Thread started: Jan 26 2012, 2:16 AM EST
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The parts of an airplane or other machine that flies, like a helicopter or space craft, are referred to as aerostructures . The term aero structures might seem like a futuristic, sci-fi reference, but it is actually all the parts that enable an aircraft to fly instead of fall out of the sky. For example, the fuselage, wings, landing gear, flight control surfaces, and the frames for all the individual parts are each considered an aerostructure. These parts are in huge demand, given the commercial and military needs for replacement parts and new production parts. While some large scale aircraft manufacturers make their own parts, most draw from aerostructure manufacturing companies.
Keeping planes working in the absolute best condition possible is a high priority for commercial airlines and for military applications. Therefore, companies that manufacture aero structures are always needed for replacement of parts that are wearing out or breaking. Aerostructure manufacturers must keep testing standards and procedures stringent to avoid disasters on a large scale. Testing for aerostructures is usually performed on a universal testing machine. The tests run on the universal tester include compression, impact, tensile, flexure, fatigue, and post-impact compression. High quality of materials and production are necessary not only to keep people safe in the aircraft, but also for the manufacturing company to stay in business.
If the aerostructures can deemed unsound after installed in the aircraft, it is a huge hit to the financial statements of the manufacturer. A plane crash that is the result of the failure of aero structures can destroy a manufacturing company. The highest profit margin in the manufacturing of aircraft parts comes when a company gains government contracts for airplane or helicopter parts. Governments tend to pay high prices and set longer contract terms than private aircraft companies and commercial airlines do.
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