston engines have become more powerful, they require more and more propeller blades.

One of the most important components to making flying safe is the actuator, a “mover” that uses a control signal and power source in order to move and control a mechanism or system. They play a vital role in flight and control, ensuring safety of the aircraft and passengers. In the case of aircraft actuators, they are used in landing gear, flaps— and, in the military, weapons systems.

The most expensive and important part of an aircraft is easily the engine. Sometimes you don’t have any other option than to overhaul your current engine. It can be a frustrating process, but it gets easier when you know who to turn to and what needs to be done.

Boeing recently passed their one-year anniversary of the 737 Max. Their anniversary has been supported by a large, in-service fleet that has satisfied the promises for improved fuel efficiency while also fighting problems normally faced with new aircrafts. The Boeing Company delivered one-hundred thirty aircrafts that represent two versions of the 737 Max in its first 12 months of delivery to Lion Air’s subsidiary that is based in Malaysia. It is speculated that delivery could have been higher, but CFM International, the aircraft engine parts supplier for the 737 Max fell a few weeks behind on a scheduled ramp-up of Leap-1B engine production.

Airlines are continuously evaluating their connectivity options while closely looking out for cost. One component is both weight and drag that is inflicted by standard, mechanical broadband antennas used for satellite communication. QEST, a German based company focusing on only aircraft antennas, anticipates its advanced flat phased array antenna that can be steered electronically will be ready to be introduced to the market by the beginning of next year.