The Airplane Flashcards
Wing strut
Bracing that hold apart the wings of a biplane or multiplane, also helps to maintain the correct angle of incidence for the connected wing panels.
Aileron
Used in pairs to Laterally control the aircraft in roll (movement around the longitudinal axis). Hinged surface in the trailing edge of an aircraft wing.
Stabilizer
Horizontal tail or tail plane towards the rear of the aircraft. Contains the elevator.
Vertical stabilizer contains rudder.
Horizontal controls longitudinal (pitch) or vertical stabilizer controls directional (yaw).
Transmutation of loads (internally)
The load on a wing comes first on the skin it is in transmitted to the ribs and from these to the spars and thence carried into the fuselage.
Transmission of loads (externally)
In an externally braced wing part of the load is taken by the bracing struts or the flying or landing wires, as the case may be, and then transmitted to the fuselage.
Flaps
High-lift device used to reduce the stalling speed of an aircraft wing at a given weight.
When fitted these form a part of the wing structure. Like the ailerons, they are usually hinged to the rear spar.
Wing tip bow
This is generally a metal tube, curved to give the wingtip the particular shape required.
Wing root
The section of the wing nearest the fuselage. And low wing airplanes, it is reinforced to permit the passengers and crew to walk on it.
Chord
An imaginary straight line joining the leading and trailing edges of the wing.
Empennage
Tail section
Elevators
Controls the pitch. Surfaces hinged along the trailing edge of the stabilizer to give longitudinal control.
Stabilator
One piece pivoting, horizontal stabilizer
Stabilizer / tailplane
An airfoil placed at the rear end of the fuselage to balance the airplane and provide longitudinal stability.
Fin
I fixed vertical surface placed ahead of the stern post to provide directional stability. The Finn is usually offset from the centre to compensate for the corkscrew motion of the slipstream from the revolving propeller.
Rudder
A movable surface hinged to the fin to give directional control.
Trim tab
An adjustable tab either fixed or hinged to a control surface (rudder, elevators and ailerons) that helps the pilot by eliminating the need to exert excessive pressure on the cock-pit flight controls during the various phases of flight.
Canard
Incorporates a horizontal stabilizer assembly at the front of the plane.
Turboprop engine
Gas turbine, or jet, engine used to drive a propeller.
Cowling
Enclosed the engine and streamlined the airplane to reduce drag.
Cowl flaps
On high performance airplanes. Used to control the amount of cooling air circulating around the engine.
Engine mountings
The engine is supported by a structure, usually of steel tubing welded together, called the engine mount, which is made flexible to absorb vibration from the engine and prevent it being transmitted to the fuselage. This is usually accomplished by engine mount bushings which are made springy in the direction of the engine rotation but rigid otherwise, in order to hold the engine sturdy fore and aft.
Firewall
Between the main structure and the engine. Made of heavy stainless steel or often a sandwich of asbestos between two sheets of dural.
Types of fixed gear configurations
Split axle, tripod, single spring leaf cantilever and single strut
Advantages of tricycle gear
Nose over tendencies are reduced. Ground looping tendencies are reduced. Visibility over nose when taxiing, taking off or landing is superior. Greater maneuverability on the ground under high wind conditions due to negative angle of attack of the wings. Greater controllability on the ground in crosswind conditions.
