ASAP Parts 360 Blog

seal types and installation methods

Aircraft seals are essential to prevent fluid buildup and to keep the system clear of air and dirt. Each seal or seal type is unique to each installation. The reasons for this include different pressure rates, the type of fluid used, the type of metal used, and the type of motion the system does.

There are 3 classifications of seals; packings, gaskets, and wipers. Hydraulic seals will either be called packings if they are used internally on moving equipment or gaskets if they are used on stationary equipment. The different type of packing seals and gaskets we will cover in this article will be V-rings, U-rings, O-rings, and backup rings.

V-Ring packings are one-way seals open “V” facing the pressure. After installation, V-rings must have a male and female adapter to secure them in place. Along with this, it is necessary to torque the seal to the amount indicated in the CMM or else it will not perform to the standards it should.

U-Ring packings and U-cup packings are used in brake assembly and master cylinders. For this ring the seals pressure can only operate in one direction, so it is critical to face the lip of the packing toward the pressure. The U-ring and cup are low pressure packings, operating below 1,000 psi.

The O-ring is the most common form of packings and gaskets on aircrafts. Circular with a truly round, small cross-section, the O-ring packing is able to seal in both directions. The O-ring is very versatile. It was originally created under the Air Force-Navy and used with fluids operating at temperatures all the way from -65 degrees Fahrenheit to +160 degrees Fahrenheit. The newest models of the O-ring can operate at temperatures up to +275 degrees Fahrenheit. Under Military Standard specifications, newer models are being designed and tested to withstand low-temperature performance without compromising the high-temperature values.

Backup rings can withstand the test of time, chemical interference, and extreme temperatures and pressures due to their Teflon exterior. Backup rings are interchangeable and can be switched between any Teflon ring with the same dimensions. For installation, backup rings should be placed below the O-rings to ensure proper functionality.

A gasket’s main purpose is to form a stationary seal between two surfaces. These are commonly made from asbestos, copper, cork, or rubber. Caution should be used when working with rubber sheeting and should not be mixed with gasoline or oil.

To help identify the many varieties of packings and gaskets, there is a color code system. Packings or gaskets that are capable to be used with Skydrol fluid are coded with a green stripe. Colors can also indicate fluid compatibility; red signifies fuel and blue signifies hydraulic fuel.

When installing O-rings, precautions should be taken with the tools being used or anything that may cause a scratch or damage to the component surface. Contact with the cylinder walls, piston heads, and related precision components is also not recommended. O-rings should be inspected for any defaults of defects. After inspection, O-rings should be cleaned in hydraulic fluid. Perform installation with care while avoiding twisting or excessive movement.

how to avoid aircraft data plate dismay

Just as a car requires a vehicle registration number and plate to be airworthy, an aircraft must feature a data plate. Issued by the aircraft manufacturer, aircraft data plates are not something that you want to replace. They are notoriously hard to come by and are attached to a string of FAA regulations.

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 14, part 45, Identification and Registration Markings, sets out all the FAA requirements concerning the legitimacy of aircraft data plates. There are a number of details that need to be included on the plate: the builder’s name, model designation, builder’s serial number, type of certificate number, and, if applicable, the engine rating must all be noted on the plate.

Typically, the data plate is set out with the required information heading on the left accompanied by a text box filled in with the aircraft specific data. Rather than a simple car registration plate where the registration number is centered, the data plate looks more like a filled-out metal form. The FAA also dictates the type of material that should be used to make the plates. As the data plate is required to be fireproof, durable, resistant to corrosion, and lightweight, there is little choice in terms of appropriate material. Metalphoto photosensitive anodized aluminum is a popular choice for data plates as the image is sealed beneath a sapphire-hard anodic layer. Data plates should be appropriately secured to the aircraft fuselage so that is legible to a person on the ground. It must also be adjacent to the rear-most entrance door or on the fuselage surface near the tail surfaces.

Many pilots and airlines despair at the thought of losing their aircraft’s data plate. Due to the various regulations surrounding data plates, it is difficult to source a new, legitimate plate for your aircraft. Aircraft manufacturers are hesitant to distribute plates as they are cautious of product liability exposure. Manufacturers also often go out of business, meaning that an aircraft owner has no choice but to look elsewhere for a replacement. Plates are therefore in high demand, leading to the proliferation of counterfeit plates. The FAA is not too helpful in light of this dilemma. Their official statement encourages the owners to purchase plates from an approved source, but first they must contact the local Flight Safety Standards District Office for approval and assistance.

It may seem like a resourceful idea to purchase an identical out of service aircraft and simply take the plate off and affix it to your new aircraft. Although sound in logic, this practice is warned against within the aviation world. The FAA has a strict policy concerning the removal and replacement of data plates. CFR 14 45.13 e specifies that no person can remove or install a plate that has been previously approved on another aircraft.

Data plates are essential to the airworthiness certification of an aircraft. If an aircraft has a missing, counterfeit, or switched plate, an FAA-appointed inspector will ground your aircraft, effective immediately.

5 most expensive fighter jets of all time

Since WWII, we have seen expansive advancements in military fighter jet design and technology across the globe. Fighter jets must have the capacity to keep up in dogfights and operate in air-to-air or air-to-ground strikes. As a result, fighter jet engineering has led to significant cost increases per aircraft. Most modern fighter jets cost between $65 to $250 million each— let’s take a look at the 5 most expensive.

F-117 Nighthawk; 107.7 Million

The Nighthawk has been retired since 2008, but it is still known as one of the stealthiest U.S. fighter jets from inception to operation. The design and build of this aircraft was top secret and was incredibly expensive even at the time of its first flight in 1982. It incorporated two F404-F1D2 turbofan engines from the General Electric Compnay, and had a top speed of around 700 mph.

Chengdu J-20 Black Eagle; $110 Million

This multi-role, strike fighter jet is a Chinese aircraft that took its maiden flight in 2017. It utilizes a twin-engine afterburning turbofan system. This fighter jet can reach max speeds of 1350 mph and is the 5th generation of its family.

F-35B Lightning II; $121.8 Million

Known for its vertical landing capabilities, this aircraft also has the capacity for shorter take-offs. It is an aircraft intended for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, and has a top speed of 1200 mph. The F-35B has two unique features that set it apart from the rest of the aircraft on this list: it has an engine that can swivel 90 degrees, and a Rolls Royce LiftFan propulsion system.

F-35C Lightning II; $122.8 Million

The Lightning II is a carrier aircraft that is widely recognized for its versatility in air-to-air and air-to-ground strikes. As the 5th member of the F-35 family, it is the most expensive version. The Lightning II has a more robust landing gear assembly design, and longer wings than any of its predecessors. This aircraft can fly a max speed of 1200 mph. and is powered by one Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 turbofan engine.

F-22 Raptor; $152 Million

Ranking in as the most expensive air superiority fighter jet is the F-22 Raptor. This aircraft is known for its maneuverability and super cruise capabilities. It has two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines with afterburners and two-dimensional thrust nozzles, allowing it to reach a top speed of 1500 mph. The F-22 Raptor is a 5th generation aircraft and took its maiden flight in 2005. Each aircraft is intended for 3 to 4 decades of use, making it a considerable investment, despite its hefty upfront price.

the journey of aero commander aircraft

            Commercial aviation began booming after WWII and there was a network of flights, but Ted Smith— who worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company during the war— noticed a void in the market. There was a need for business aircraft and aircraft that flew to locations rarely visited by the airlines. He wanted to build an aircraft that could meet this demand and simultaneously offer convenience, safety, and dependability. The first step in doing this was to assemble a team of 14 engineers; and together, they designed the first Aero Commander, but now is a part of Twin Commander Aircraft, LLC.

            The first prototype took flight in April 1948 and was certified in June 1950. The Aero Commander had impeccable safety standards and was the only aircraft of its kind at the time. To prove its safety and reliability, the company completed a flight from Oklahoma City to Washington DC in May 1951; it was loaded to full gross weight and had one of the aircraft propellers was removed from the engine. This flight was a hit and the backlog for the aircraft began to fill. The first production Aero Commander rolled off of the assembly line in August 1951. It was a piston-powered model 520. The Aero Commander went through a series of improvements over the following decades and was known for its impeccable safety and groundbreaking performance.

            In 1955, the United States Air Force ordered 15 Aero Commanders and it was the first light twin-engine aircraft deemed safe enough for the President to fly in— so two of them were designated to the White House. The Aero Commander evolved over a few decades and the last plane in this series ended production in 1986. This plane was the model 1000— the most advanced version of the Aero Commander. This aircraft can fly at a maximum cruising speed of 308 knots, has a maximum range of 2,080 nautical miles, and can fly at these maximums with 482 gallons of fuel.

which aircraft are used most by airlines?

Since its founding in 1916, The Boeing Company has become the world’s largest aerospace corporation. So, it’s no surprise that some of the most commonly used airplanes for major airlines are Boeing aircraft. Among the many aircraft that Boeing has to offer, the 747, 777, and 737 have been a few of the most popular. Their popularity is due to three factors— efficiency, reliability, and capacity.

The 747 was designed to carry more passengers and cargo when commercial aviation started booming. It introduced the twin-aisle wide-body design and was the first commercial use of the high bypass turbofan engine. In June 2014, Boeing delivered its 1,500th 747 and became the first wide-body airplane in production to cross this threshold. Some of the different variants of the 747 that are used for commercial aviation are the 747-100, 747SP, 747-200, 747-300, 747-400, and the 747-8. Although many airlines are phasing out the ageing 747, cargo carriers are still seeking them out, and the 747-8 will still be in production into the 2020s. The 747-8 is also Air Force One’s preferred aircraft.

The 777s passenger capacity, long range, and fuel efficiency make it a suitable option for international flights. It is the first commercial aircraft entirely designed with a computer and is one of the most aerodynamically advanced aircraft. Boeing currently manufactures the 777-300ER, 777-200LR, 777-200ER, and the 777F— each varying in weight capacity and range. The 777x is currently being manufactured and will be the largest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet in the world. It is also introducing folding wingtips, a norm in military aviation, into commercial aviation.

The 737 was intended for short to medium range flight distances, but different models increased capacity and it has since become the most popular jet aircraft. Some of the series that Boeing produces are the 737-600, 737-700, 737-800, and the 737-900ER. The 737 MAX was designed to offer the best flexibility, reliability, and efficiency in the single-aisle market. The 737 has an increased range, payload, and takeoff performance; it also has reduced noise, engine maintenance costs, and fuel consumption. It is the fastest selling airplane in Boeing’s history.

Another commercial aircraft manufacturer that has been popular among airlines has been Airbus. Specifically, the A320 family and A380. Airbus is the largest aerospace company in Europe. The A320 is the longest-range single-aisle aircraft and is the world’s best-selling aircraft of all time. There are four sizes in the A320 family: the A318, A319, A320, and the A321. They are versatile and can fly to airports in hot deserts, urban environments, and Antarctic runways. Over the years, the A320 family has become more efficient. This is due to the use of composite primary structures, center-of-gravity control using fuel, glass cockpit (EFIS) and a two-crew flight deck. The A380 has a double-deck, wide body design. It is the world’s largest and most spacious passenger aircraft and is utilized by airlines all around the world. Unfortunately, due to lack of demand, Airbus has decided to stop production of the A380 in February 2019.