Veritable Aviation Blog

A semiconductor is a material that has partial electrical conductivity. Electrical conductivity refers to a material’s ability to conduct an electric current, and as the name implies, the conductivity value of a semiconductor is between that of a conductor and that of an insulator. Semiconductors have many useful characteristics such as the ability to pass currents in one direction, variable resistance to currents, and sensitivity to heat and light.

Just before the dawn of World War II, the Royal Air Force designated six flight instruments that would be installed in every single RAF aircraft. These guidelines were adopted by commercial and civil aviation manufacturers alike and came to be known as the “six pack.” The six pack consists of six instruments providing the pilot with constantly updating information of speed, altitude, ascension/descension, attitude, heading, as well as turning/banking. The individual instruments are the airspeed indicator (ASI), altimeter, vertical speed indicator (VSI), attitude indicator, heading indicator, and turn coordinator.

Integrated circuits, also called microelectronic circuits, microchips, or just “chips,” are assemblies of electronic components fabricated as a single unit, in which miniaturized active devices like transistors and diodes, and passive devices like capacitors and resistors, as well as their interconnections, are built onto a thin substrate of semiconductor material, usually silicon. The resulting circuit is a small “chip,” which can be as small as a few square centimeters, while the individual components can be microscopic in size.

From inflight entertainment systems, to cockpit instruments and wing lights, the aircraft electrical system is involved in some facet. Aircraft electrical systems are large, self-contained networks of components that power an aircraft. Let’s take a look at how these systems operate.

Bearings are omnipresent components that handle rolling motions. Designed to reduce friction and transfer loads and motions, bearings are a crucial part of all kinds of machinery.

There are an estimated 320 miles of cabling and wires on the Airbus A380. Of course, passengers don’t see any of these cables as they are bundled up and discreetly hidden behind seat covers, overhead compartments, and concealed within galley space. This extensive system of wires connects more or less every aspect of the aircraft together. The entertainment system, electrical appliances in the galley, and the electronic equipment in the cockpit all rely upon the interconnectivity of various cables and wires. There are different types of cables each with their capabilities and uses. This blog will detail some of the most common types of wires and cables found in aircraft.

A variable resistor is a device that has the capacity to adjust electrical resistance. They are typically utilized when working with electrical circuitry as they are able to control different voltages and currents. Variable resistors are user friendly and come with a wiper contact that can be slid up or down the resistance track. The wiper contact position on the resistance track is what determines the true resistance value.

Turbine engine ignition systems usually operate for a brief period because the combustor only needs an initial spark. Once ignited, the ignition system is switched off and the fuel remains burning. However, there is potential for the engine to flame out— it'll stop burning. Because of this possibility, continuous ignition is used during critical periods, such as during takeoff, landing, and in emergency situations. This is different from a reciprocating engine, in which the sparks are timed to ignite during various times in the operating cycles.

There really is no right or wrong answer to the question of “which is better, solid state relays or electromechanical relays?” You’ll hear different things with different reasons, depending on who you ask. It’s best to learn the differences between the two and make that judgement for yourself.

What is the importance of a turbocharger in a plane's engine?. A turbocharger is a vital component for the plane when climbing to a high altitude. Piston driven aircraft rely on the compression of air for combustion. But, because there is less air pressure at higher altitudes, there is less air to compress. This is where the turbocharger comes into play.