Theory of Flight 6.01 Aircraft Design and Construction References: FTGU pages 9-14, 27 Main Teaching Points Parts of an Airplane Aircraft Construction Standard Terminology Definition The airplane is defined as: A power-driven Heavier-than air aircraft Deriving its lift in flight from aerodynamic reactions On surfaces that remain fixed under given conditions of flight. 1
Parts of an Airplane Parts of an Airplane Parts of an Airplane 2
Parts of an Airplane Fuselage The fuselage is the main body of the aircraft, where the passengers, cargo and crew go. Fuselage The fuselage is normally classified according to the type of construction: -Truss Type -Monocoque -Semi-monocoque 3
Fuselage Truss Type Fuselage Semi-Monocoque Empennage The empennage is the rear portion of the airplane It is integral to control and stability during flight 4
Wing Construction Spars spanwise members wood or metal carry bending loads Ribs web or truss give wing its cambered shape Wing Construction Edges Leading Edge Trailing Edge Strength & Shape Wires Internal / External Bracing for strength Covering Metal or Fabric Metal à strength Wing Layouts High Wing Mid Wing Low Wing Bi-Plane 5
17-10-27 Wing Layouts High Wing Mid Wing Low Wing Bi-Plane Wing Layouts High Wing Mid Wing Low Wing Bi-Plane Wing Layouts High Wing Mid Wing Low Wing Bi-Plane 6
Confirmation Conventional (Tail-Dragger) - Two main wheels and a tail wheel Tricycle Two main wheels and a nose wheel Retractable - Wheels may be raised so that they are enclosed in wings or fuselage (reducing drag) Fixed - Landing gear is not designed to retract 7
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Retractable PROS Reduced drag at cruise Higher cruising speed CONS Added weight Added mechanical complexity Risk of Gear Up Landing (land based) Risk of Gear Down Landing (amphibious) Shock AbsorpIon Absorb the impact of landing, or the effect of bumps in runway. Spring steel Air/Oil oleos Rubber cords (bungee) or discs Low pressure Bres Main - Spring Steel Cantilever - 9
Nose - Air / Oil Oleo - Brakes - Brakes Provide a means of stopping the aircraq Assist with steering on the ground Confirmation How would you describe the aircraft to the left? -tail dragger? -tricycle gear? -retractable gear? -float plane? -high wing? -low wing? -mid wing? -biplane? Request the use of the tools to label the aircraft. 10
Wing Span Wingspan is the maximum distance from wing Bp to wing Bp Chord Chord is the imaginary line between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the wing A measure of the width of a wing Wing Area Wing Area Length of the wing multiplied by the average width of wing 11
Planform Planform Shape of the wing as seen from above Aspect Ratio Aspect RaBo RaIo of the span to chord of the wing A measure of how SLENDER the wing is Airfoil A structure curved to produce lift 12
Camber Camber A measure of the curvature of an airfoil Mean Camber is the line equidistant between the upper & lower surfaces Angle of Incidence Angle of Incidence Angle between chord line and the longitudinal axis RelaBve Airflow Relative Airflow Airflow over the wing Related to the forward moion of the aircraq through the air 13
Angle of Attack Angle of AXack The angle between the chord line and the relaive airflow It is a measure of how much the wing bites into the air Confirmation Check Confirmation Confirmation What kind of landing gear is this? 14
17-10-27 Confirmation What is the angle of attack? Confirmation What are some of the differences between powered aircraft and gliders? Confirmation Reading: From the Ground Up, pages 9-14 The next Theory of Flight Class covers the basic flight controls (6.02) 15