A personal air vehicle, or personal aerial vehicle, is an emerging family of aircraft that is centered around the idea of providing on-demand aviation services. The term was first coined by NASA in 2003 when they established their Personal Air Vehicle Sector Project, that of which is a part of the Aeronautics Vehicle Systems Program. While research and development of personal air vehicles has continued since the initial launch of the program, there have been various barriers that engineers and manufacturers seek to overcome to realize such technologies.

When conducting maintenance or repair work on an aircraft or other vehicle type, it is important that individuals are able to safely inspect and perform work on all sides of the assembly. With a device known as a hydraulic jack, aircraft can safely be lifted so that accidents, damages, and injuries are all avoided.

Pressurized air is important for a number of uses such as HVAC systems, filling tires, operating pneumatic tools, and providing safe pressures within aircraft cabins for breathing. In order to quickly and easily produce pressurized air for countless applications, a pneumatic device known as an air compressor is relied upon. With air compressors, power from an electric motor, diesel, gasoline engine, or other source can be used to create potential energy that is stored in pressurized air. As a very common component to numerous systems and devices, understanding the basic functionality of an air compressor can be quite beneficial for anyone taking advantage of them.

As the method of mounting can affect the accuracy, life, and performance of a bearing, it requires close attention. The bearing’s characteristics should be thoroughly investigated, and mounting should be done in the proper way. The handling procedures for bearings should be fully studied by design engineers such that standards can be established regarding: cleaning of the bearings and associated parts, checking of dimensions and finishes of related parts, mounting, inspection after mounting, and supply of lubricants.

With the majority of aircraft currently relying on fuel mixtures for propulsion generation, it is always crucial for safety that there is some type of fuel quantity indicating system present. With a mixture of fuel flow indicators and fuel gauges, pilots can closely monitor the amount of fuel present in the fuel tank, as well as the rates at which fuel is spent to ensure an efficient and safe flight operation. In this blog, we will provide an overview of fuel flow indicators and fuel gauges, allowing you to better understand the uses that they provide to the aircraft engine and pilot.

Although there are many sizes, shapes, and types of helicopters, most of them share the same major components. Understanding how each of these parts operates can help a pilot more easily locate malfunctions and possible emergency scenarios, and knowledge of the relationship these systems have to one another enables the pilot to make an educated decision and take the appropriate course of action in the event that a problem arises.

The elevator is an example of a primary flight control system. It controls movement about the lateral axis of an aircraft: a movement referred to as pitch. They are also used to control the angle of attack and aid in creating lift. In most aircraft, there are two elevators, one mounted on the trailing edge of each half of the horizontal stabilizer. When a control input is made, either manually or by autopilot, the elevators move up or down as needed. In most installations, the elevator moves symmetrically. However, in certain aircraft controlled by fly-by-wire technology, the elevators move differently from each other in order to meet the control input demands.

A disc brake is a type of brake that utilizes calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or rotor to create friction. This action slows the rotation of the shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either reducing rotational speed or holding it stationary. The energy of motion is then converted into waste heat, which must be disposed of. Hydraulically actuated disc brakes are the most commonly used form of brake for motor vehicles, but the principles of a disc brake can be applied to virtually any rotating shaft.

The yoke is among the most important parts of an aircraft. Also known as the control wheel or control column, the yoke is a device used for piloting certain fixed-wing aircraft. The pilot uses the yoke to control the attitude of the plane, typically in both pitch and roll. Rotation of the yoke controls the ailerons as well as the roll axis. Fore and aft movement of the yoke controls the elevator and pitch axis. When the pilot pulls back on the yoke, the nose of the aircraft rises. When the yoke is pushed forward, the nose is lowered. Similarly, when the yoke is turned left the plane rolls to the left, and when it is turned to the right, the plane rolls right.

To carry out the many complex operations that are required for a safe and efficient flight, there needs to be reliable energy sources in place on aircraft that systems can use to maintain power and functionality. The auxiliary power unit (APU) is an energy source that is commonly found on airliners and business jets, and they typically serve as an additional energy source to start the main engines, as well as provide power for the operation of various onboard systems, avionics, and electronics while at the gate of an airport.