Chapter 2 - Aircraft Construction

Question 1

What part of the aircraft is the ‘Empennage’?

Answer 1

• The Tail Section of the aircraft.
• Attached by 3-4 Lugs and pins.
• Relatively weak point of structure.

Question 2

Riverting

Answer 2

Used to connect metal to metal.

Flush rivets used on areas where aerodynamics matter.

Question 3

Welding

Answer 3

Fused together by heat

Question 4

Bolting

Answer 4

Temporary fixture of structure.

These come loose due to vibrations in flight.

Question 5

What is ‘Wire Locking’

Answer 5

Placing a wire through bolts to stop them unscrewing from vibrations.

Question 6

Pinning

Answer 6

Using fasteners to attach one structure to another.

Engines are pinned into the wings - Allows them to disconnect during crash.

NEED TO BE MAINTAINED.

Question 7

Adhesives

Answer 7

Used to join structures.
Needs time to harden.
Used alongside rivets.

Question 8

What is used to fix ‘Composites’ to a structure?

Answer 8

Fasteners.

Composite panels cannot be riveted through as it would destroy the structure.

Question 9

Monocoque Construction

Answer 9

All resistance is carried through the skin.
No internal support or framework.
Purely just a shell.

Question 10

Semi-Monocoque

Answer 10

Similar to Monocoque
Uses Stringer and Longerons to strengthen it.
Firewalls added to the aircraft to prevent fast fire spread.

Question 11

Stringers

Answer 11

Frame to Frame structure enforcements.
Bonded to the skin.

Helps to withstand buckling.

Question 12

Longerons

Answer 12

Similar to Stringers, but move through the structural (frames) supports.

Helps to withstand bending.

Question 13

Firewalls

Answer 13

Fire resistant bulkheads installed between engine compartments and rest of the airframe structure.

Question 14

What is a ‘Machined structure’?

Answer 14

A pre-made single piece of material.

Reduces the amount of rivets needed to attach it - saving weight.

Question 15

What is a ‘Wet Wing’?

Answer 15

A wing with fuel flowing through it.

Walls are ‘water proofed’.

Question 16

Components of an Airbus?

Answer 16

4 Shells

• 1 Crown
• 2 Side Shells
• 1 Bottom Shell

Question 17

Pressurisation on a rectangular frame doesn’t work because…

Answer 17

It has corners which take up pressure and will easily break over time.

Question 18

Normal Maximum PSI for Pressurised Hull?

Answer 18

8-9PSI

Question 19

Hoop Stress

Answer 19

Acts radially across the whole fuselage.

Wants to expand.

Question 20

Axial Stress

Answer 20

Acts along Longitudinal Axis.

Question 21

Types of Wing Design?

Answer 21

• Cantilever (Only attached at wing route)
• Semi-Cantilever (C-150 braces)
• Externally Braced (Biplane)

Question 22

Torsion Box

Answer 22

The arrangement of a box for added structural support.

Question 23

Centre Wing Box

Answer 23

Provides attachment point for the wings.

Sits on top of the Keel Beam.

Question 24

Strut Braces

Answer 24

Engine Pylon

Hold the engine load.
Key structural component.
Held on using Fuse Pin.

Breaks off during crash to avoid scooping.

Question 25

Where is the ‘dry area’ usually located on the wing?

Answer 25

Above the engines to avoid explosion if engine shoots parts out.

Question 26

Wing Ribs

Answer 26

Provide aerodynamic shape to the wing.

Question 27

Wing spar

Answer 27

Main span wise structure, handles bending and supports wings while static.

Question 28

Attachment point for flaps and ailerons?

Answer 28

Front and rear facing Wing Box.