Airplane wire ropes are a type of aircraft cable that is used in aviation today in a variety of applications. They are collections of strands of metal (usually steel) wire formed in a rope structure and/or covered with traditional rope coverings like cloth or plastic coatings. Commonly aircraft wire ropes are used for equipment control, hoist crane guidance and control systems,and other applications where a strong, flexible and durable cable is needed.
The use of airplane wire ropes began in the early days of aviation, but with the development of new aircraft and new requirements for strength, flexibility and durability the industry has continued to develop new wire rope technologies located towards aircraft. With the advent of new fiber materials, the popularity of air wire ropes has diminished somewhat, but the addition of the various coatings and technologies has allowed them to still remain viable in many aviation applications.
Standards exist to define the construction, inspection and testing of aircraft cable to be used in an aircraft, and as such aircraft wire ropes must be manufactured to these specifications. In general, these ropes are inspected and tested for breaking strength both in dynamic and static load testing. The rope is also generally inspected for items such as diameter, length, strand count, twist angle, and more.
Airplane wire ropes are used in a variety of applications including cargo tie-down netting, hoist crane guidance and control systems, and aircraft control cables. Examples of aircraft control cables include push-pull cables found in passenger door controls, and control cables used in the control systems of various aircraft. Hoists and materials handling systems such as pallet lifts, cargo lifts and hoists also commonly use aircraft wire ropes for their strength and flexibility. The use of aircraft wire ropes for these applications is often preferred, as these cables are better able to withstand the wear and tear associated with the use of heavy equipment.
Modern aircraft cable utilizes a variety of technologies to provide even greater strength and flexibility. Strands may be made from a variety of materials, such as bronze, aluminum and stainless steel, as well as a variety of traditional metals. Coating applied to the wire rope after production also adds to the strength and longevity of the wire rope, and may include plastic, rubber and/or urethane coatings.
In addition to aviation applications, airplane wire ropes are also used in other industries such as military, commercial construction, and performance engineering. These wire ropes have excellent strength and flexibility and can be adapted to fit the needs of a wide range of engineering and military applications.
Today, airplane wire ropes are still commonly used in aircraft and aerospace applications. Their use allows for greater durability and flexibility, as well as improved performance, making them a valuable tool for aircraft engineers. With the continued development of these wire ropes and advancements in production technology, it is likely that wire ropes will continue to play a major role in the future of aviation.
