To control an aircraft's various systems and functions, different technologies have been employed to manage these larger-than-life vessels. Since the advent of aircraft control systems, maneuvering an aircraft has never been easier. In fact, aircraft control systems play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of airplanes. To better understand how they work, we will explore and compare three common types used in aircraft: hydraulic systems, cable systems, and fly-by-wire systems.


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Magnetos are an important element of many aircraft engines, serving to create the voltage necessary for fuel combustion. While magnetos are designed to be extremely robust as a result of the intensive environments that they typically operate in, such equipment will still face gradual wear and tear over time, oftentimes leading to losses in performance, operational issues, and eventual failure. As such, when issues arise with the ignition system of the engine, it is important that one addresses things as soon as possible to see if there are symptoms of a bad magneto. As issues can result from a variety of things, it can be useful to have a general understanding of the most common signs of a bad magneto system, and how to conduct general magneto troubleshooting.


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Unless an aircraft features a fully electric engine, it will require regular refueling in order to conduct flight operations. Aircraft can be refueled in a few ways, generally using a mobile tanker or a stationary pumping station. As fuel is combustible, it is important that it is safely delivered to the fuel tank of the aircraft to ensure hazard prevention. This safety is upheld through the use of what is known as a fuel breakaway valve, that of which is commonly found on various aircraft types.


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For most fixed-wing aircraft, the lift that keeps them in the sky is a result of their forward airspeed and manipulation of airflow through wings and other flight structures. While the lift that aircraft are able to produce is ample for standard flight operations, this lift can easily be lost if the pilot does not maintain a safe attitude. For example, traveling at too high of an angle of attack can easily lead to a loss of lift, resulting in a hazardous situation where the aircraft may begin to lose altitude and require careful but quick pilot intervention. Luckily, pilots are well-trained on how to handle stalling as they work to get their license, and most aircraft feature what are known as stall warning systems that will provide an audio and/or visual queue to the pilot when a stall is impending. As these systems are crucial for safety, pilots should ensure that they are familiar with the common types of stall warning systems that they may have to rely on.


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If you have ever wondered how a pilot gives input on the control stick, yoke, or  rudder, then this blog is for you. Traditionally, airplanes had steel wires running from the control column to the ailerons, elevators, and rudders. The ailerons control roll, the elevators control pitch, and the rudders control yaw. Roll, pitch, and yaw define the movement of aircraft on three different axes, and the combination of these controls is what allows pilots to have a successful flight.


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In aviation, hydraulic systems are the backbone of aircraft, allowing pilots to carry out flight plans with ease. Hydraulic systems operate by driving machinery via fluid pressurization. These systems are responsible for powering other aircraft systems such as landing gear, flight controls, brakes, cargo doors, and thrust reversers. As such, they perform the function of moving and actuating both critical and basic components within aircraft. To understand the importance of hydraulic systems, this blog will provide a brief overview of how they work.


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A vast majority of aircraft necessitate electrical power to perform standard flight procedures such as taxiing, landing, and operating navigation equipment within the cockpit. The typical electrical systems within aircraft consist of a battery and an alternator or generator, all of which are connected via several meters of wire.


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Across all piston-powered aircraft, the two primary fuel systems are the carburetor and fuel-injection system. While most general aviation aircraft initially relied on carburetor systems, fuel-injection systems have quickly risen in popularity in past years. The fuel-injection system holds various advantages over its counterpart, its benefits ranging from increased safety to improved performance. As a result, fuel-injection systems can be beneficial for many pilots depending on their needs. In this blog, we will discuss the design and functionality of the fuel injection system, allowing you to better understand how they work and provide fuel for flight.


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The formation of ice across an aircraft and its systems is detrimental to flight operations, potentially disrupting airflow, reducing efficiency, and causing other various issues. For aircraft that feature propeller assemblies, ice commonly forms in a number of areas such as the propeller leading edges, cuffs, and spinner. As such, it is important that there are means for removal. Aircraft deice systems are quite popular for aircraft propeller assemblies, often taking advantage of electrical heating elements and chemical deicing fluids for protection.


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Not all aircraft achieve flight through the same methods of propulsion. Whether classified as a lighter-than-air or heavier-than-air vehicle, aircraft can be categorized based on the type of propulsion system it utilizes to generate forward movement. Developed from earlier forms of aircraft employing internal combustion engines to power rotary engine technology, aircraft and their use of propellers have evolved over the decades to suit piston and turboprop engine types. However, as engines grew in size to support larger, more powerful aircraft, propellers had to follow suit. Manufactured for specific engine capabilities, a propeller’s design is directly related to its generated thrust and must be capable of counterbalancing an engine’s power to ensure optimal performance.


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