Blogs - Just Parts Unlimited

Aircraft rigging is the process of adjusting movable flight controls on major aircraft surfaces like wings and stabilizers. Ailerons, elevators, and rudders are all examples of aircraft rigging gear. Besides the flight controls, rigging is also done to other areas of the aircraft to incorporate engine controls, flight deck controls, and components of retractable landing gear. Attachment of hardware using cotter pins, locknuts, or safety wire is also included in the rigging process. Read more >>

Some aircraft cockpits feature a large blue lever located next to the throttle. This the propeller controller, and is used to set the propeller and engine speed for an aircraft with a constant speed propeller. Constant speed propellers work by varying the pitch of the propeller blades, which alters the in-flight properties of the propeller. As the propeller blade angle is increased, it produces more thrust, but also requires more torque to spin the propeller, which slows down the engine. Inversely, when the blade angle is decreased, the torque required is decreased, and the engine speeds up. Read more >>

The greatest design strength of helicopters, the horizontal main rotor blade that lets the aircraft take off and land vertically, is also its greatest design issue: as the main rotor spins, it generates enormous amounts of torque, which, if left unopposed, will cause the rest of the helicopter to spin as well, rendering it completely uncontrollable. To balance out this torque, the vertical tail rotor spins in opposition of the main rotor to cancel out the rotary effect. Read more >>

How is an aircraft capable of flight? A key component in their ability to fly is the type of engine the plane houses and the parts that construct the engine. Aircraft engines are designed with the same core components across different planes, including fans, compressors, combustors, turbines, and nozzles. When these parts operate in unison, flight is possible. If any one of these parts was missing, then flight wouldn’t be achievable. The individual parts of the engine may be small be they contribute to a wholesome larger picture. Many aircraft today utilize gas powered turbine engines because of their efficacy, reliability, and performance. There are four main types of turbine engines in operation today: the turbojet, turboprop, turbofan, and turboshaft engine. Read more >>

The standard propulsion system seen on commercial aircraft is a twin turbofan gas turbine engine assembly. Airbus and Boeing utilize this dual engine system on most of their aircraft. The fuel-efficient assembly is widely used in high-speed transport and has helped propel the aerospace industry to what it is today (pun intended). Read more >>