Aerospace

What is Fly-by-wire system ? how it reduced aircraft maintenance

It’s a proven truth that since the 1950s, and particularly over the last three decades, our sector has made major advancements in safety, and technology has played a big role in ensuring that the safety records of the whole aviation industry have greatly improved.

In this article, we discuss a few of the technological advancements that have significantly enhanced the safety of our goods. Fly-by-wire will be discussed first.

Fly-by-wire flight control systems are those that use computers to process the pilot or autopilot’s inputs for flight control and then send the relevant electrical signals to the actuation on the flight control surface. Direct mechanical linking is being replaced by this technology.

Courtesy : Airbus

Fly-by-wire has a number of benefits, including the possibility to save weight by doing away with cables, pulleys, and rods, as well as increased safety, durability, and manoeuvrability.

Since the first Airbus A320, which debuted in 1988, and the most recent models of competing aircraft, including the B777, B787, and Embraer E-jets, fly-by-wire technology has been a standard feature on every Airbus aircraft, including the A220.

The aircraft that have been used but since, known as the fourth-generation aircraft, have collected more than 30 years of in-service time. A fleet of more than 14,500 operational aircraft represented more than 200 million cumulative flights as of the end of 2021, which is a solid statistical base. The safety and effectiveness of aircraft operations have been greatly enhanced by fly-by-wire.

For more information, please visit our history section.

Courtesy : Airbus

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.