Journeying to Skies Edge: Delving into the world of aircraft

 The fuel system is probably one of the most lack luster systems for people when you think about aircraft. Yet, it is also a crucial system that requires its due diligence and fundamental understanding of operation. A failure in the fuel system can cause many different issues. One I would like to address is that of biological contamination in an aircraft fuel tank. Being from the aviation community, I have seen on multiple occasions a very carefree attitude towards fuel contamination.  Contamination of a fuel tank can lead to multiple failures of systems as fuel drawn from that tank can cause breakdowns of materials in engine systems such as seals and filters. If not addressed soon enough contamination can lead to clogging of pipes, filters and fuel ports, ultimately causing engine failure and starvation. I have seen aircraft that are sitting for more intensive maintenance be improperly checked by maintenance personnel, one such instance led to a mold of some sort impacting a fuel tank

      Rain is something we deal with in our lives but generally dismiss. It gets your clothes wet, makes your car handle moist and cold, but other than its usually minor effects, goes ignored. In aviation it is a major concern as water can cause severe long-term damage to aircraft. Sometimes the damage can be sudden, as rain obscures a pilots surrounding view, but also, it can flameout an engine! The general trouble with rain comes from freezing temperatures as this can cause stalls, or, freeze aircraft structures leading to many other serious issues and situations.     What I really want to talk about regarding rain is moisture and corrosion. Water is an issue for aircraft as it causes corrosion. It also can cause other destructive problems, if an aircraft's fuselage isn't sealed properly, standing water in the plane can damage avionics, or if unnoticed, corrode internal structures. Corrosion has caused many fatal accidents in the aviation industry. One of which impacted me di

    This photo is from a detachment to Alaska that my squadron VP-1 went on. The things that go into an event like this are pretty substantial as it requires manning, logistics, qualifications, communication, and lots of money just to get to a destination. When it comes to so many moving parts ethics becomes so important, not just to ensure that supplies get where they need to through the proper channels but also when you consider the lives at stake.      That may seem like an over the top view to some but it is true. Take my job for example, as an avionics technician, I ensure that communication, navigation, weapon systems, electronic warfare suites, and more are all functional. Should I botch a job that could lead to systems shorting, not only potentially causing a fire but that could lead to navigational systems failing and very easily causing a crash. A fire in an aircraft is serious, it isn't like a car where you can just pull over and get out. Being honest about your work and