NSN 360 Blog

An airplane cabin window consists of three panes: an outer pane that sits flush with the outside fuselage, an inner pane which has a noticeable small hole in it, and a thinner, non structural plastic pane called a scratch pane. This means that passengers are not able to touch the inner or outer panes, but are able to interact with the scratch pane. While these three panes are all quite different in their roles, they are all made of a material called “stretched acrylic,” a substance that is stronger and more lightweight than glass. More specifically, it provides better resistance to cracking and impact, making it an excellent option for use in aviation.

Temperatures at typical commercial cruising altitude can reach far below freezing in the winter months and generally stay below 60 degrees Fahrenheit on average, even in the summer. As such, in combination with pressurization, aircraft insulation materials are used to help keep the cabin warm. Located in the space between the interior walk and aircraft fuselage, insulation blankets help trap in heat for greater efficiency and comfort. In this article, we discuss why these materials are a mandatory part of commercial aviation.

The choice of which connector to use for operations in need of data and power transfer can be challenging. Of the two basic design choices, rectangular or circular, both offer wide ranges of versatility and many benefits across various applications. Both circular and rectangular connectors can be custom ordered and specified for the number of contacts, contact diameter, shell size, configurations, and more. However, circular connectors boast unique advantages over rectangular connectors for specific applications and environments, those of which we will cover in the following blog.

Airplane tails are designed to stabilize and control the aircraft in upward and downward movements with regard to pitch and side-by-side movements with regard to yaw. They are available in various arrangements in terms of the horizontal and vertical stabilizing surfaces at the rear part of an aircraft. In some contexts, the tail is often referred to as an empennage or stabilizer, with “stabilizer” being the preferred term because it is more aligned with the component’s function.

Whether one is assembling a piece of furniture or a large aircraft, fasteners of various types will be used to join parts together in a temporary or permanent fashion. Rivets are a particular type of mechanical fastener that can serve both light and heavy-duty applications, making them quite versatile. Generally, they can handle tensile and shear loads, and they are known for their simple installation and high reliability. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most common types of rivets that one may come across, ensuring that you are aware of your options and which applications they each best serve.

As a highly relied-upon brand, Gulfstream Aerospace is currently flying high with success in the business of jet manufacturing. Around the world, Gulfstream’s high-performance jets hold consumer appeal for a variety of reasons. There are many factors that contribute to a jet manufacturing company capturing attention on the global market, and this blog will cover five of the major tactics that keep Gulfstream relevant and in-demand.

Air compressors are one of the most commonly used appliances in construction sites, serving as power sources for countless electric tools. There are varying types of air compressors, each of which have their own unique capabilities, advantages, disadvantages, and features. As such, this blog will cover the 4 principle types of air compressors, their uses, and how they work.

A pressure gauge is an instrument used to measure and monitor the pressure of fluids to make sure that the liquid or gas is at the desired pressure limit. When the pressure of a gas or liquid inside an instrument is too high, it can damage equipment or even cause an explosion, so it is vital to monitor pressure. Pressure gauges let off alarms when pressure levels exceed what they should be in order to alert the operator of the equipment. Operating aircraft requires monitoring pressure levels, such as those within the engine group and the flight group, for safe flights. Pressure measurements within aircraft depend on Bourdon tubes, diaphragms, and solid-state sensing devices.

Modern aircraft are equipped with either a hydraulic or pneumatic system to control and power certain elements, such as the braking system, alternators, starters, and emergency devices. While hydraulics have predominated the market as of late, there are still many airplanes that implement pneumatic systems. In this blog, we will discuss the function and various components of pneumatic systems in aviation.

Fasteners are important components for any assembly, serving to join parts together with ample security. To ensure that certain fasteners perform well with optimally distributed loads, protection from vibration, equal spacing, and other advantageous characteristics, components known as washers are regularly used. While often simplistic in their design and appearance, washers often make the difference between a rigorous assembly and one destined to fail.