Chances are, you have probably used a fastener or a machine with fasteners in it within the past week. Used to make a connection between two components, fasteners are small pieces of hardware that come in very handy in a lot of different circumstances. The aerospace industry is particularly fond of fasteners as they form a rigid but temporary connection.


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The first time I saw an aircraft wiring diagram, I was astounded by the intricate design and complexity. No less notable, is the attention that must be paid to the configuration of every component within the wiring system, including electrical connectors. Each aspect of an aircraft, at one time or another, is exposed to sudden changes in temperature, humidity, and pressurization. As such, even aircraft connectors need to meet two crucial parameters—they need to be durable despite multiple stressors, and easy to replace under a time constraint. Original equipment (OEMs) of aircraft employ field replaceable units, carbon composites, and contact retention methods to meet these requirements.


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Aviation, for the sake of safety, is a strictly regulated industry. As a result, every stage of an aircraft’s life is subject to endless procedures and protocols, especially the overhaul process. Over time, aircraft engines will need to be overhauled. Parts will need to be replaced, and the biggest concern during this process is safety. It is also important to maintain the value of the aircraft and engine, and the only way to ensure this is to overhaul the engine using the original manufacturer’s, or OEM’s, approved parts.


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Whether you’re driving a car or piloting a plane, to start the engine, all you really do is turn the ignition key or push the start button. That’s all it takes. But have you ever wondered how such a simple movement causes the spark plugs to fire and the engine to start? The answer is a magneto, a simple and highly reliable electrical generator.


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General Electric’s GE Global Research center in Niskayuna, New York, was given a nine-million dollar, 4-year award from the United States Office of Naval Research. This award is for the development of accelerated processes in areas for developing identical digital models of legacy parts and the creation of new parts. This allows for improvement in maintenance and replacement programs in defense systems.  GE Aviation noted the replacement parts may possibly be applied to an extensive range of military systems, which includes United States Navy ships. In return, this will allow for technicians to develop and replace parts immediately.


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Boeing Business Jets has recently sold three of their new Boeing Business Jet Max models in Greater China. The BBJ program was introduced twenty years ago and currently has 21 BBJs in service in the Great China region. At a press conference at the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE), the company president of Boeing Business Jets, David Longridge, suggested that this order for three BBJ Max models is just the start.


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Bombardier Business Aircraft’s WAVE (Wireless Access Virtually Everywhere) system has been given supplemental certification from Transport Canada.


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On March 25, 2016, Molly McMillin released an article in the Weekly of Business Aviation which talks about Piper Aircrafts being made to order. Piper Aircraft has transitioned to fully 100% made to order. Here’s what Simon Caldecott the President and CEO of Piper has to say about it.


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EasyJet, the British low-cost airline carrier, has recently revealed that the company plans on trialing a hydrogen fuel cell system which uses technology similar to what is used in a Formula 1 kinetic energy recovery system. This recovery system used in the F1 industry utilizes wasted energy from braking and converts it into electrical energy. EasyJet suggests that by using a hydrogen fuel cell system, they could potentially reduce carbon emissions and save around 50,000 tons of fuel per year.


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Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract from the United States Missile Defense Agency for a Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR).The contract is for nine years, plus options, with the highest potential total being around $784 million. Under the terms of the deal, Lockheed will develop and build the LRDR in order to support a layered ballistic missile defense strategy that will protect the U.S. homeland from ballistic missile attacks. The need for these sort of defense systems is growing rapidly. Potential threats from hostile countries continue to grow as places like North Korea and Iran become more advanced with their missile systems.


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