Archives :: Aviation Maintenance Magazine :: Issue :: Product Focus
Displaying 1 - 20 of 84 stories.
August 1, 2009
Bolts are bolts. Anti-seize goes on before every nut. I don’t need to use a torque wrench; after many years doing this, I can feel when it’s tight enough. I always use a torque wrench, so I know every bolt is tensioned properly. Just flip the washer over if it has an indentation in it. Aircraft are all way overbuilt; everything has redundancy, too. All those statements are wrong, and those...June 1, 2009
Despite the recession’s toll on Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and its customers, the company remains bullish on its geared turbofan (GTF) technology and the design’s maintenance advantages over conventional turbofan architectures. The company has invested more than $1 billion in engineering and development on the GTF engine over the past two decades. Initial launch customers for the engine...May 1, 2009
By Joy Finnegan, Editor Clean and green. That’s a reference to a story in the Stephen Covey classic, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and "Clean and Green" is one of many stories in that book. In the story, Covey tasks his son with the upkeep of the family yard and drills into him that his goal is to have a yard that is clean and green. If you have never read the book...March 1, 2009
By Douglas Nelms Normally, the phrase "Image is everything" is a somewhat derogatory comment on our social mores. But in today’s world of remote visual inspections, it means the next major step in borescope technology... that and greater portability. Borescope manufacturers are achieving greater imagery in their products in two separate ways, depending on whether they are producing a...February 1, 2009
By David Schober, A&P, IA As mechanics, we all use tools. Those tools include our brains for troubleshooting and calculating, literature to reference procedures and specifications, software and computers to supplement the literature, and finally various pieces of hardware that are shaped to provide leverage or holding power to various fasteners, cut things, hammer things, align things, and the list...September 1, 2008
Good maintenance practices and preventive care on wheels and brakes seem to be one of those neglected tasks. David Schober gives a refresher course on the inspection of wheels and brakes. As early as 1933, the Department of Commerce recognized that the certification of certain parts should be done independent of the certification of an entire aircraft. Aircraft wheels are one class of parts that were...August 1, 2008
They’re round, dirty, probably have a growing bald spot and are under loads of pressure; and while I could easily be describing an aviation journalist, I am, in fact, talking about aircraft tires. Alas, the lowly aircraft tire is one of the most important, yet under-appreciated parts of any airplane. Regardless of the weather or the length of the flight, pilots and passengers rely on tires to perform...July 1, 2008
By David Schober, A&P, IA, DAR Reciprocating engine manufacturers have been slow to incorporate new technology ignition systems. There are a few electronic systems available, and the only TC’d engines with electronic ignition are the TCM Continental IOF-240 and IOF-550. Unison has STC’d Lasar systems (see image above) for most horizontally opposed engines, but beyond that we are still...May 1, 2008
Good, quality tools can help aircraft mechanics work more efficiently. A&P Mitch Muller tried out a few offerings in his shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here’s what he learned. For professionals that need them in order to make a living, tools become an important part of our lives. Face it, no tools, no money. As aviation maintenance technicians, we are sometimes forced to use automotive style tools for...January 1, 2008
"An airframe contains the elements necessary to turn it into a battery — all that’s lacking is an electrolyte" — Jim Van Gilder, founder, Corrosion Technologies When two different metals are near each other and are bathed in an electrolyte, electrolysis occurs: that’s how a battery works. Electrons transfer from one metal to the other: that’s corrosion. Even...November 1, 2007
Painting aircraft is possibly the most feared, most avoided and most time-intensive endeavor any human being can attempt. It is not only difficult and time-consuming, it often yields mixed results. State-of-the-art facilities, equipment and coatings can help. Thank goodness there are people out there who are not only willing to paint things, but are also really good at it. Some of them find their way to...September 1, 2007
They’re small, lightweight and they are one of the most highly stressed, ofttimes abused part of any aircraft. What are "they"? Aircraft wheels and brakes of course. And if you don’t believe that they lead very stressful lives, just take a look at any runway. See all those 100-foot-long skid marks? The wheels and brakes are at the center of all that stopping power. Sure the tires take...August 1, 2007
How can you ensure that your shop is not accidently using bogus parts? Always use a supply chain that is reputable, be certain that all parts have the appropriate documentation and that the parts remain traceable throughout their existence. Even then, you may encounter a bogus part. I was probably 18 or 19 years old the first time someone approached me on the street and tried to sell me a "genuine...July 1, 2007
When buying avionics test equipment, there’s more to figure into the equation than price alone. Writer Dale Smith talked to experts in the field who gave some guidelines and food for thought when making the decision to purchase test equipment. It would seem like a textbook no-brainer — if you can afford to buy new test equipment, you do; if budget is an issue, you buy used. End of story. Turn...July 1, 2007
Oil coolers, by nature, are rather fragile. Stress on the fittings, hoses and attachments transfer to the cooler. Proper cleaning, maintenance and inspection are important to maintain the integrity of the component. Writer Tim Kern talked to experts in the field to discover how to keep your aircraft flying clean and cool. Oil coolers are simple, trouble-free devices that require minimal care. Generally...June 1, 2007
The saying goes you can never be too rich or too thin. Let’s add to that and say you can never be too safe. Here’s a look at some of the latest safety equipment available to maintenance technicians today. Nine out of 10 times an aircraft technician will put the customer and their company first. This goes along with their selfless and willing attitude to quickly finish a job. One out of ten will...June 1, 2007
3M’s Clean Sanding Discs 3M has a new sanding disc for composite surface refinishing. The new disc has a unique surface configuration. It is designed to mimic naturally occurring patterns found in phenomena such as a hurricane or a seashell to offer optimal dust extraction capabilities and better cutting action. These discs are designed to work on composite structures and for paint removal. They have...May 1, 2007
In 1999, the G550 program began as an advanced cockpit project and evolved into a complete aircraft upgrade. Gulfstream’s current technological glory proves to be its PlaneView glass cockpit with Enhanced Vision System (EVS). Gulfstream’s ultra-long-range G550 fleet surpassed 100,000 flight hours and 43,000 takeoffs and landings since the jet entered service in September 2003. There are...April 1, 2007
DayJet announced, as this issue was going to press, the receipt of $50 million in capital resulting from the completion of its third round of private equity financing. This latest round of investment provides DayJet with the capital required to launch its innovative "Per-Seat, On-Demand" jet service in the second quarter of this year and places the company among the best capitalized...April 1, 2007
The airline industry continues to face obstacles in its path to profitability. Some airlines have begun using PMA parts as a serious part of cost-reducing strategies. The road was paved more than 50 years ago, but it has taken the airline industry nearly five decades to make a habit of taking the "road less traveled," a road lined with PMA (parts manufacturer approval) parts. Arguably just as...
Aviation Jobs
Partner With Us
Looking to advertise in Rotor&Wing Magazine, Avionics Magazine, or on AviationToday.com?
Find out more about opportunities to partner with us to reach and interact with your target audience, or contact us:
Randy Jones, Publisher, Rotor & Wing
rjones@accessintel.com or (972) 713-9612
Tish Drake, Publisher, Avionics
tdrake@accessintel.com or 800-325-0156
Join us on: Twitter AVProNet