Aeronautics

Aeronautics

The branch of science that deals with flight aerodynamics and with the operation of all types of aircraft.

Contributors in Aeronautics

Aeronautics

A stack of metal bellows used as a reference for measuring atmospheric pressure. These bellows, made of circularly corrugated bronze disks, have nearly all the air pumped out of them. The pressure of ...

Combustor drain valve

Aviation; Aeronautics

A spring-loaded valve in the bottom of the combustor outer case to drain fuel from the combustor after an aborted start. The combustor drain valve is spring-loaded to its open position, and burner ...

Detent

Aviation; Aeronautics

A spring-loaded pin or tab that enters a hole or groove when the device to which it is attached is in a certain position. Detents are used on fuel selector valves to provide a positive means of ...

Alligator clip

Aviation; Aeronautics

A spring-type clip used on the end of an electrical wire to make temporary connexions in an electrical circuit. An alligator clip has long, narrow, spring-loaded jaws with meshing teeth.

Off-the-shelf item

Aviation; Aeronautics

A standard production item. An off-the-shelf computer program, for example, is a standard programme that can be bought and used, rather than having a custom programme written.