Limitless Purchasing Blog

In the aviation industry, electrical systems are vital to the operation of countless aircraft, providing power to everything from essential flight controls to passenger comfort systems. A key aspect of these systems is the relay panel, which ensures that power is distributed reliably and where it is needed. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the role of relay panels in aircraft, exploring their functions, design, and placement.

Hinges are a fundamental component in various mechanisms, enabling doors, gates, cabinets, and other objects to pivot smoothly. The types of hinges available on the market are diverse, each one being designed to serve specific functions and applications. In this blog, we will cover some of the different types of hinges and their uses to aid you in selecting the right hinge for a particular project, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Rivet guns are indispensable tools in metalworking applications, providing a secure and durable means of fastening materials together in an assembly. These versatile tools come in various types, each designed for specific applications. This blog will delve into the five common types of rivet guns, shedding light on their unique features and optimal uses.

Jet engines, the powerful and versatile propulsion systems that have revolutionized the world of aviation, are a marvel of engineering and innovation. They play a pivotal role in modern transportation, ranging in use from commercial airliners to military aircraft. In this blog, we will explore the different types of jet engines on the market and delve into the fascinating realm of their operations.

First introduced in the early 1950s, jet aircraft have since revolutionized the way we travel by air, offering unparalleled speed and efficiency. Unlike their propeller-driven counterparts, these aircraft rely on jet engines to propel them through the skies. Nevertheless, propeller aircraft are still very popular in modern aviation, though they have been superseded in various applications. In this blog post, we will explore the fundamentals of jet aircraft, compare them to propeller aircraft, and delve into the emerging realm of electric aircraft.

Capacitors can be considered a staple of many electronic devices, serving a crucial role in overall functionality despite being such a small and simple item. Put simply, capacitors are electrical components capable of storing electrical energy within an electric field, acting as a passive component situated between two terminals. With this ability, known as “capacitance,” capacitors may perform a number of operations to benefit a diverse set of electrical applications. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of capacitors, allowing you to have a better grasp on their use and design.

When air is required for a particular system or application, it is common to use a device such as an air compressor or air pump. While each device has its own distinct role and method of operations, one unfamiliar with such equipment may find themselves at a loss as to which is necessary for their particular needs. As such, we will discuss the structure, application, and maintenance of air compressors and pumps, ensuring that you have a good idea of when and where each may be used.

Fuel cells are modern devices that can provide heat and electricity for buildings as well as electrical power for electronic devices and vehicles, such as aircraft. Similar to a battery, they convert the chemical energy of a fuel into electricity through electromechanical reactions. However, whereas a battery will run down and need to be recharged, fuel cells continually produce electricity and heat for as long as fuel is supplied. Typically, a fuel cell consists of a matching pair of electrodes (anode and cathode) that are separated by an electrolyte. The anode is the electrode at which oxidation, or loss of electrons, takes place, whereas the cathode is the electrode at which reduction, or the gain of electrons, occurs in a fuel cell. When a flow of fuel (e.g. hydrogen) and an oxidizer (typically oxygen) are delivered by the electrodes, it results in a chemical reaction that produces electricity, water, and a small amount of heat. This fuel can come in the form of hydrogen gas or be obtained from a hydrogen source such as liquid methanol (wood alcohol), which is renewable and can be transported more easily than hydrogen gas.

As fasteners are used to create secure holds across a myriad of industries, it is important to understand that not all fastening components are created equal. With applications ranging from aviation to manufacturing, and much more, fasteners are available in a vast array of designs with slightly different functions. Although some fasteners may be used on their own, others should be used in tandem with a washer for optimal performance. Washers are disc-shaped parts intended to be used with nuts and bolts, screws, and other fasteners that can pass through the washer’s central hole. For your better knowledge, this blog will examine a particular type of washer known as a spring washer and its unique characteristics.

When you are looking to ensure the smooth operations of your lubricated systems, you might be in need of an oil seal. Serving the dual function of trapping lubricants in and keeping dirt out of rolling components, oil seals are important part types in aircraft as well as across a myriad of industries. Depending on your unique needs, oil seals are available in a wide variety of materials, sizes, and configurations. As such, this blog will offer an overview of the many types of oil seals, their functions, and their most common applications.

If you are flying your aircraft behind another aircraft, you are at risk of experiencing wake turbulence caused by the chaotic movement of air following the plane in front. As planes travel through the atmosphere, their wing shapes and engines generate vortices and jet wash respectively, both of which cause irregular movement of air. If one aircraft is too close to another, it may travel through these irregular air patterns before they have time to dissipate. This leads the rear of the aircraft to experience turbulence in the wake of the aircraft in the front. For your safety and better knowledge, this blog will cover the causes of wake turbulence and how to avoid it depending on your aircraft’s weight and flight path.

In the modern era of aviation, aircraft can take advantage of a number of engine types, each of which differ in their design, functions, and capability. While early aircraft regularly took advantage of simplistic piston engines for their power generation, many larger and more powerful planes now rely on the turbine engine. Also known as a gas turbine, the turbine engine is an internal combustion engine that has revolutionary flight capability with the power and propulsion it can provide. In this blog, we will discuss the turbine engine in more detail, allowing you to get a better understanding of how they work and what common types are available on the market.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, nearly 25% of all fatal aviation accidents occur due to dangerous maneuvering attempts made by pilots during aircraft stalling scenarios. Such statistics call for the implementation of adequate safety components on aircraft with consideration of the angles of attack that cause stalls for supplementing existing stall warning mechanisms. 

After flying aircraft for years, pilots get quite accustomed to the noise in the cockpit. In fact, depending on the aircraft they are flying, pilots may even feel that the noise is negligible or not that loud. However, according to one of the safety brochures, the FAA Hearing and Noise in Aviation, the sound levels in a single-engine cockpit can go up to 90 decibels. If you are a pilot, you already know how important it is to protect your ears from this noise, as exposure to such high noise can cause permanent hearing loss. The best way to protect your ears from this sustained exposure is by wearing a high-quality pilot headset.

Pressure altitude and density altitude are two terms that often confuse rookie pilots, but understanding them is no easy feat. Nonetheless, familiarizing yourself with the differences between each can help you better understand the forces acting on your aircraft. While an experienced pilot can readily explain their distinctive features, for those that need clarification, this blog will provide a brief overview of pressure altitude and density altitude.

Painting an aircraft is a complex job and has many steps that must be carefully worked through. Planes are usually painted every seven to ten years, and the process of painting an aircraft takes almost a few weeks. Depending on the type of paint used, there may be a need to apply a base coat or clear coat. If the painting job is done incorrectly, it can be hazardous for aircraft performance. As a result, it is very important that one has a basic understanding of the painting process and how to properly execute it.

In the modern day, most people are familiar with aircraft and what they are. If one was asked to list all the essential things an airplane has, their answer would most likely include the engine, wings, landing gear, etc.Despite this, not many would consider airplane lighting to be a critical item included on their list. Additionally, it may not even have struck some that airplane lighting can be an essential item,  as an airplane has to be designed as per its needs.

Carbureted engines have long been the most popular engine type used on personal and small utility aircraft. This is due to their simple design, reliability, and enhanced fuel-efficiency. Unique to the carbureted engine, however, is the need to alter the amount of fuel entering the engine's combustion chamber as altitude changes. In this blog, we will discuss how carbureted engines function, why there is a variable fuel requirement, and how the engine's design allows pilots to regulate the fuel mixture.

Engine fires are extremely hazardous during flight, often posing various safety risks that makes mitigating the chance of such occurrences paramount. Engine fires can often occur from a variety of issues, the most common being a result of over-priming the engine. While engine fires can occur throughout the year if certain issues occur, the most common time for them to happen is during the fall season. While this can be surprising due to the cold conditions that the season brings, it is important that fliers are well aware of why hazards increase during the fall, and how to prevent dangerous fires.

The cowling of an aircraft engine is the structure’s removable covering, primarily used for drag reduction and increased cooling. During a standard flight, only around 15-30% of total ram airflow colliding with the engine nacelle will actually enter the structure for cooling. As such, the rest of the ram airflow remains outside of the cowling and cannot be optimally used. To improve upon this, the engine cowl will need to be faired in such a way that air may flow across the cowl with low energy loss.

Operating and caring for a privately owned aircraft can be a complex job, requiring one to be on top of maintenance schedules, pilot certifications or the management of a crew, knowing the standard procedures of various landing destinations, and much more. While many of these things require extensive knowledge or experience, there are many smaller factors that can play into ensuring safe and efficient operations. In this blog, we will discuss some of the main things that all owners should keep in their aircraft that can make flight much easier throughout different conditions.

Oil breathers are a necessary accessory for aircraft, commonly applied to a reciprocating internal combustion engine to prevent pressure from building within the crankcase. Contributed through heat generated by an engine rising to a temperature hot enough to vaporize oil, oil breathers are constructed to vent any hot air created within the system. Following the rising nature of hot air, oil breathers are affixed to the top of an engine for this reason. Accompanied by breather ventilation tubes, these components are often redirected to the bottom of your vehicle's engine cowling for optimal ventilation of excess heat. Within this blog, we will discuss the primary necessities of oil breathers, their necessary parts, and conditions to be wary of.

While many automobiles have the capability to easily reverse their direction as needed, aircraft are actually devoid of the reverse gear necessary to conduct such operations. In general, the only time in which an aircraft will need to move backward is when they are pulled from the gate of an airport. Despite some aircraft being capable of moving backward on their own through the use of reverse thrust devices, such methods are not optimal and all reverse movement is typically provided by aircraft tugs.

If you are a pilot or mechanic, standard engine malfunctions within carburetor and fuel-injected systems can be a common occurrence when attempting to start your aircraft; that can be especially said for individuals still learning how to fly. Improperly starting an aircraft engine, even if unintentional, can cause long-term damage further down the line. Frequent mistakes often made by a pilot when starting an engine include over-priming, engine flooding, multiple engine start attempts, attempting to start a cold-soaked engine, and using too much throttle when starting the vehicle. Within this blog, to better understand why start-up issues occur and how to best prevent them, we will go over common mistakes made by pilots and how precautionary measures can be taken to help mitigate further concerns.

Aircraft fuel systems are complex setups that can vary greatly in aircraft of differing types and sizes. Nevertheless, the basic parts of the fuel system are the same in any aircraft. These are the tanks, cells, lines, valves, filtering units, and pumps. In this blog, we will focus on three of these parts: the fuel tanks, fuel cells, and fuel lines, providing an overview of each component and how they relate to each other.

As the oxygen density and air pressure of high-altitude air are both too low for the well-being of individuals, a majority of aircraft utilize pressurization systems in order to manage cabin air. While pressurization systems may differ in their part makeup depending on the aircraft and its characteristics, many will utilize similar methods such as using engine bleed air, valves, and control systems for pressure management. As aircraft pressurization is crucial for the safety and health of pilots, crew members, and passengers alike, it can be very beneficial to understand how they function throughout the course of a flight.

Each part of an aircraft has a different but equally important role in ensuring the aircraft’s ability to safely and smoothly fly. In this blog, we will discuss the seven main components of an aircraft: the fuselage, cockpit, wings, tail (empennage), engines, propeller, and landing gear.

The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) is a device that is capable of capturing and storing data pertaining to aircraft performance. While aviation accidents are exceedingly rare, analyzing the data and information from a downed aircraft can ensure that safety is improved and such incidents are avoided in the future. As technology has progressed, many aircraft have also benefited from the addition of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), that of which records pilot communication. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the Flight Data Recorder, allowing you to understand how it functions and how aerospace investigators use the data stored on such devices to improve flight safety.