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Airplanes - Major Components
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Fuselage
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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.
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Wings
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The wings are
airfoils attached to each side of the fuselage
and are the main lifting surfaces that support
the airplane in flight. There are numerous wing
designs, sizes, and shapes used by the various
manufacturers. Each fulfills a certain need
with respect to the expected performance for
the particular airplane.
Many high-wing airplanes have external braces,
or wing struts that transmit the flight and
landing loads through the struts to the main
fuselage structure. This type of wing structure
is called semi-cantilever.
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Empennage
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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Landing Gear
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The landing gear
is the principal support of the airplane when
parked, taxiing, taking off, or landing. There
are three wheels—two main wheels and a
third wheel positioned either at the front or
rear of the airplane.
Landing gear with a rear mounted wheel is called
conventional landing gear, sometimes referred
to as tailwheel airplanes.
Tricycle gear - the third wheel is located on
the nose, it is called a nosewheel
A steerable nosewheel or tailwheel permits the
airplane to be controlled throughout all operations
while on the ground. Most aircraft are steered
by moving the rudder pedals, whether nosewheel
or tailwheel. Additionally, some aircraft are
steered by differential braking
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The Powerplant:
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The powerplant
usually includes both the engine and the propeller.
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.
The engine is covered by a cowling. The purpose
of the cowling is to streamline the flow of
air around the engine and to help cool the engine
by ducting air around the cylinders.
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