Aerospace Orbit Blog

Many owners of helicopters will prefer using a turbine engine to a piston engine because the former tends to get you to longer distances. Turbine engines also tend to be more powerful and as a result more frequently used in helicopters. Though more expensive than the Piston Engine, they do have more punch to their power, which many users feel is worth the extra cost. The Helicopter Engine Parts has many complexities to it, and while there is a lot that can be discussed, this article will stick primarily to the basics. To find out more about the helicopter turbine engine, read the article below. Read more >>

A resistor is an electrical resistant component that is placed within an electrical system in order to impede current flow, alter signal levels, divide voltages, terminate transmission lines, and more. Resistors are a versatile and important component as they can protect sensitive components from an overload of current, as well as provide for functionality by limiting current to an optimal amount for an application. There are many resistor types as well, and a few common examples include carbon composition, Wire Wound Resistor, and variable resistors. Read more >>

The term electronic component is often used synonymously with “electric parts,” and while it can certainly be classified as such, the term does not encompass all electronic parts. Electronic Components actually refers to a basic element in electronics that has terminals that allow for it to connect to other components and develop different functional mechanisms. Read more >>

Starter generators play a dual role in the operation of various aircraft by combining the functionality of two vital systems into a single, space-saving unit. As equipment efficiency, weight, and overall reliability are all critical priorities for flight operations, starter generators provide a balanced means of achieving the power necessary to kickoff engine operations and uphold electricity during flight. Read more >>

When people see a networking switch, they may think it is a router at first. While a switch and a router both are network devices that can connect multiple computers together to the internet through the modem, they serve different functions in how they connect and manage data. While a router connects various networks on a single connection, a switch is more of a bridge in which multiple computers are connected together onto a single network. Therefore a router connects multiple networks and a switch connects computers to a single network. Switches usually benefit large networks in which many systems are connected through LAN. A Fiber Optic Switch in particular is a special type that allows for a connected network that runs on fiber optic technology. Read more >>

With the electric currents that work to Supply Power to the many appliances that we rely on daily, there are always electrical issues that may arise. From short circuits to other forms of current overloads, damage to the appliance, circuit, or even the building may be caused. With the use of a circuit breaker, building, appliance, and circuit protection can be achieved through shutting off the current through contact separation during an overload. Depending on the rating or size of the system that is present, different types of Circuit Breakers may be utilized. In this article, we will give a short overview of some of the main types of breakers. Read more >>

Most people outside the aviation industry will equate the terms air traffic controller with aircraft dispatcher and believe them to be synonymous. Even when reporting news stories on aircraft incidents, anchors will mistakenly refer to an aircraft dispatcher when they are actually referring to the air traffic controller. The terms and the duties of each can certainly resemble each other, but there is a significant difference between the two. If you’re hoping to enter into the industry, it helps being able to differentiate between the two. Read more >>

From small generators to large commercial vehicles, every machine depends on fuel to function. Having the ability to conduct fuel calculation of an airplane is critical for crews so that they are able to adhere to set routes. There are a few methods and benefits of being able to measure the amount of fuel that is remaining in an aircraft. Quantity of fuel can be measured with the rate in which fuel is flowing into the engine and can be beneficial for the flight crew of an aircraft to calculate the remaining flight time. Airplane fuel meters and measurements also help for comparing the functionality and performance of engines to past calculated performance. Read more >>

Airspeed is the measurement of the speed a plane is traveling on its own, without help from tailwind or other factors. Rather than being measured by an intricate system of electrical parts, airspeed is found using a type of differential pressure gauge called a pitot tube. The tube has an open end which, when mounted on the wing, faces toward the flow of air or water. The airspeed indicator works by measuring the difference between a fixed sensor away from the air stream and a sensor, the pitot tube, in the air stream. While the aircraft is still, the pressure in each tube is equal and the airspeed indicator displays zero. Read more >>

Due to the risks involved in flight, safety measures must be exhaustive, comprehensive, and followed obsessively. Determining the airworthiness of an aircraft is the responsibility of the pilot, flight crew, and the maintenance staff that work on the aircraft. The pilot or copilot is responsible for performing a preflight check, and the maintenance staff is responsible for managing the maintenance state of the aircraft and delivering that information to the flight crew. Read more >>