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October 17, 2022

Despite being an essential component of an aircraft, engine mounts are often overlooked and underrated. After all, who cares about a web of metals that seem to serve no purpose or bears no apparent significance? This modest component doesn't seem like a particularly sophisticated mechanical marvel. Nonetheless, it is essential to an aircraft's correct operation.

Surprisingly, this seemingly fragile component is sturdy enough to balance the engine's weight according to different torque prerequisites. Besides serving the primary function of holding the engine to the airframe, it also plays a vital role in suppressing an engine's vibrations and disseminating them fairly to the whole aircraft body. As we speak, engine vibration is a significant problem in aviation today. Thus, a well-installed engine mount is the reason why you are able to enjoy a smooth and quiver-free flight with no disturbances.

Read Also: Different Types Of Aircraft Engine Mounts And Features To Look For

While aircraft enthusiasts spend a generous amount of time learning safe flight techniques and basic aircraft maintenance, they devote very little time to understanding the adverse impacts of faulty or incorrectly installed aircraft engine mounts. For this reason, we believe that as Edmonton’s most reputed aviation welding technicians, we must educate aircraft fanatics about the little things they often neglect and regard as trivial.

In order to attain this goal, this blog post discusses the most crucial things about aircraft engine mounts that you, as an aircraft owner, must give serious and careful thought to.

Aircraft Engine Mounts Need Support

An aircraft engine mount is undoubtedly constructed from highly durable and sturdy metals and polymers. However, if you set up the engine mount on a weak stringer, the former will do more harm than good. That is, instead of minimizing vibrations, the risk of potential transmission failures will be heightened.

Not only will such a misalignment lead to premature damage of numerous internal components, but it will also make the plane unsafe for flights. It is important to remember that an aircraft is not like your average car. While your vehicle may excuse you for slight misalignments in its internal components, minor negligence may prove fatal in the case of aircraft. After all, you can not abruptly stop in mid-air to check the unusual behaviour of your aircraft.

To avoid such problems, ensure that your engine mount has adequate support. If the stringer appears to be weak, build a solid bracket to minimize flexing and potential transmission failure.

Postponed Repair Or Replacements Jeopardize Flight Safety

Undeniably, parts like the engine and aircraft exhaust are crucial for flight safety. But this does not mean the rest of the components are unimportant and do not require the same amount of attention. You must understand that an engine mount holds the engine in its place. Thus, you must realize that it bears massive beating from the rough operations of the engine.

Resultantly, an engine mount requires a fair amount of maintenance, repairs, and timely replacements. Due to the tremendous pressure, an engine mount withstands, corrosion, cracks, and dents are common occurrences. Although an engine mount’s lifespan is relatively similar to the whole aircraft, some tubes and polymer components may need early replacements.

Therefore, you must repair and replace your engine mount when needed. Never postpone these crucial tasks. A failed engine mount can jeopardize flight safety.

Parallel Installation Is Imperative

Correct engine mount installation can save you from poor performance, premature failure, tube fractures, poor load distribution, etc. In this regard, you must never forget that you must install an engine mount parallel to the engine crankshaft centerline.

Rust Does Not Only Occur On The Surface Of The Tubes

Regarding mount failure, another critical thing to remember is that rust and corrosion are metallic components’ biggest enemies. While regular inspection can help reveal surface corrosion, unveiling internal rust and corrosion is incredibly challenging. By internal, we mean the corrosion within the tube's interior. Evidently, you cannot see whether a tube is rusted from the inside by simply looking at it.

Nonetheless, this kind of deterioration may take you by surprise and lead to severe damage to the engine as a result of sudden mount failure. Hence, the only way to avoid such occurrences is by having an aviation welding technician regularly inspect it.

Keep An Eye On The Polymer

Last but not least, the deterioration of the metallic tubes on an engine mount are not the only thing you should worry about. In fact, the subparts made of polymer are more susceptible to damage due to heat, pressure, and age. Therefore, keep an eye on these too.

About Acorn Welding

Through a solid commitment to quality and provision of top-notch aviation welding services, we have become one of the top-rated aviation companies in Canada and worldwide. Learn more about Acorn Welding and our journey to success.

Need high-quality aircraft parts? Contact us now.