- Industry: Aviation
- Number of terms: 16387
- Number of blossaries: 0
- Company Profile:
Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA) develops and markets aviation supplies, software, and books for pilots, flight instructors, flight engineers, airline professionals, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, aviation technicians and enthusiasts. Established in 1947, ASA also provides ...
An instrument used to measure the amount of horsepower an engine or motor is delivering to its output shaft. The engine is operated at a specified RPM, and a brake is applied to its output shaft. The amount of torque applied to the brake is measured, and this, with the RPM, is converted into brake horsepower.
Dynamometers have replaced prony brakes for measuring brake horsepower.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the amount of moisture in the air to determine its humidity.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the amount of water vapor in the air. Two thermometers are used to measure the air temperature. One thermometer has a cloth wick around its sensitive end, and this wick is dipped in water and air is blown across it.
The difference in temperature shown on the wet-bulb thermometer and the dry-bulb thermometer is an indication of the amount of cooling done by the evaporating water. The amount of cooling is inversely proportional to the amount of water vapor in the air.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the attitude of an aircraft relative to the horizontal. An inclinometer is usually made of a curved glass tube, partially filled with a clear liquid and holding a black glass ball. The curved tube is mounted in line with either the lateral or longitudinal axis of the aircraft, so the ball is in the center when the aircraft is level. When the aircraft tilts, the ball remains at the low point of the tube and shows the number of degrees the aircraft is tilted.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the depth of a hole or groove. The measuring scale protrudes from the center of a flat blade. The blade is laid across the top of the hole or groove, and the measuring scale is pushed to the bottom. The amount the scale sticks out of the blade is the depth of the hole or groove.
Depth gages are used to measure the depth of the tread on aircraft tires.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the humidity of the air. The sensitive element in a hair hygrometer is a bundle of human hair held under a slight tension by a spring. The length of the hair expands or contracts as the humidity in the air changes. This change in length moves a pointer over a calibrated scale.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the relative humidity of the air. A sling psychrometer consists of two mercury thermometers mounted on a frame with a handle that allows it to be slung around, so air moves across the thermometers. The bulb of one thermometer is covered with a cloth wick saturated with water. As the air blows over it, the water evaporates and lowers the temperature.
A chart showing the dry-bulb temperature and the difference between the wet-bulb and dry-bulb temperatures is used to find the relative humidity, in percentage, for these conditions.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the rotational speed of an object. Tachometers are usually calibrated in revolutions per minute, RPM, or percentage of the maximum rated RPM.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the specific gravity of a liquid. A float-type hydrometer consists of a specially weighted float with a graduated stem above the weight. The specific gravity, or density, of the liquid determines the amount the float sinks, and the number on the stem even with the surface of the liquid is the specific gravity of the liquid.
Industry:Aviation
An instrument used to measure the speed in revolutions per minute of the crankshaft of an aircraft reciprocating engine. A chronometric tachometer repeatedly counts the number of revolutions in a given period of time and displays the average speed on its dial.
Industry:Aviation
