When discussing the rotation of a moving yacht or aircraft around a vertical axis, one is referring to yaw. A yaw rotation is a motion around the vertical axis of a fixed body that alters the direction of the vehicle, adjusting its heading to the left or right of its current path of movement. The yaw speed or yaw acceleration of a car, airplane, rocket, or other fixed body is the angular acceleration of this rotation or the rate of transformation of the heading angle when the airplane is flying. Its measure is commonly presented in degrees per second or radians per second.

When choosing the various integrated circuit components for an electronic device, one will likely consider an LED as a lighting mechanism. After all, LED technology has garnered much popularity in the portable device market thanks to its increased efficiency and expanded lifespan. Of the various considerations one must keep in mind when implementing LED technology, the driver circuit is one of the most important. In this blog, we will discuss how LEDs work in portable devices and what nuances surround choosing a driver circuit for such applications.

Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind the different colored runway lights at an airport? These lights play a crucial role in flight safety and are thus heavily regulated. In fact, every airport supporting takeoff and landing operations is required to have an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) approved lighting system. In this blog, we will discuss the various types of runway lights and how they contribute to the safety of aircraft takeoff, landing, and towing operations.

Aircraft brakes must be capable of generating enormous amounts of friction to stop a vehicle in motion. Relied on for ground operations, landing, and emergency stops, aircraft brakes work synonymously with various braking equipment to successfully bring an aircraft to a stop. Creating high amounts of energy upon takeoff, modern aircraft require brakes with the ability to withstand stopping at high speeds when an emergency halt is imminent. To ensure all forces can be withstood during braking, it is essential that aircraft use single, dual, or multiple disc brakes for optimal results depending on an aircraft's size and shape.

A wirewound resistor is an electrical passive device that limits or restricts current within a circuit. The resistive element is a wire made of varying alloys that is insulated by a non-conductive material like a vitreous enamel that can block or deflect exterior heat. The wire is typically made of nickel-chromium or a copper-nickel-manganese alloy called Manganin, both of which have a high resistivity. Other common materials used include ceramic, plastic, and glass.

In the realm of electronics, a choke is a type of inductor that may be implemented for the means of managing the flow of current. Generally, such devices are capable of blocking high-frequency alternating currents while permitting the flow of both direct current and lower-frequency alternating current. In this blog, we will discuss the construction and functionality of chokes, allowing you to better understand their uses and functionalities. In general, a choke consists of an insulated wire coil that is wound around a magnetic core, though other types may take advantage of a ferrite material that is strung on a wire. As frequency increases, so too does the impedance of the device. Despite featuring low power loss in regard to passing AC and DC, the reactance of chokes limit the amount of AC that they may transmit.

A resistor is a type of passive two-terminal electrical component, commonly implemented within an electronic circuit for the means of providing electrical resistance. Resistors can serve many roles ranging from the reduction of current flow to the termination of transmission lines, and various types may be used for particular needs or requirements. The fusible resistor, commonly known as a fuse resistor, is one that may be used for the protection of a circuit. Capable of guarding a system against current load jumps, such resistors are regularly implemented in series with the input main power supply of a device or assembly.

Flight control surfaces are aerodynamic devices that enable pilot control over an aircraft’s flight attitude, coming in the form of various equipment pieces that are installed on the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, wings, and other structures. The rudder is one of the main directional control surfaces alongside the elevator and ailerons, capable of managing an aircraft’s pitch and roll. With the rudder in particular, pilots manipulate the yaw of the aircraft about its vertical axis for the means of adjusting the direction of the nose. To better understand how the aircraft rudder allows for management of flight attitude and yaw, we will discuss its functionality and how it is used.

Electricity is a volatile force, presenting various risks to sensitive electronics and individuals if proper protection is not in place. Electrical shocks are a hazard associated with energy sources or conductive materials, occurring when electrical energy suddenly flows into a material or individual when contact is established. Electrical shock can be extremely dangerous, presenting risks of injury or death to individuals or the complete failure of electrical devices. To prevent the hazards associated with electrical shock, components known as grounding straps are regularly used.

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.