Veritable Aviation Blog

When we think about the complex machinery and engineering that is incorporated into aircraft design and operation, it is easy to overlook the importance of seemingly small components. O-rings, which come in the form of simple circular seals, play a critical role in the aviation industry. These unassuming rings are used in various aircraft systems, including landing gear and flight instruments, where reliability is of the utmost importance. In this blog, we will discuss O-rings in aviation applications, allowing you to fully understand their use.

Aircraft are modern marvels of engineering, and their efficiency is critical for safe and cost-effective air travel. While most people associate an aircraft’s performance with its engine(s), there is a crucial component that often goes unnoticed despite playing a pivotal role in optimizing efficiency: the aircraft exhaust system. In this blog, we will delve into the significance of engine exhaust systems, their key components, and how they contribute to overall engine efficiency.

Electricity is a vital part of modern aircraft designs and operations, serving to power everything from the brakes and wings to the engine generator. As such, a complete failure of the electrical system can result in the loss of vital functions, hampering the crew's ability to operate the aircraft safely. In this blog, we will explore the potential outcomes and risks associated with any form of electrical failure in aircraft, especially the effects it has on communication equipment, navigation instruments, lighting, and more.

For most commercial aircraft, operations are carried out at an average altitude of around 33,000 to 42,000 feet above sea level. At this height, modern engines can perform optimally and with the benefit of avoiding common adverse meteorological conditions. Despite these advantages, oxygen conditions at such heights are not suitable for breathing, making it essential that passengers, pilots, and crewmembers are offered an atmosphere that is safe and comfortable. To do this, cabins are sealed, pressurized, and supplied with a stream of breathable air. In this blog, we will discuss the process of air circulation for commercial aircraft, allowing you to better understand how such environments are established and upheld.

The wings of an airplane are one of the most technologically advanced aspects of aircraft, generating and maintaining many of the forces required for flight. In addition to creating lift, airplane wings also serve a number of other purposes, ranging from storing fuel to controlling flight. Given their complexity, aircraft wings comprise a collection of parts designed for various purposes. For your better understanding, we will break down and explore the parts of a typical airplane wing in the following blog.

Each aircraft is a collection of complex technology and processes which have benefited from decades of rapid progress. One such innovation has been the implementation of aerial refueling wherein one aircraft pumps fuel through a hose to another aircraft mid-flight. To work effectively, the two aircraft must fly in formation at a specific distance from each other throughout the process. Once in the right formation, a hose and several other components are extended to connect the two planes. After which, a signal is sent out by the pilot to start pumping. This process is the result of careful learning and planning which has guided the steps of the procedure. In this article, we will be discussing how aerial refueling works in more detail, including the different methods that exist.

Commercial aircraft are massive and powerful vehicles, capable of traveling at hundreds of miles per hour in the atmosphere despite weighing as much as 250 tons. When landing on a runway to finish a flight operation, the average commercial aircraft will touch down at a speed of around 170 miles per hour, and it is up to the tires, brakes, and other flight systems to rapidly shed that speed to come to a safe stop. With the weight and speed of an aircraft landing, one may wonder how such an operation is possible without having tires burst everytime they establish contact. The reason behind this ability is that aircraft tires are specifically engineered and designed to be immensely rigorous, relying on a number of assembly parts to remain healthy across flight operations. 

An operational aircraft must utilize airworthy designated parts from certified manufacturers as it is illegal to install or use any part that does not meet airworthiness standards. In addition, non-certified parts or components can compromise the safety and efficacy of a plane. Therefore, several organizations such as NATO and other international civil aviation groups work to regulate and maintain standard production requirements for all aircraft parts. One such organization is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which offers standards and certificates such as Technical Standard Orders (TSO) and Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) which signifies a part’s airworthiness or ability to meet specific performance standards. When ordering parts online, one must consider these standards to guarantee the high quality and reliability of parts for an aircraft. In this blog, we will discuss TSO and PMA standards and certifications offered by the FAA so that you may better understand their use and difference.

Batteries are a common feature within aircraft, often being used during the preflight phase to power the electrical system for engines and the auxiliary power unit to begin operations. These aircraft batteries are much more robust as compared to the batteries found in typical personal devices and electronics, and their complexity ensures the proper operation of advanced aircraft electrical systems. Generally, there are two main aircraft battery types that are found in aircraft, those of which are nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion batteries. In this blog, we will discuss both in brief detail, allowing you to have a better understanding of their functionality.

Between the fuel, oil, and water found in the receptacles of several aircraft compartments, there is a continuous need for used fluid to be drained safely. To accomplish this, drain valves are installed at various locations throughout aircraft, including the fuel tank, oil compartment, and onboard sinks. In this blog, we will discuss how drain valves work and what considerations exist with the various fluid types they may encounter.