AOG Unlimited Blog

The attitude indicator within an aircraft is an important instrument for flight, allowing for the pilot to remain aware of the aircraft’s orientation in relation to Earth’s horizon. Conveying rotation about the longitudinal axis and lateral axis for indicating the degree of banks and pitches respectively, attitude indicators ensure safety and the ability to maintain a set flight path. The attitude indicator relies on the rigidity characteristics of its attitude gyro, that of which is gimballed for the means of allowing rotation along lateral and longitudinal axes. Once powered, the indicator will maintain a fixed position for use.

Used to display an input signal in either an analog or digital form, panel meters come in a variety of models and measurement types to suit your desired implementation needs. Often manufactured with an alarm to alert an engineer of measurements exceeding a predetermined threshold, it is mandatory for meters to remain in working order to prevent part failure or a potentially hazardous accident. As such, specialized equipment that allows panel meter data to be transferred to a computer for future reference and analysis can also be applied. Necessary for determining what measurements are currently being relayed throughout a system, they are built to read, input, and display signals. Without the use of such tools, various power systems, voltage transformers, actuators, and other devices can be negatively impacted. As they share a similar range in variable measurement capabilities, we will discuss the differences between digital and panel meters, their components, and why they are important for electrical applications.

Electricity has radically changed how humans live, defining how many of us spend our time at home, working, and more. While highly beneficial, electricity is also a volatile force that can be dangerous if not managed properly. Safety devices are electrical equipment that are highly beneficial for electrical distribution, often implemented to ensure that faults and overload conditions are prevented from flowing freely through a power system. By stopping the flow of a fault, such equipment can mitigate damage to electrical devices, components, and individuals. The switchgear is a common part of an electrical power system, consisting of disconnect switches, fuses, circuit breaker equipment, and more. Such apparatuses are important for de-energizing equipment, isolating zones for work or for clearing faults.

Frequently disregarded just like a less glamorous piece of any airplane, floor boards or the floor panels of an aircraft have a significant, though often undermined or forgotten role on any aircraft. They are an essential part of the airplane structure, as their use and implementation ensures the general wellbeing of an airplane during ordinary activities, crisis arrivals and fast decompression occasions. Modern aircraft floor panels also incorporate an added usefulness that can benefit the plane’s conductivity and lodge setup adaptability.

Aircraft derive power for their electrical and hydraulic systems from their engines while in flight. But when on the ground, with its engines cold and inactive, an aircraft can still require electrical power for things like maintenance and pre-flight preparations. This is where ground power units come into play. A ground power unit is a type of GSE, or ground support equipment, which refers to all pieces of equipment and machinery used to support aircraft while they are not in flight. Ground power units are used to power up unpowered aircraft while they are still on the runway, an airfield, or anywhere on the ground, similar to how maritime electricity or coastline power sources are used for boats and ships at dock. GPUs are critical ground handling and aircraft assistance machines, because they allow airport handlers and personnel to service aircraft without needing to turn on the aircraft’s engines. This saves on both maintenance and fuel costs that come with running an aircraft’s engines.