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Flashcards in Airframe Deck (45)
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1
Q

What is the fuselage

A

The body of the aircraft to which the wings, tail section, engine and landing gear are attached, it normally contains a cabin and cockpit, instruments and baggage lockers

2
Q

Requirements of the fuselage

A

It needs to be light but strong enough to to be able to stand the bending and twisting loads of flight without becoming deformed or breaking

3
Q

What construction is commonly used for the fuselage

A

semi-monocoque/stressed skin

4
Q

Semi-monocoque construction

A

A light metal framework usually covered by an aluminium alloy skin riveted to it

5
Q

Benefits of semi-monocoque

A

Incorporates the best feature of truss type and monocoque structure

6
Q

Truss type structure

A

Internal framework carries almost all the stress

7
Q

Monocoque structure

A

No internal framework, stress carried by the skin

8
Q

Composite materials

A

Combination of materials which are bonded together to provide a new material with the required characteristics

9
Q

What composites are used in aviation

A

Glass fibre reinforced plastics and carbon fibre reinforced plastics

10
Q

Advantages of composites

A

They offer high strength for reduced weight, better resistance to fatigue, corrosion and impact damage

11
Q

Disadvantages of composites

A

High cost

12
Q

Spars

A

They attach to the fuselage extending to the wingtips, they carry the major loads, which bend the wings upwards, downwards, and twist them

13
Q

External struts

A

Some light aircraft have external struts connecting the wings to the fuselage, this provides extra strength by bracing the wings and transferring some of the wing bending loads from the wing roots to other parts of the fuselage

14
Q

Ribs

A

They are attached to the wing spars, and provide the required aerofoil shape as well supporting the skin which envelopes the frameworks

15
Q

Stringers

A

Run in-between the ribs and assist in supporting the skin

16
Q

Ailerons

A

Control surfaces attached to the outer trailing edge of the wing. They are able to be moved simultaneously in opposite directions to allow the pilot to control roll

17
Q

Flaps

A

Installed on the inner trailing edges of the wings and are lowered symmetrically to increase lifting ability of the wing or to increase its drag

18
Q

Where are the fuel tanks installed in most light aircraft

A

In the wings because it is an efficient use of space and in high-wing aeroplanes it enables the use of gravity feed of fuel to the engine

19
Q

Monoplanes

A

One set of wings

20
Q

Biplanes

A

Double set of wings

21
Q

Classification of monoplanes

A

High-wing, low-wing or mid-wing

22
Q

Empennage

A

Tail section

23
Q

Tail section

A

Consists of the fin which has a movable rudder attached, tailplane which has a movable elevator attached

24
Q

Vertical stabiliser

A

Fin

25
Q

Horizontal stabiliser

A

Tailplane

26
Q

Trim tab

A

Small control surface on the trailing edge of the elevator and sometimes rudder which aerodynamically balances control in steady flight so that the need to hold a constant steady pressure on the control column to maintain a given altitude is eliminated, reducing the workload of the pilot

27
Q

What are the main flight control surfaces

A

Elevator, ailerons and rudder

28
Q

What do stops do

A

Prevent excessive movement to control surfaces

29
Q

Types of undercarriage

A
  • Tricycle type (nose wheel)

- Tail wheel type

30
Q

Disc brakes

A

Fitted to each main wheel operated hydraulically and independently through the upper portion of the rudder pedal

31
Q

Advanced aircraft have a ____ undercarriage to improve performance by ____ ____

A

Retractable, reducing drag

32
Q

What type of undercarriage do training aircraft have

A

Fixed, which cant be retracted

33
Q

What is the recommended taxiing speed

A

Walking pace

34
Q

Control in a tricycle type undercarriage

A

Visibility is good, and with nose wheel steering and the use of brakes control is reasonably easy to achieve, however because the tips of the propeller are fairly close to the ground caution must be taken when crossing line depressions to avoid propeller tip strike

35
Q

Control in a tail wheel type undercarriage

A

Forward viability is usually restricted, so the aircraft must be weaved when taxiing to enable the pilot to see the area ahead, directional control may be lost in what is called a ground loop if the pilot allows a large swing to develop.

36
Q

How is the engine separated from the cockpit

A

Firewall

37
Q

Propeller in training aircraft

A

Fixed pitch propeller

38
Q

Constant speed propeller

A

In more advanced aircraft, the pitch of the blades can be varied and controlled by the pilot

39
Q

What is meant by stressed skin airframes are designed to be fail safe

A

They are designed and constructed in a way that over-stressing will result in gradual failure of a part of the structure, and not a sudden or catastrophic failure of the whole

40
Q

Flexibility of aluminium alloy structures

A

Withstands tension (stretching) well, but is susceptible to buckling under compression. It is also susceptible to fatigue as an alloy component that is repeatedly bent or subjected to fluctuating stress such as vibration will eventually crack and then fail in the area where the bending is the greatest

41
Q

Composite structures

A

Less prone to fatigue and corrosion and because of they aren’t as ductile minor damage won’t be visible, they are prone to delamination through the failure of the bonding matrix

42
Q

How can delamination identified

A

Dull colour, bubbled/depressed, light tapping may produce a different sound

43
Q

What are fabric airframes affected by

A

UV light, Moisture, pollution, spilled aircraft fluid, battery acid and fumes as well as the passage of time.

44
Q

Fabric airframes inspection

A
  • Check seems and lapped joints
  • Surface tapes in place
  • Check lacing cords
  • Drain holes unobstructed
  • Surface free from cuts + tears
  • Check for signs of dope separation, whorls, cracks, spits
45
Q

Picketing procedure

A
  • Park into wind
  • Choke wheels, park brake on
  • Lock control surfaces
  • Tie plane down (angle ropes attached to wings forward, drive pegs on an angle, need slack with manilla rope)
  • Fit pitot cover
  • Cover engine openings
  • Secure loose equipment and lock doors