Veritable Aviation Blog

In a perfect world, all the chemical energy stored in fuel would be converted into engine thrust during the combustion process, so that the engine is 100% efficient. Unfortunately, this is not the case. For example, a typical internal combustion engine is only about 25%-35% efficient, meaning that the remaining 65%-75% of the total energy released through combustion is utilized to operate the engine or dissipates as heat. In fact, a majority of the energy stored in fuel is used to overcome engine friction or converted into heat and noise as by-products of combustion. Since a big fraction of the total energy is converted into heat, it is clear that having an efficient cooling system in place is paramount for keeping the engine in working condition. 

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.

Air traffic has become a significant concern for the aviation industry as skies are becoming crowded like roads or highways, increasing the chances of air collisions. Despite having advanced technologies present in the aerospace industry, such as ground-based radars, visual vigilance, and traffic control, maintaining air traffic has become an enormous challenge. Due to this situation, collision avoidance equipment has become increasingly normal in every aircraft to reduce the chance of mid-air collisions.

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.

While there are a number of engine types that cater to a diverse set of industries, the most popular type in use today is the reciprocating aircraft engine. Often called a piston engine, reciprocating engines are one of two types of combustion engines that work by combusting fuel to produce energy. Surpassing its predecessor, the rotary engine, which has four separate compartments that perform intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust, reciprocating engines carry out each task within a single cylinder.

Insulation and mounting is an important part of aircraft construction, such materials often being used to support the health, wellness, and safety of all on board. When procuring insulation or insulation mounting, it is important that one considers the types that they need for a given application, the form of aircraft that they are operating, whether materials meet FAA and OEM regulations, and more. In this blog, we will discuss the common roles that insulation and mounting serves for aircraft operations and safety, allowing you to best fulfill your operational needs with ease.

The next time you take a flight on a jet, you will notice that their wings are not entirely flat. Wings are the primary lift-generating airfoils on an airplane. They come in various sizes and designs, but except for a few smaller planes, most wing designs include an angled piece at the end called an aircraft wingtip. While small in size as compared to other components on an aircraft, wingtip design plays a significant role in the magnitude and drag of vortices. In this blog, we will discuss the several shapes of wingtips and how their differences affect flight. 

Rivets are common fasteners that serve a diverse set of applications, often coming in the form of a solid cylindrical shank with a head on one side. When passed through the preformed hole of a surface, the tail side of the fastener can be upset, establishing a second head that secures the component in place permanently. With their design and capabilities, rivets often serve as aircraft fasteners, aiding in the manufacturing process to create strong unions that can be steadily relied on. In this blog, we will discuss the various types of aircraft rivets that are used for construction, and how they are implemented. 

The fuel metering system is an often overlooked piece of equipment in an aircraft's engine. Fuel economy and thrust rely on a deliberate fuel-to-air ratio entering the engine, that of which is dependent on speed and altitude. This task could not be completed without a fuel metering system. In this blog, we discuss the purpose and function of the fuel metering system.