Air Tech 1
Test Review
Aircraft structures; design, components and history
of
History of Aircraft Structures
The history of aircraft structures underlies the history of aviation in
general. Advances in materials and processes used to construct
aircraft have led to their evolution from simple wood truss
structures to the sleek aerodynamic flying machines of today.
Combined with continuous powerplant development, the
structures of “flying machines” have changed significantly.
Know Historical Changes…
● Around the 1930s and heading into WWII, how did aircraft
design change?
○ How did shell/frame types & skin change?
○ What new structural concept was introduced?
■ By way of which two materials?
● After WWII what new type of engines were developed?
○ How did this help air travel?
● What new airplane concept was engineered during the 60s?
● What aircraft design technology has steadily increased from the
70s, forward?
Airframe Components & Construction
An aircraft is a device that is used for, or is intended to be
used for, flight in the air.
Airfoils are cambered (curved) surfaces that create lift and
are seen/utilized in several different parts of aircraft
construction.
Know…
● 4 Major categories of aircraft
○ Subcategories such as seaplanes, airships, balloons, etc
○ The most common category
● Rotors of Helicopter = Airframe (rotating wings)
Props (propellers) & Engines = Powerplant
● How many sets of wings have been successfully utilized on
airplanes?
Know…
● Main units/components of airframes
○ Fixed-wing (5)
○ Rotor-wing (4)
● Materials that airframes have been constructed of
○ Which woods, metals, and composites?
● What have they been covered with?
● How are components joined/fastened?
○ Know methods and hardware
Know Major Structural Stresses
● Structural members are designed to carry a load or to resist
stress
○ Difference between stress and strain
○ The major stresses (5)
■ Brief descriptions
■ Examples of where the stress is an issue (see Handbook
and Quizlet!!)
Know Wing & Fuselage Structures, (cont’d)…
● Fuselage structure; what they are called, how they function, in
which direction they lie, etc.
○ Struts, longerons, stringers, bulkheads, etc.
● Shell/Frame Types (Truss, monocoque, semi-monocoque)
○ Definitions/Function
○ Components
○ Materials
Know Wing & Fuselage Structures…
● Why there are so many wing designs, who decides what design
is utilized and who’s manual do you refer to when there are
issues?
● Wing Configuration
○ Main types (4, as discussed in class)
● Cantilever
○ Semi vs. Full
● Dihedral
Know Wing & Fuselage Structures…
● Principal structural parts of wings; what they are called, how
they function, in which direction they lie, etc.
○ Spars, ribs, stringers, etc
■ Configurations and materials used for each
○ Box beams
● How wings are attached (which component?)
● Wing tips
○ How attached?
○ How does icing control work?
Know Powerplant Coverings…
● Nacelles (pods)
○ Definition
○ Components involved
○ Where they are found on aircraft
● Cowlings
○ Definition
○ Function
■ What they’re used for
■ How fastened
○ Materials made of
Know…
● Empennage components
○ Where is it located?
○ Name the fixed surfaces.
○ Name the movable surfaces.
Airplane Structural Design Video
Go back to re-view the video about the design of the Panthera.
Know:
The variety of materials used in the construction of this aircraft;
What kind of safety design is built into this airframe?
Quizlet
Remember you can utilize the Quizlet to study relevant
topics!