Silicone rubber.  An elastomeric material made from silicone elastomers. Silicone rubber is compatible with fluids that attack other natural or synthetic rubbers. 

Single-acting actuator.  A linear hydraulic or pneumatic actuator that uses fluid power for movement in one direction and a spring force for its return. 

Single-action hand pump.  A hand-operated fluid pump that moves fluid only during one stroke of the pump handle. One stroke pulls the fluid into the pump and the other forces the fluid out. 

Single-disk brakes.  Aircraft brakes in which a single steel disk rotates with the wheel between two brake-lining blocks. When the brake is applied, the disk is clamped tightly between the lining blocks, and the friction slows the aircraft. 

Single-servo brakes.  Brakes that uses the momentum of the aircraft rolling forward to help apply the brakes by wedging the brake shoe against the brake drum. 

Sintered metal. A porous material made by fusing powdered metal under heat and pressure. 

Skydrol hydraulic fluid. The registered trade name for a synthetic, nonflammable, phosphate ester-base hydraulic fluid used in modern high-temperature hydraulic systems. 

Slat.  A secondary control on an aircraft that allows it to fly at a high angle of attack without stalling. A slat is a section of leading edge of wing mounted on curved tracks that move into and out of the wing on rollers. 

Slip roll former.  A shop tool used to form large radius curves on sheet metal. 

Slippage mark.  A paint mark extending across the edge of an aircraft wheel onto a tube-type tire. When this mark is broken, it indicates the tire has slipped on the wheel, and there is a good reason to believe the tube has been damaged. 

Slipstream area. For the purpose of rib stitch spacing, the slipstream area is considered to be the diameter of the propeller plus one wing rib on each side. 

Slot (aerodynamic device).  A fixed, nozzle-like opening near the leading edge of an airplane wing ahead of the aileron. A slot acts as a duct to force high-energy air down on the upper surface of the wing when the airplane is flying at a high angle of attack. The slot, which is located ahead of the aileron, causes the inboard portion of the wing to stall first, allowing the aileron to remain effective throughout the stall. 

Slow-blow fuse.  An electrical fuse that allows a large amount of current to flow for a short length of time but melts to open the circuit if more than its rated current flows for a longer period. 

Smoke detector. A device that warns the flight crew of the presence of smoke in cargo and/or baggage compartments. Some smoke detectors are of the visual type, others are photoelectric or ionization devices. 

Snubber. A device in a hydraulic or pneumatic component that absorbs shock and/or vibration. A snubber is installed in the line to a hydraulic pressure gauge to prevent the pointer fluctuating. 

Softwood. Wood from a tree that bears cones and has needles rather than leaves. 

Soldering.  A method of thermally joining metal parts with a molten nonferrous alloy that melts at a temperature below 800 °F. The molten alloy is pulled up between close-fitting parts by capillary action. When the alloy cools and hardens, it forms a strong, leak-proof connection. 

Solenoid.  An electrical component using a small amount of current flowing through a coil to produce a magnetic force that pulls an iron core into the center of the coil. The core may be attached to a set of heavy-duty electrical contacts, or it may be used to move a valve or other mechanical device. 

Solidity (helicopter rotor characteristic).  The solidity of a helicopter rotor system is the ratio of the total blade area to the disc area. 

Solution heat treatment.  A type of heat treatment in which the metal is heated in a furnace until it has a uniform temperature throughout. It is then removed and quenched in cold water. When the metal is hot, the alloying elements enter into a solid solution with the base metal to become part of its basic structure. When the metal is quenched, these elements are locked into place. 

Sonic venturi.  A sonic venturi in a line between a turbine engine or turbocharger and a pressurization system. When the air flowing through the sonic venturi reaches the speed of sound, a shock wave forms across the throat of the sonic venturi and limits the flow. A sonic venturi is also called a flow limiter. 

Specific heat.  The number of BTUs of heat energy needed to change the temperature of one pound of a substance 1 °F. 

Speed brakes.  A secondary control of an airplane that produces drag without causing a change in the pitch attitude of the airplane. Speed brakes allow an airplane to make a steep descent without building up excessive forward airspeed. 

