ASAP Aviation Supplies Blog

Despite the fact that flight is a relatively safe way to travel, accidents occur, so it is important for those operating aircraft to troubleshoot. According to the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC), many accidents in general aviation (GA) occur as a result of inadequate aeronautical decision making (ADM), in tandem with inadequate resource management skills. As such, this blog will serve as an overview of basic ADM principles, as well as how to use a method known as the 3-P Model to integrate better skills into your flights. To improve your decision making as a pilot, consider the following guidelines.

When discussing aircraft and their ability of flight, you may see the term airfoil being used just as much as wings when describing the lift generating surfaces that make powered flight possible. While the two terms are not quite interchangeable, they are very much connected. In general, an airfoil is simply a specific shape that allows for lift generation, thus being the standard shape that wings are constructed in. Alongside this, fans, propellers, stabilizers, and other various surfaces may also utilize the airfoil shape, proving its usefulness for the manipulation of airflow and aerodynamics. To help you better understand how flight is made possible, we will provide a brief overview of airfoils and their various characteristics.

If you have ever tuned into a conversation between pilots and air traffic controllers, their exchange may sound like a foreign language. As such, student pilots are taught to understand and speak in certain lingo that consists of required numbers, words, and phrases used in aviation during their training. Using communication training aids and simulators, pilots learn how to keep the conversation going.

Constant Speed Drives (CSDs) are essential components in aircraft engineering, such equipment serving to convert the variable speed of a rotating input shaft into a consistent, steady output that can be harnessed for various purposes. For those who operate aircraft with electronics powered by a gas turbine engine, jet, or other powerplant, having an understanding of CSDs is crucial for achieving a fixed rotational speed for powering onboard systems. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of these drives and their unique features, so read on if you are interested in learning more.

In the economy section of commercial airlines, passenger safety during flight is made possible through the use of a lap belt. However, business sections and other premium cabin seats have three-point harnesses. What exactly are these three-point harnesses and what are their qualities? In this blog, we will discuss the three-point harness in more detail..

An airfoil is an aircraft control surface that is designed to react to air moving through and around it. When looking at a typical airfoil profile, there are various specifications to consider. For instance, there is a major difference in the curvatures, or cambers, of the upper and lower surfaces. Furthermore, the leading edge is rounded in appearance, while the trailing edge is characterized by its narrow, tapered look. 

When designing the fuselage and skin sections of a typical aircraft, it is highly important that all joints are secure and everything is well protected from the effects of pressure. Pressure plugs are a staple of wide- and narrow-bodied aircraft alike, coming in the form of heavy-duty fasteners that seal pressurized threaded holes. Also known as threaded plugs, such components can seal an area without becoming loose or failing under extreme pressure values. As leaking pressure can be detrimental for a number of reasons, it can be very useful to have reliable aircraft pressure plugs on hand during construction and maintenance endeavors.

Weight control is a critical element in aircraft safety, which is why there are several regulations pertaining to this topic. Whether it be a fixed-wing, rotor, powered parachute, or any other type of aircraft, each has its own requirements for managing weight and balance. In this article, we will discuss the weight control requirements for various aircraft in order to give you a better understanding of this important topic.

Encoders are communication devices that produce incremental or absolute signals. These signals provide critical data about the speed or position of a motor or other moving equipment and operating devices. These versatile apparatuses convert motion into electrical signals that can be interpreted and analyzed by a separate control device in a motion control system, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). As a result, the control device can utilize this information to send a command for a specific function.

A washer is a common hardware component found alongside fasteners, often being used to distribute loads, minimize vibration, provide spacing, lock fasteners, and more. While washers typically come in the form of flat, rounded plates with holes in their center, there are many types that may be chosen from to suit a particular need or application. Belleville washers are a type of cupped spring washer, often being utilized to take on large loads with their ability to flatten out under pressure.