Aircraft Construction

Question 1

What is the primary function of an aircraft electrical system?

Answer 1

To generate, regulate, and distribute electrical power throughout the aircraft.

Question 2

What are the different power sources on
aircraft to power the aircraft electrical systems?

Answer 2

These power sources include: engine-driven alternating current
(AC) generators, auxiliary power units (APUs), and external power

Question 3

How long does airworthiness certificate remains valid?

Answer 3

As long as the required maintenance and inspections are kept up to date for the aircraft.

Question 4

What is Thrust?

Answer 4

Thrust is the forward force produced by the powerplant/ propeller. It opposes or overcomes the force of drag. it is said to act parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Question 5

What is Drag?

Answer 5

Drag is a rearward, retarding force and is caused by disruption of airflow by the wing, fuselage, and other protruding objects. Drag opposes thrust and acts rearward parallel to the relative wind.

Question 6

What is Weight?

Answer 6

Weight is the combined load of the aircraft itself, the crew,
the fuel, and the cargo or baggage.

Question 7

What is Lift?

Answer 7

Lift opposes the downward force of weight, is produced by the dynamic effect of the air acting on the wing, and acts perpendicular to the flight path through the wing’s center of lift (CL).

Question 8

What is the Fuselage?

Answer 8

The fuselage is the central body of an airplane and is designed to accommodate the crew, passengers, and cargo. It also provides the structural connection for the wings and tail assembly.

Question 9

What is Semi-cantilever wing structure?

Answer 9

the wing struts are usually attached approximately halfway out on the wing,
this type of wing structure is called semi-cantilever.

Question 10

What are Ailerons?

Answer 10

Ailerons extend from about the midpoint of each wing
outward toward the tip, and move in opposite directions to create aerodynamic forces that cause the airplane to roll.

Question 11

What are Flaps?

Answer 11

Flaps extend outward from the fuselage to near the midpoint of each wing. When extended, the flaps move simultaneously downward to increase the lifting force of the wing for takeoffs and landings.

Question 12

What’s the Empennage?

Answer 12

The empennage includes the entire tail group and consists
of fixed surfaces, such as the vertical stabilizer and the
horizontal stabilizer. The movable surfaces include the
rudder, the elevator, and one or more trim tabs.

Question 13

What is the Rudder and where is it located?

Answer 13

The rudder is attached to the back of the vertical stabilizer.
During flight, it is used to move the airplane’s nose left
and right.

Question 14

What’s the Elevator and where is it located?

Answer 14

The elevator, which is attached to the back of the
horizontal stabilizer, is used to move the nose of the airplane up and down during flight.

Question 15

What are Trim Tabs?

Answer 15

Trim tabs are small, movable portions of the trailing edge of the control surface. These
movable trim tabs, which are controlled from the flight deck, reduce control pressures. Trim tabs may be installed on the ailerons, the rudder, and/or the elevator.

Question 16

What is the Powerplant?

Answer 16

The powerplant usually includes both the engine and the propeller.

Question 17

What is the primary function of the engine?

Answer 17

The primary function of the engine is to provide the power to turn the propeller. It also generates electrical
power, provides a vacuum source for some flight instruments, and in most single-engine airplanes, provides a source of heat for the pilot and passengers.

Question 18

What is the engine covered by? and what is it’s purpose?

Answer 18

The engine is covered by a cowling, or a nacelle, which are both types of covered housing. The purpose of the cowling or nacelle is to streamline the flow of air around the engine and to help cool the engine by ducting air around the cylinders

Question 19

What does the propeller do?

Answer 19

The propeller, mounted on the front of the engine, translates the rotating force of the engine into thrust, a forward acting force that helps move the airplane through the air.
A high-pressure area is formed at the back of the
propeller’s airfoil, and low pressure is produced at the face of the propeller, similar to the way lift is generated by an airfoil used as a lifting surface or wing. This pressure differential
develops thrust from the propeller, which in turn pulls the airplane forward.

Question 20

What is the amount of lift being produced by the propeller is directly related to?

Answer 20

The amount of lift being produced by the propeller is directly related to the AOA, which is the angle at which the relative wind meets
the blade. The AOA continuously changes during the flight depending upon the direction of the aircraft.

Question 21

What is pitch?

Answer 21

The pitch is defined as the distance a propeller would travel in one revolution if it were turning in a solid.

Question 22

What are the subcomponents of an airplane?

Answer 22

The subcomponents of an airplane include the airframe, electrical system, flight controls, and brakes.

Question 23

What are the flight controls and what do they do?

Answer 23

The flight controls are the devices and systems that govern the attitude of an aircraft and, as a result, the flight path followed by the aircraft

Question 24

What does airplane brakes consists of?

Answer 24

most modern airplanes, airplane brakes consist
of multiple pads (called caliper pads) that are hydraulically squeezed toward each other with a rotating disk (called a
rotor) between them. The pads place pressure on the rotor which is turning with the wheels. As a result of the increased friction on the rotor, the wheels inherently slow down and stop turning.

Question 25

What are the advantages of the use of composites in airplane construction?

Answer 25

A more important advantage is that a very smooth, compound curved, aerodynamic structure made from composites reduces drag.
2. help mask the radar signature of “stealth” aircraft designs, such as the B-2 and the F-22.
3. Lack of corrosion is a third advantage of composites
4. Another advantage of composites is their good performance in a flexing environment, such as in helicopter rotor blades. Composites do not suffer from metal fatigue and crack growth as do metals.

Question 26

Disadvantages on the use of composites in airplane construction?

Answer 26

1. the lack of visual proof of damage. Composites respond differently from other structural materials to impact, and there is often no obvious sign of damage.
2. a low energy impact, such as a bump or a tool drop, may not leave any visible sign of the impact on the surface. Underneath the impact site there may be extensive delaminations, spreading in a cone-shaped area from the impact location. The damage on the backside of the structure can be significant and extensive, but it may be hidden from view.
3. chemical paint strippers are very harmful to composites
   and must not be used on them.
   4.

Question 27

What 3 categories do instrumentation fall into?

Answer 27

Instrumentation falls into three different categories: performance, control, and navigation.
1. The performance instruments indicate the aircraft’s actual performance. Performance is determined by reference to the altimeter, airspeed or vertical speed indicator (VSI), heading indicator, and turn-and-slip indicator. The performance instruments directly reflect the performance the aircraft is achieving.
2. The control instruments display immediate attitude and power changes and are calibrated to permit adjustments in precise increments.
3. The navigation instruments indicate the position of the aircraft in relation to a selected navigation facility or fix. - The navigation instruments indicate the position of the aircraft in relation to a selected navigation facility or fix.

Question 28

GPS receiver must be…

Answer 28

A GPS receiver must be locked onto the signal of at least three satellites to calculate a two-dimensional position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the user’s three-dimensional position (latitude, longitude, and altitude).