Aircraft Structure
References Used Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) o FAA-H A, Chapter 2 Available Online for Free at: ndbook/ ndbook/
What is an aircraft? A device that is either used or intended to be used for flight (14CFR Part 1) TAA: Technologically Advanced Aircraft –An aircraft equipped with a moving map GPS and another system (like an auto-pilot)
Parts of an Aircraft
Fuselage/ Empennage
Fuselage Structure
Wings
Ailerons Left BANK/ ROLL Left turn Right BANK/ ROLL
Elevator
Rudder Push left rudder pedal and the plane YAWS left Push right rudder pedal and the plane YAWS right
Flaps Flaps down
Types of Flaps Figure 2-8 in PHAK
Basic Aerodynamics
2-1 Diagram Lift, Thrust Weight and Drag
Axis of an Airplane
4 Forces Broken Down Thrust- forward force produced by power plant Drag -retarding force o Induced-created by airplane as lift as generated o Parasitic- (think PARASITE)... Created by everything else Lift -produced by dynamic effect of air on an airfoil Weight- acts vertically downward through the CG
Center of Gravity (CG) CG (Center of Gravity)-point where all weight/mass acts from o Aircraft could be balanced from this point! o CG determines stability of an aircraft o As CG moves rearward (towards the tail) the airplane becomes more unstable Can CG move in flight? PHAK Figure 2-3
CG CG
Category Class and Type Category: o Airplane o Rotorcraft o Glider o Lighter Than Air o Powered Lift o Powered Parachute o Weight Shift Control Class o Single Engine Land/ Sea (SEL/ SES) o Multi Engine Land (MEL/ MES) Type o Cessna 172 o Boeing 767 etc.
End of Chapter 2 We are stopping at Page 2-5 in the PHAK. The remaining information in this chapter is non-essential to your certificate or rating, however feel free to review it on your own. If you have any questions, please contact Rohan at or at