S Aircraft Construction

Question 1

3 main aircraft sub assemblies

Answer 1

Fuselage
Wings
Empennage

Question 2

5 attachment methods?

Answer 2

1. Riveting
2. Welding
3. Bolting
4. Pinning
5. Adhesives

Question 3

What is the name of a joint which connects 2 panels together using rivets?

Answer 3

Doubler joint

Question 4

What is a method of ensuring bolts do not come loose?

Answer 4

Wire locking

Question 5

Can composite materials be riveted?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

How do we attach composite materials?

Answer 6

Composite fastener

Question 7

What isa longeron?

Answer 7

Main longitudinal load bearing member of the fuselage

Question 8

What are stringers?

Answer 8

Run longitudinally, bonded to the skin, help withstand buckling

Question 9

What are formers/frames?

Answer 9

Define the shape and provide skin attachment points

Question 10

What doos the aircraft skin do?

Answer 10

Provides aerodynamic shape as well as withstanding tension and compression stresses

Question 11

What is a bulkhead?

Answer 11

Provide structural partitions inside the fuselage and give structural support

Question 12

What is a firewall?

Answer 12

Fire resistant bulkhead installed between engine compartment and the rest of the airframe structure

Question 13

What are intercostels?

Answer 13

When weaker areas around the windows and doors are reinforced with frames and stringers

Question 14

What is a machined structure?

Answer 14

A single piece of material effectively carved with components included in its shape, removing the need for joints

Question 15

Why are most fuselage sections circular?

Answer 15

Eliminating corners helps ensure laminar flow

Circular cross section can more easily withstand loads imposed by pressurisation

Question 16

What is a double bubble structure?

Answer 16

Intersecting circles tied together by the fuselage floor

Question 17

What shape are unpressurised aircraft?

Answer 17

Don’t have to be circular, can vary more widely

Question 18

3 advantages of an oval fuselage?

Answer 18

• Lower manufacturing cost
• Greater capacity
• Better options for cargo

Question 19

Where is the pressure hull located?

Answer 19

Between the forward and rear pressure bulkheads

Question 20

What is the pressure bulkhead pressurised to?

Answer 20

Between 8 and 9psi

Question 21

What is axial stress?

Answer 21

Stress acting along the longitudinal axis

Question 22

What is hoop stress?

Answer 22

Stress that acts radially across the fuselage structure

Question 23

When do axial and hoop stresses occur?

Answer 23

Cyclic stresses - every time the cabin is pressurised

Question 24

What are 3 types of wing design?

Answer 24

Cantilever
Semi-cantilever
Externally braced

Question 25

What are the 2 types of wing?

Answer 25

• Low wing

- High wing

Question 26

What is the key disadvantage of a high wing?

Answer 26

Reduced visibility into the turns when banking

Question 27

Where does a spar run from?

Answer 27

Root to tip

Question 28

Where do ribs run from?

Answer 28

Leading edge to trailing edge

Question 29

What do stringers do?

Answer 29

Combine with ribs to share loads and transfer loads to spars

Question 30

What is the centre wing box?

Answer 30

Part of the fuselage which provides the attachment points for the wings

Question 31

What is the wing box?

Answer 31

Main structural component of the wing

Question 32

What does the wing box house?

Answer 32

Mounting points to support hinge points and actuators for control surfaces

Question 33

How is the vertical stabiliser attached to the aircraft?

Answer 33

3 or 4 lugs and pins

Question 34

What can cause catastrophic vertical stabiliser failure?

Answer 34

Excessive application/deflection of the rudder

Question 35

The advantage and disadvantage of a T tail?

Answer 35

• Predictable flight characteristics

- Prone to deep stall

Question 36

What does the pylon do?

Answer 36

Attaches the engine to the wing

Question 37

How are weight/thrust forces carried?

Answer 37

Strut braces

Question 38

What is a fuse pin?

Answer 38

A bolt designed to break at a given load

Question 39

Why are fuse pins used for the engine pylon?

Answer 39

Allow the engine to separate without causing excess damage to the wing