Aircraft Familiarization

Question 1

Lift

Answer 1

the upward acting force

Question 2

Weight (gravity)

Answer 2

the downward acting force

Question 3

Thrust

Answer 3

the forward acting force.

Question 4

Drag

Answer 4

the air resistance or backward acting force

Question 5

Fuselage

Answer 5

The fuselage, or body, is a rigid structure on which the aircraft components, e.g., wing, tail, engine, etc., are mounted

Question 6

Nose

Answer 6

The nose is the forward section of an aircraft. It includes the flightdeck where the captain andfirst officer sit.

Question 7

Nacelle

Answer 7

The nacelle is the protective covering surrounding the aircraft engine.

Question 8

Aileron

Answer 8

The aileron is a hinged portion on the trailing edge of the wing. It raises and lowers to control the rolling motion of the aircraft.

Question 9

Flaps

Answer 9

The flaps are the hinged portion of the wing located on the trailing edges. They cover the section of the wing from the fuselage to the aileron. They provide additional lift to compensate for the slower air speeds associated with landing.

Question 10

Elevators

Answer 10

Elevators are moveable control surfaces hinged to the horizontal stabilizer, which control pitch or position of the nose of the aircraft relative to the horizon.

Question 11

Rudder

Answer 11

The rudder is located on the tail section of the aircraft. The rudder controls the left to right movement.

Question 12

Horizontal and vertical stabilizer

Answer 12

The horizontal and vertical stabilizer, located in the tail section, contributes to the aircraft’s stability. The horizontal stabilizer can be adjusted to align the aircraft’s flight path angle according to existing wind conditions. When load and speed conditions vary, it may be necessary to adjust the horizontal stabilizers. Additional control exists from the vertical stabilizers.

Question 13

Landing gear

Answer 13

The landing gear is the understructure which is made up of the nose and main gears. Retractable gear folds up into the aircraft in flight.

Question 14

Gear pins

Answer 14

Gear pins are placed in the nose and main gear of an aircraft that requires maintenance or that is being towed. This is a safety measure to prevent a landing gear from collapsing while the aircraft is being towed.

Question 15

Empennag or Tail section

Answer 15

The empennage, or more commonly referred to as the tail section, consists of the rudder, various tabs, vertical and horizontal stabilizer, and elevator.

Question 16

Control tabs

Answer 16

Control tabs are located on the elevator and rudder. They aid the pilot in flight by decreasing control forces, i.e., the air stream resistance that resists control tab movement.

Question 17

Slats

Answer 17

Slats, located on the forward edge of the wing, are usually found on jet aircraft. They give the aircraft additional lift on takeoff for short runways and help reduce airspeed for landing.

Question 18

Pitch

Answer 18

The nose of the aircraft moves up or down in respect to the horizon, climb, or descent.

Question 19

Roll

Answer 19

The motion of the aircraft when one wing moves up and the other moves down, bank, or turn.

Question 20

Yaw

Answer 20

When the nose of the aircraft moves side to side.