Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
AE05
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Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
I. Classification
1. 2. 3. 4. By Type of Wing
Rotary Wing (Helicopter) vs Fixed Wing (Aeroplane)
By Purpose
Military vs Civil
By Mission
Fighter, Bomber, Transport, Reconnaissance, Training, etc.
By Source of Power
Glider vs Propeller/Rotor vs Jet Engine
II. Naming and Designation System
e.g.
"Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit"
1.
"Northrop Grumman"
refers to the Manufacturer of the aircraft. Some aircraft may involve more than one manufacturers. For example,
"Boeing/BAe AV-8 Harrier"
Some major aircraft manufacturers are listed as follows –
Eurocopter [France] British Aerospace (BAe) [UK] Boeing / Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) [USA] Lockheed Martin [USA] Northrop Grumman [USA] Saab [Sweden] Airbus [France/Germany/Spain/UK] Sikorsky [USA]
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Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
2.
"B-2 Spirit"
refers to the Reporting Name of the aircraft. The letter at the beginning of the Reporting Name may reflect the mission/functionality of the aircraft. Some of the more common role letters are as follows:
A – Ground Attack B – Bomber C – Transport E – Special Electronic Mission F – Fighter G – Glider H – Helicopter K – Tanker R – Reconnaissance S – Antisubmarine Warfare T – Trainer U – Utility V – VSTOL (Vertical/Short Distance Take-Off and Landing) X – Special Research
III. WETFUS Approach
1. When examining an aircraft for the purposes of determining its make, model and role, it is necessary to look at the various aspects of the aircraft’s size, shape and features. A systematic approach
"WETFUS"
is useful for aircraft identification –
W ings E ngines T ailplane F uselage U ndercarriage S pecial features
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Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
2. The list below describes the features that should be examined so as to determine the type of aircraft: a. Shape and size of the WINGS b. Position and number of ENGINES c. Shape and size of the TAILPLANE and RUDDER d. Shape and size of the FUSELAGE e. Type and style of UNDERCARRIAGE eg fixed, retractable, tricycle or taildragger f. Shape and size of the FIN and TAILPLANE g. Position of WINGS and TAILPLANE in relation to the FUSELAGE h. Type of ENGINE/s eg jet, turbo prop, or incline or radial i. piston engine. Position, size and shape of such additional parts as j. DORSAL and VENTRAL FINS, WING FENCES etc Position, size and shape of such additional parts as BULGERS, PODS, BOOMS, ANTENNAE and PROBES. Page 4 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition IV. Recognition Features
1. Types of Aircraft a. Propeller Driven Types b. Gas Turbine Driven Types Page 5 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
2. Wing Planforms – Shape a. Sweep Backward b. Sweep Forward c. Delta d. Rectangular e. Tapered Page 6 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
3. Wing Mounting Angle a. Dihedral b. Anhedral 4. Wing Position on Fuselage a. Low Wing b. Mid Wing c. High Wing Page 7 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
5. Engine Configurations a. Mounted in Nose b. In Fuselage c. On Pylons at Rear of Fuselage d. Mounted in Wings e. On Wing Pylons f. Mounted on Fin Page 8 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
6. Page 9 of 22 Tailplane Configurations a. Conventional b. Tee c. Dual Fin d. Mid-Fin Mounted 7. Fuselage Shapes a. Tubular b. Square Page 9 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
8. Undercarriage a. Tricycle b. Tail Dragger c. Floats 9. Special Features a. Radar Rotordome b. Refueling Probes c. Bomb Bay Door d. Winglets Page 10 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition V. Aircraft Recognition Guide (Level 1)
1. Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Strategic Bomber High/backward-swept wings; four pairs of engines on wing pylons; tubular fuselage 2 pilots, 3 operators, 1 gunner; 24,750 kg warload L-49m; W-56.4m; H-12.4m
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Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
2. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Strategic Heavy Transport High/backward-swept wings; four turbofans; winglets; upper-fin mounted T-tail 2 pilots, 2 crew, 154 troops, 102 paratroops, 48 stretchers; 77,290 kg cargo; L-53m; W-51.7m; H-16.8m
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Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
3. Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F/A-18 Hornet Military Aircraft
Origin : Role : Main Features : Payload Dimensions : : USA Carrier-Borne Multi-Role Fighter High/delta wings; long leading edge; twin tails angled outwards 1 pilot; 7,031 warload L-17m; W-11.4m; H-4.7m Page 13 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
4. BAe Hawk Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : UK Operational Trainer / Ground Attack Fighter Low/backward-swept wings; single engine in fuselage; tandem cockpit 2 pilots; 3,000 kg warload L-12.4m; W-9.4m; H-3.4m Page 14 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
5. Boeing / BAe AV-8 Harrier Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA/UK Carrier-Borne VSTOL Multi-Role Fighter High/backward-swept wings; anhedral wings; movable turbine exhausts; intakes on both sides of fuselage 1 pilot; 4,899 kg warload L-14.5m; W-9.2m; H-3.5m Page 15 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
6. Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15 Eagle Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Air Superiority Fighter High/backwark-swept wings; twin tails; twin engines in fuselage 1 pilot, 10,705 kg warload L-19.4m; W-13m; H-5.6m Page 16 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
7. GKN Westland Wessex Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : UK Shipborne Anti Submarine Helicopter Four rotor/twin turbine; high set cockpit; nose-mounted engine; exhausts near the nose 2 pilots, 16 troops; 3,628 kg cargo L-14.7m; R-18.9m; H-5.1m Page 17 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
8. Lockheed Martin F-117A Nighthawk Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Stealth Fighter/Bomber Low/backward-swept twin tails angled outwards; stealth features wings; 1 pilot; 1,814 kg warload L-20.1m; W-13.2m; H-3.8m Page 18 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
9. Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Strategic Reconnaissance Aircraft Mid/delta wings; twin tails angled inwards; two engines mounted in wings; long leading edge; stealth features 1 pilot, 1 operator; speed over Mach 3.2 / 3,200 kph L-32.7m; W-16.9m; H-5.6m Page 19 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
10. Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload : : USA Medium Tactical Transport High/straight wings; turboprops; large nose radium four 2 pilots, 3 crew, 92 troops, 64 paratroops, 74 stretchers; 17,645 kg cargo L-34.3m; W-40.4m; H-11.6m Dimensions Page 20 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
11. Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Military Aircraft
Origin : Role : Main Features : Payload Dimensions : : USA Mulit-Role Fighter Mid/delta wings; long leading edge; single engine in fuselage; ventral intake 1 pilot; 4,320 kg warload L-15m ; W-9.4m ; H-5.1m Page 21 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
12. Lockheed Martin / Boeing F-22 Raptor Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Air Superiority Stealth Fighter Mid/swept diamond wings; twin tails angled out; twin engines in fuselage; stealth features 1 pilot L-18.9m; W-13.6m; H-5m Page 22 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
13. Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Strategic Stealth Bomber Tail-less flying wings; double-W trailing edge; bomb bay doors; stealth features 2 pilots; 22,680 kg warload L-21m ;W-52.4m; H-5.2m Page 23 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
14. Northrop Grumman F-14 Tomcat Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Carrier-Borne Interceptor High/swing wings; twin tails; twin engines in fuselage; tandem cockpit for 2 pilots/operators 1 pilot, 1 operator; 6,577 kg warload L-19.1m; W-19.5m ; H-4.8m Page 24 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
15. Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Carrier-Borne Early Warning Aircraft High/straight wings; twin turboprops; radar rotordome; additional skegs 2 pilots, 3 mission crew L-17.6m; W-24.6m; H-5.6m Page 25 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
16. Saab JAS 39 Gripen Military Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : Sweden Multi-role Fighter Mid/tail-less delta wings; movable canards; single engine in fuselage 1 pilot; 4,500 kg warload L-14.1m; W-8.4m; H-4.5m Page 26 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
17. Aerospatiale / BAe Concorde Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload / Range : Dimensions : France/UK Supersonic Airliner Low/tail-less delta wings; two pairs of underwing turbojets; pointed nose; narrow tubular fuselage 128 passengers; 12,700 kg cargo; 6,580 km range L-62.1m; W-25.5m; H-11.4m Page 27 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
18. Airbus A300-600ST Beluga Civil Aircraft
Origin : Role : Main Features : Payload / Range : Dimensions : France/Germany/Spain/UK Supersize Cargo Freighter Low/backward-swept wings; fuselage; upwards hinging main cargo door; twin turbofans on wing pylons; enlarged tailplane with winglets 47,000 kg cargo; 4,000 km range bulged L-56.2m; W-44.8m; H-17.2m Page 28 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
19. Airbus A330 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload / Range : Dimensions : France/Germany/Spain/UK Medium-haul Airliner Low/backward-swept wings; twin turofans on wing pylons; narrow tubular fuselage; winglets 440 passengers; 46,715 kg cargo; 8,334 km range L-63.6m; W- 60.3m; H-16.2m Page 29 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
20. Airbus A340 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload / Range : Dimensions : France/Germany/Spain/UK Long-haul Airliner Low/backward-swept wings; four turofans on wing pylons; narrow tubular fuselage; winglets 335 passengers; 45,915 kg cargo; 13,343 km range L-59.4m; W-60.3m; H-16.7m Page 30 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
21. BAe Jetstream J-41 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload / Range : Dimensions : UK Shot-haul Commuter Low/straight wings; twin turboprops in wings; mid-fin mounted tailplane 29 passengers; 3,628 kg cargo; 1,433 km range L-19.2m; W-18.3m; H-5.7m Page 31 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
22. Boeing 747-400 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload / Range : Dimensions : USA Long-haul Airliner Low/backward-swept wings; four turofans on wing pylons; winglets; top deck extended to mid fuselage 421 passengers; 113,000 kg cargo; 13,390 km range L-70.6m; W-64.4m; H-19.4m Page 32 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
23. Boeing 777 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload / Range : Dimensions : USA Long-haul Airliner Low/backward-swept wings; twin turofans on wing pylons; wide tubular fuselage 440 passengers; 54,660 kg cargo; 13,667 km range L-63.7m; W-60.9m; H-18.5m Page 33 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
24. Cessna 172 Skyhawk Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload / Range : Dimensions : USA Light Sports Aircraft High/braced straight wings; single piston engine at nose; four size windows 4 passengers; 54 kg cargo; 1,620 km range L-8.2m; W-10.9m; H-2.7m Page 34 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
25. Eurocopter AS 332 SuperPuma Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : France/Germany Medium Lift Helicopter Four rotor/twin turbine; retractable landing gear; side pods 2 pilots, 1 crew, 25 troops; 4,500 kg cargo L-15.5m; R-15.6m; H-4.9m Page 35 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
26. Eurocopter EC 155B1 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : France/Germany Light Helicopter Five rotor/twin turbine; retractable landing gear; fenestron tail; tailplane with winglets 2 pilots, 12 passengers; 4,850 kg cargo L-10.9m; R-11.5m; H-3.5m Page 36 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
27. Robinson R22 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Ultra Light Helicopter Twin boom rotor/single piston high-mounted rotorhead; long thin tail 2 pilots; 181 kg cargo L-6.3m; R-7.7m; H-2.7m engine; Page 37 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
28. Robinson R44 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Light Helicopter Twin rotor/single piston engine; high-mounted rotorhead; two side windows 2 pilots, 2 passengers L-11.6m; R-10.1m; H-3.3m Page 38 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
29. Sikorsky S-70 / UH-60 Black Hawk Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Utility Helicopter Four rotor/twin turbine; tall tail fin; low tailplane; low/wide fuselage 2 pilots, 2 crew, 14 troops; 3,629 kg cargo L-15.3m; R-16.4m; H-5.1m Page 39 of 40

Student Resource Materials – AE05 Aircraft Recognition
30. Sikorsky S-76 Civil Aircraft
Origin Role Main Features : : : Payload Dimensions : : USA Utility Helicopter Four rotor/single turbine; retractable landing gear; low tailplane; twin side doors 2 pilots, 14 passengers; 1,497 kg cargo L-13.4m; R-13.4m; H-4.4m
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