Aviation Basics - Aero Guide

Aircraft Electrical and Electronics Fundamentals

Electricity and electronics are fundamental to modern aircraft systems, powering essential components such as instruments, lighting, communication equipment, and control systems. Understanding the basic principles of electricity is essential for aviation maintenance technicians to safely maintain and troubleshoot these systems. Electrical theory explains how electrons move through conductors, how voltage, current, and resistance interact, and … Read more

Mechanically-Expanded Rivets

Two classes of mechanically-expanded rivets are discussed here: Self-Plugging Rivets (Friction Lock) The self-plugging (friction lock) blind rivets are manufactured by several companies. The same general basic information about their fabrication, composition, uses, selection, installation, inspection, and removal procedures apply to all of them. Self-plugging (friction lock) rivets are fabricated in two parts: a rivet … Read more

Introduction to Transistors

The transistor is a three-terminal device primarily used to amplify signals and control current within a circuit. [Figure 1] The basic two-junction semiconductor must have one type of region sandwiched between two of the other type. The three regions in a transistor are the collector (C), which is moderately doped, the emitter (E), which is … Read more

Aircraft Rectifiers

Many devices in an aircraft require high amperage, low voltage DC for operation. This power may be furnished by DC engine-driven generators, motor generator sets, vacuum tube rectifiers, or dry disk or solid-state rectifiers. In aircraft with AC systems, a special DC generator is not desirable since it would be necessary for the engine accessory … Read more

Generator Principles

After the discovery that an electric current flowing through a conductor creates a magnetic field around the conductor, there was considerable scientific speculation about whether a magnetic field could create a current flow in a conductor. In 1831, Faraday discovered that this could be accomplished. To show how an electric current can be created by … Read more

Fastener Torque

Torque As the speed of an aircraft increases, each structural member becomes more highly stressed. It is therefore extremely important that each member carry no more and no less than the load for which it was designed. To distribute the loads safely throughout a structure, it is necessary that proper torque be applied to all … Read more

AC Motors in Aircraft

Because of their advantages, many types of aircraft motors are designed to operate on alternating current. In general, AC motors are less expensive than comparable DC motors. In many instances, AC motors do not use brushes and commutators so sparking at the brushes is avoided. AC motors are reliable and require little maintenance. They are … Read more

Aircraft Rivets

Sheets of metal must be fastened together to form the aircraft structure, and this is usually done with solid aluminum-alloy rivets. A rivet is a metal pin with a formed head on one end when the rivet is manufactured. The shank of the rivet is inserted into a drilled hole, and its shank is then … Read more

Alternators in Aviation

Basic Alternators & Classifications An electrical generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction. A generator that produces alternating current is referred to as an AC generator and, through combination of the words “alternating” and “generator,” the word “alternator” has come into widespread use. In some areas, the word … Read more

Installation and Safetying of Nuts, Washers, and Bolts

Installation of Nuts, Washers, & Bolts Bolt & Hole Sizes Slight clearances in bolt holes are permissible wherever bolts are used in tension and are not subject to reversal of load. A few of the applications in which clearance of holes may be permitted are in pulley brackets, conduit boxes, lining trim, and miscellaneous supports … Read more