Aircraft Structures and Designs Quiz

Load-Bearing Structures

• Wing spars distribute aerodynamic loads to the fuselage.
• A wing with tips lower than the root is known as an anhedral wing.

Wing Designs

• Rectangular wings are commonly used in small aircraft due to their simplicity.
• Sweptback wings are designed to angle backward from the root.
• Delta wings are characterized by their triangular shape.
• Elliptical wings are aerodynamically efficient but complex to manufacture.

Fuselage Types

• Monocoque fuselage relies on the strength of its skin to carry loads.
• Semi-monocoque fuselage uses a framework combined with load-bearing skin.
• Truss fuselages incorporate longerons as the principal longitudinal member.
• Multicoque is not a recognized type of fuselage construction.

Structural Integrity

• Damage tolerance design philosophy evaluates a structure's ability to withstand loads despite damage.
• Fatigue refers to the fracturing of material after repeated stress cycles.

Stabilization Components

• The horizontal stabilizer ensures longitudinal stability of the aircraft.
• The vertical stabilizer provides directional stability.
• Ailerons allow for lateral control, while the rudder controls yaw movement.

Construction Materials

• Aluminum alloys are the primary materials for constructing aircraft structures due to their high strength.
• Wood is used as the principal material in truss fuselages.
• Color is not a factor in selecting materials for aircraft structures.

Structural Forces

• Structural stress causing twisting is termed torsion.
• Compression resists crushing forces, while tension counters forces pulling apart a structure.

Functional Components

• The empennage's primary purpose is to stabilize the aircraft.
• The spar in a wing carries loads from the fuselage to the wing tips.
• Fairings are secondary structures that enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
• The firewall isolates the engine compartment from the rest of the aircraft.

Landing Gear and Control Surfaces

• Landing gear supports the aircraft during takeoff and landing.
• The primary function of ailerons is to control roll movement.
• The engine mounts securely fasten the engine to the nacelle.

Historical Contributions

• George Cayley is recognized for pioneering directional control in aviation.
• The Wright brothers are best known for creating the first powered airplane.

Efficiency and Design

• The tapered wing design narrows toward the tip for structural efficiency.
• The tail cone of the empennage streamlines the aft of the fuselage.