Electricity powers a large portion of modern devices, and aircraft are no exception. From lighting and communication to navigation and environmental control, aircraft systems rely heavily on electrical energy. Some modern aircraft designs have even eliminated control cables entirely, using fully electrically actuated flight controls. As an aircraft maintenance technician, you will encounter electrical systems every day, making a solid understanding of electricity essential.
This section introduces the fundamental concepts that form the building blocks for advanced electrical knowledge and practical troubleshooting. Questions we will explore include: How does energy flow through a copper wire or through space? What is electric current and electromotive force? How does a landing light illuminate, or a hydraulic pump motor operate? Understanding these phenomena requires a step-by-step approach, starting with basic principles and gradually building toward more complex concepts.
To understand electrical current, we first need to examine the nature of matter. All matter is made up of molecules, which are composed of atoms. Atoms themselves consist of electrons, protons, and neutrons—the foundation of all electrical theory.
CONTENTS
- General Composition of Matter
- Static Electricity
- Magnetism
- Types of Magnets
- Electromagnetism
- Resistance of a Conductor
- Power and Energy
- Types of Resistors
- Circuit Protection Devices
- Generator Principles
- Capacitance
- AC Electrical Test Instruments in Aviation
- Batteries
- Nickel-Cadmium and Lithium Ion Batteries
- Rectifiers
- Introduction to Transistors
- Amplifier Circuits
- DC Generator Maintenance
- AC Motors
- Alternators
- Hydraulic Transmission