Aircraft Construction

Figure 3-6. Monoplane (left) and biplane (right). Attached to the rear, or trailing edges, of the wings are two operation for which an aircraft is intended and is tailored types of control surfaces referred to as ailerons and flaps. to specific types of flying. These design variations are Ailerons extend from about the midpoint of each wing discussed in Chapter 5, Aerodynamics of Flight, which outward toward the tip, and move in opposite directions to provides information on the effect controls have on lifting create aerodynamic forces that cause the airplane to roll. surfaces from traditional wings to wings that use both flexing Flaps extend outward from the fuselage to near the midpoint (due to billowing) and shifting (through the change of the of each wing. The flaps are normally flush with the wing’s aircraft’s CG). For example, the wing of the weight-shift surface during cruising flight. When extended, the flaps move control aircraft is highly swept in an effort to reduce drag simultaneously downward to increase the lifting force of the and allow for the shifting of weight to provide controlled wing for takeoffs and landings. [Figure 3-8] flight. [Figure 3-9] Handbooks specific to most categories of aircraft are available for the interested pilot and can be Alternate Types of Wings found on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website Alternate types of wings are often found on aircraft. The at www.faa.gov. shape and design of a wing is dependent upon the type of Wing flap Spar Aileron Fuel tank Skin Ribs Stringers Wing tip Figure 3-7. Wing components. 3-5