Purchasing Efficiency Blog

When an aircraft is transporting individuals over long distances, it is important that passengers have access to facilities such as lavatories and aircraft galleys for the means of providing a comfortable experience for all. In order for passengers and crew members to take advantage of the restrooms, coffee and tea makers, sinks, and other facilities and equipment of an aircraft, water must be managed and supplied to each. In this blog, we will discuss the water and waste system of aircraft, allowing you to better understand how potable water is supplied to facilities and how wastewater is removed and stored during a flight operation.

Controlling the pressure rating is often important in ensuring a system can function properly. The required pressure rating of different systems will vary based on the system type and the industry or application it is used in. For example, the pressure requirements of an aircraft will differ greatly from those of an automobile engine. To maintain pressure, many systems use a pressure gauge, which can be set to and maintain a desired pressure. In this blog, we will discuss the six most common types of pressure gauges.

If you’ve been on an airplane and were lucky enough to get a window seat, you have probably looked at the window and asked yourself a few questions about it. For example, you may have wondered how aircraft windows work, what they are made of, and what that small hole at the window’s base is. In this blog, we will answer all three of those questions.

When operating an aircraft in a storm, rain can present a great obstruction that mitigates a pilot’s ability to fly through visual means. When taxiing on the airway, taking off, or landing, having clear visuals from the cockpit is crucial for safety so as to avoid any collisions. As a result, various rain-removal systems are put in place to remove fluids from the windshield, and each type presents its various advantages and drawbacks. In general, the most commonly used types of rain removal systems include windshield wipers, chemical rain repellent, hydrophobic seal coatings, and pneumatic rain removal systems.

For the individuals who have worked in or with physics or the science behind movement, particularly that of various kinds of fans, there is no mistaking the distinction between the terms propeller and impeller. Ask a novice however what the difference is and they will tell you many different answers. While they are similar and though sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, there are many important distinctions that you need to know if you want to use them efficiently and properly.

Obstruction lighting is an important aid in ensuring the safe flight of aviators around the world. You’ve almost certainly noticed it before, but you may not have given it a second thought. Obstruction lighting refers to the lighting atop tall buildings and structures that allows operators to see them from a distance. They are used at night and serve as an important collision avoidance measure. Towers, skyscrapers, bridges, hills, and even chimneys or antennas are all objects that could be considered aviation obstruction. Obstruction lighting is critical in illuminating these objects and creating a safe environment for flight.

Aircraft spacers are used to guide wires, keep conflicting wires separated and hold wiring bundles in place. Wire organization is key in aircraft assembly to avoid electrical system malfunction and ensure the longevity of installed wiring. These spacers can be tubing, shafts, piping, or part fitters and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Their shape can be hinged, hexagonal, cylindrical or flat and some materials used in their manufacturing include steel, aluminum, brass and synthetic materials such as nylon, rubber and plastic. 

Within aircraft, there are a multitude of systems that utilize hoses. Hoses can be installed for fuel lines, hydraulic systems, brakes, oil coolers, and more. Flexible aircraft hoses in particular are important in situations where parts may be subjected to vibration or the hose system needs a lot of flexibility. In this blog, we will discuss some of the important considerations and steps that should be taken into account when purchasing and installing a flexible aircraft hose.

When you’re dealing with complex, highly-engineered, and expensive aircraft, it is important that every single piece does its job. From the engine down to the smallest fastener, each part has an important role to play. Bolts, a small but critical fastener in the construction of any aircraft, are no different. The stress of flight means that non-aviation grade hardware simply doesn’t do the trick. It has neither the strength nor the corrosion resistance to work effectively in flight. This has required aviation authorities to develop strenuous standards for aircraft bolts, as well as an exhaustive description and coding system.

The O-ring is a manufacturing component that has been around for over a century. Thanks to their design simplicity and practical nature, O-rings remain in widespread use to this day. Their function is as simple as their design, which serves to create a tight, leak-proof seal between two components. They are very similar to gaskets, although O-rings are normally used in higher-pressure environments where other seals parts would fail. O-rings work by sitting between two other pieces that will be connected. The O-ring lies in the connective joint between the two parts where, once under pressure, will shift around causing it to more tightly hold onto the inner and outer walls of the pieces it’s connecting.