“Known traffic” (air traffic control). When used as part of an ATC clearance, this means aircraft whose altitude, position, and intentions are known to ATC.
knuckle pin (radial engine component). A short, high-strength, polished steel pin that connects a link rod in a radial engine to the master rod. A radial engine has only one throw on the crankshaft for each row of cylinders. Only one connecting rod (the master rod) goes around the throw of the crankshaft and connects one piston to the crankshaft.
The pistons in the other cylinders are connected to the master rod by link rods (articulated rods), and the link rods are connected to the master rod with knuckle pins.
knurl. A type of finish used on the handle of some metal tools to keep the handle from slipping in your hands. Knurling is done by pressing a special tool against the handle while it is being turned in a lathe.
Kollsman window. The barometric scale window of a sensitive altimeter. See barometric scale.
Koroseal lacing. A plastic lacing material that is available in round or rectangular cross sections and is used for holding wire bundles and tubing together. It holds tension on knots indefinitely and is impervious to petroleum products.
kraft paper. A tough brown wrapping paper, like that used for paper bags.
Krueger flaps (aircraft flight control). A form of leading-edge flap used on the wings of some high-performance airplanes. When a Krueger flap is retracted into the wing, the leading edge has the shape that allows efficient high-speed flight.
When the airplane is prepared for landing or takeoff, the Krueger flaps are extended, and they deflect the airflow into the trailing-edge flaps. The combination of leading-edge and trailing-edge flaps allows the airplane wing to develop its needed lift at the lowest possible airspeed.
krypton. A colorless, odorless, tasteless, inert, gaseous chemical element. Krypton’s symbol is Kr, its atomic number is 36, and its atomic weight is 83.80. Krypton is used to fill fluorescent lamps.
L
LAAS (low altitude alert system). An automated function of the ground radar that alerts the controller when a Mode C transponder-equipped aircraft on an IFR flight plan is below a predetermined minimum safe altitude.
labyrinth seal. A type of air and/or oil seal used around the main-shaft bearings in a gas turbine engine. The seal consists of a series of rotating blades that almost contact the seal land. A small amount of air flows between the seal and the land and prevents oil flowing past the seal.
lacing cord (aircraft fabric covering material). A strong cotton, linen, or synthetic fiber string used to lace fabric to an aircraft structure.
Lacing cord is also called rib-stitching cord.
lacquer (finishing material). A material used to decorate and protect a surface. Lacquer is made of a film base, solvents, plasticizers, and thinners. The film base forms a tough film over the surface when it dries. The solvents dissolve the film base so it can be applied as a liquid. The plasticizers give the film base the needed resilience, and the thinners dilute the lacquer so it can be applied with a spray gun.
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