ASAP Aero Supplies Blog

Aircraft fasteners are paramount to the construction and functionality of countless aviation systems, allowing for two or more components to be secured together. While many fasteners may play similar roles in creating assemblies through their installation, different types, materials, and shapes may all affect the capabilities of the fastener and dictate where and how they are best used. By understanding the differences between common fasteners such as bolts, nuts, and washers, one can ensure that their aircraft assemblies have long and reliable service lives while being able to withstand the extreme forces that aircraft commonly face during flight.

While many aircraft models have streamlined their design processes to include the implementation of similar modern devices and systems such as the glass cockpit, the controls for steering the aircraft itself still remains a divisive design choice for some manufacturers. As the two largest passenger aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing continue to provide different steering controls for their pilots. Within a typical Airbus cockpit, pilots can steer the aircraft with a side stick. Meanwhile, Boeing aircraft utilize a yoke control. With both continuing to be present in their respective aircraft lines and in future models, what are the differences between each and why do they continue to differ?

Aircraft propellers are aerodynamic devices that are able to produce thrust through the conversion of rotational energy into propulsion, and they serve a number of gas turbine engine and piston engine aircraft for flight operations. As one of the earliest aircraft components for flight, propellor blades have been well developed over the past century, and various designs and styles have been engineered to accommodate for a number of applications. As propellers still serve many aircraft of varying types, having an understanding of their functionality and designs can be very beneficial.

For those working outside of the aviation industry or new to it, it’s pivotal that you understand the makeup of an aircraft, right down to its very foundations. The piston ring is a part of that, but note that there are many different types of piston rings that you must also familiarize yourself with. But to get to basics, know that a piston ring can reduce or completely stop leakage of gas pressure that emanates from the combustion chamber. Not only that but it can mitigate the amount to a minimum of the seepage of oil into the combustion chamber.

A gas detector is an essential item that is necessary for any building or office, and even more so for marine vessels. While people working on land can use their emergency exits to head outside and away from the danger of leaked gas, a ship or any other maritime vessel floating out in the middle of the ocean does not offer the same luxury. Hence why a properly functioning gas detector is critical for any ship and in this article you can read about the various detectors that there are in the market.

When procuring items for aviation projects, you may have come across those that are marked as Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) components. PMA components are those that have had design and production approval issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and such approval is given to manufacturers that produce aircraft replacement parts that are tested to meet FAA standards for airworthiness. 

Whether you are operating a helicopter for a commercial company or private company, or simply using it recreationally, it’s important to understand that there are various types of helicopter engine oil systems that could benefit your aircraft in different ways. Some might be more suited toward your specific brand of aircraft, which is why it's essential that you understand the many different types of aircraft systems and the types of helicopter engine oil systems that are compatible. Turbine engine oil systems for instance require a more customized and advanced solution. In this case, the system that would benefit the aircraft is a turbine engine one that requires a constant flow of cooling or oil supply, as well as enough lubrication for the engine oil procedure.

A cable assembly is essentially a transmitter that connects devices in a wide range of ways. The cable assembly emits electrical signals via an internal conductor (commonly copper) which is subsequently insulated with dielectric materials, before being wrapped in shielding and coated with a plastic cover. Cable assemblies are popular due to their limited signal loss and degradation, both of which make them very efficient transmitters of signals.

One of the most important aspects in an aircraft pump system, the fuel pump mechanisms and their maintained health are critical to the safety and performance of an aircraft. To expand on this and what having the aircraft fuel pump means to the aircraft, it’s essential to understand that the fuel is the only consumable liquid that is carried by the aircraft. As a result, it needs to provide all of the cooling that is necessary for the engine and the airframe to work. 

In every industry, there are equipment and gear must-haves that are exclusively unique to its field. Those working in the radio/podcast sector, for instance, know it’s very handy to possess an extra adapter. This is useful in case one needs to plug in an additional headphone set for a guest speaker or if the current adapter is malfunctioning. As another example, hikers and wilderness experts swear by their must-have gear list, which include compasses, flashlights, whistles, and more. Pilots in the aircraft industry are no exception to this trend, for they too have their own very distinct rules that are followed religiously. Their must-haves include gear significant for flight safety equipment. While at first glance these items appear to play too much into the role flight safety equipment, they’re an essential item to have in the case of an emergency. See below for details on the kinds of flight safety must-haves for pilots.