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Archive for the ‘Aircraft’ Category

Aircraft Carrier Documentary Part 2 of 3

Saturday, July 31st, 2010


This documentary feature the Aircraft Carrier operations, the people and the way of life in the City of Steel..”The Aircraft Carrier” I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE THIS… i’ll be glad to read your comments and ratings..

Why are some aircraft engines position differently?

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

The common ones are under the wings, just curious. Why do some big airlines such as b717 position it at the rear?

Does it improves the airplane’s performance? .. What’s the main difference (in terms of aircraft performance, if any) for the 2 very different positions?

Clear Skies – No Aircraft Contrails in the Future?

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

 

Contrails or vapour trails are visible trails of condensed water vapour made by the exhaust of aircraft engines. As the hot exhaust gases cool in the surrounding air they may precipitate a cloud of microscopic water droplets. If the air is cold enough, this trail will comprise tiny ice crystals.

 

The main products of hydrocarbon fuel combustion are carbon dioxide and water vapour. At high altitudes this water vapour emerges into a cold environment, and the local increase in water vapour can push the water content of the air past saturation point. The vapour then condenses into tiny water droplets and/or deposits into ice. These millions of tiny water droplets and/or ice crystals form the vapour trail or contrails.

 

The grounding of aircrafts for three days in the United States after September 11, 2001 provided a rare opportunity for scientists to study the effects of contrails on climate forcing. Measurements showed that without contrails, the local diurnal temperature range (difference of day and night temperatures) was about 1 degree Celsius higher than immediately before; however, it has also been suggested that this was due to unusually clear weather during the period.

 

Vapour trails or contrails, by affecting the Earth’s radiation balance, act as a radiative forcing. Studies have found that vapour trails or contrails trap outgoing longwave radiation emitted by the Earth and atmosphere (positive radiative forcing) at a greater rate than they reflect incoming solar radiation (negative radiative forcing).

 

Dissipation of contrails with a powerful microwave beam aligned behind aircraft engines is being touted as a possible solution to help address air transport’s effects on the climate.

 

It is believed that ice particles could be prevented from forming, or be evaporated once formed, by remotely heating them, together with condensation nuclei such as soot in the exhaust plume.

 

The remote heating of condensation nuclei could be achieved by applying electromagnetic radiation, such as microwaves. Depending on assumptions made, calculation shows that the power required for such a device could be as little as 0.1% of the aircraft engine power.

 

With theoretically low energy requirements and associated weight penalty, existing aircraft could possibly be retrofitted and new aircraft equipped with this technology.

 

Could this be the end of blue skies, full of aircraft contrails? What do you think?

 

 

visit vikingo.com.gt for more information on me and a lot of aviation contents

Over the Front – original aircraft footage (b&w, silent)

Friday, July 30th, 2010


It features original footage of aircraft from the First World War being prepared for take off and in flight. This was used as reference material for the video produced by Peter Jackson for the film, light and sound show for the Over the Front exhibit at the Australian War Memorial. This video is played in between the audio visual shows of Over the Front: the Great War in the air. For further information see: www.awm.gov.au

Requirements for Aircraft Avionics Maintenance

Friday, July 30th, 2010

For an aircraft to function properly, all instruments must be in working order. Working as an aircraft technician or mechanic can be a very difficult job. For certification, it is necessary to join a school that teaches avionics. It is required that the person be a graduate from a college or school with a two or four year program. They also may take part in the opportunity for an apprenticeship program that extends over approximately four years. On-the-job training is a must before you can step foot on an aircraft to do repair work.

On the electrical side, completion of an electronic technician program and a few years of on-the-job-training may lead to a position as an electrical mechanic or technician. It’s their responsibility to ensure the proper operation of all equipment and instruments before an aircraft takes flight.

Technicians and mechanics make sure the pilots crew and passengers are safe. They have to be very thorough with every single thing they do. A problem can take several iterations of testing to be replaced or corrected. Every aspect should be completed correctly. For some intermittent problems, one will need to go to an expert with lots of experience to make a proper judgment on where the trouble really is.

Taking shortcuts isn’t an option for a technician. If a corner is cut anywhere, the aircraft’s safety is endangered. They will risk the grumbling from others over safety any day, even if it means the plane has to leave late. Sometimes, it could possibly mean grounding the aircraft if it is determined that an instrument needs replacing.

The technicians can often be found in a repair facility or assembly area. It is dependant on when the job needs to me completed. Technicians and mechanics perform best in the evenings. This is due to the fact that heaviest air traffic is during the day.

In order to minimize chances of serious injury, technicians must wear safety equipment. It is necessary to squeeze their way into some extremely small areas when checking for maintenance and repairs on aircraft. The job is tailored for someone who has attention to details. Everything has to be examined, from the first to the last piece.

Above all else, airplanes must be fully examined without overlooking any elements. Leaving aircraft instruments not repaired is not a choice. The safety of a lot of people is dependent on this.

James Bunter is an avid aviator and mechanic but for aircraft avionics he goes to the experts at TGH Aviation supply for transceivers, airspeeds, altimeters and other aircraft instrument needs. They have all the aircraft instrument supplies you will need and are the go to guys for avionics suppliers or reconditioned avionics.