3 Main Stages Involved In Attaching Engines To Aircraft

Many different components work together in an aircraft to ensure maximum flight safety, performance, and efficiency. The engine, being the central component, is attached to the aircraft after factoring in numerous variables. 

In this article, you will learn about the three main stages involved in attaching engines to the aircraft and how a professional aviation company, like Acorn Welding, completes this process efficiently and safely. So, keep reading to learn all about it. 

Stage 1 – Placing The Engines In Pods 

The first step involved in attaching engines to aircraft involves placing the engines in pods. It provides numerous advantages to the entire design and flight performance of the aircraft:

• The pods are designed in a way that they have enhanced aerodynamics to improve the overall efficiency of the plane.
• It is possible to attach the pods in different spots of the planes, such as under the wings or on the fuselage or tail. Hence, pods provide significant flexibility when it comes to engine placement.
• Engines located in pods are easy to access, so aviation welding technicians can easily get to the engines for their repair and maintenance procedures.
• Quick repair and maintenance of the engines mean the downtime and maintenance cost of the aircraft is also reduced.
• Pods can be a great tool to reduce noise emissions from the engine.
• The safety of the aircraft can be maximized by attaching the pods away from the fuselage.

Once the engines are placed within suitable pods, the next step is to attach the engine to a pylon. 

Stage 2 – Attach The Engine To Pylon

A podded engine is attached to a pylon to use in the aircraft. The exact design of the attachment is different for every plane, but the main principles of this type of attachment remain the same. 

This process should always be handled by experienced aviation welding technicians who have the best type of welding equipment and strong manufacturing capabilities to take care of these highly technical procedures in the best way possible. Using a suitably sized pylon is important to create a significant distance between the wing and the engine for maximum safety. 

You might be wondering why the engines are not incorporated into the wings directly. Let’s explore these reasons:

• The aircraft wing is meant to provide a lift to the overall design. If the structure and design are disturbed, aircraft safety can be compromised to a great extent.
• The engines are very heavy. Adding them to the wings can increase the weight of the aircraft on one side and cause a great imbalance in weight distribution.
• Engine repair and maintenance will get difficult if engines are located in the wings.
• The engine located in the wing will produce a lot of noise and make the passengers highly uncomfortable.
• Engine failure can compromise the entire wing structure and cause the plane to crash.
• It is important to keep the engines cool, and it is only possible by placing them away from the wings.

Stage 3 – Connect The Engine Pod To The Pylon

Once the engines are podded, and the pylon is attached, the final stage is to connect the engine pod to the pylon. Professional aviation welding technicians consider many different factors during this stage to ensure maximum engine performance and safety. 

It primarily involves choosing the right type of bolts to connect the engine pod to the pylon. The following are the factors involved in this process:

• The load capacity of the bolts plays a direct role in their efficiency. The bolts must be strong enough to support the entire weight of the engine and extra weight that can be placed on the pylon.
• The bolts must be made of strong materials that can withstand high temperatures, vibrations, and extreme weather conditions.
• The bolts have to be of suitable size as per the holes of the engine pod and the pylon.

Other than these general requirements, professional aviation welding technicians also ensure the maximum efficiency of the bolts by using the best welding practices. They make sure that the bolts are tightened by applying the right amount of torque to make sure a secure connection is established between the engine pod and the pylon. 

The exact specification of the attachment is dependent on the specific plane model. Generally, the engine pods are attached at the top of the turbine frame and fan frame. Since special attention is paid to using strong and high-quality bolts, two points of engine attachments are typically enough. 

This entire attachment is made in a way that enhances the flight safety and performance of the aircraft. The structure is made strong and durable enough to withstand both expected and unexpected forces that can affect an aircraft and flight safety. 

Conclusion

These are the three general stages involved in attaching engines to aircraft. The exact process, stages, and steps can greatly vary depending on the type, size, and complexity of the aircraft. Professional aviation welding technicians have plenty of experience in handling such complex aircraft components, so they can attach engines to aircraft with maximum accuracy.