1. 6.01 Aircraft Design and Construction References: FTGU pages 9-14, 27
Theory of Flight
6.01 Aircraft Design and Construction
References:
FTGU pages 9-14, 27

2. Main Teaching Points Parts of an Airplane Aircraft Construction
Landing Gear
Standard Terminology

3. 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.

4. Parts of an Airplane

5. Parts of an Airplane

6. Parts of an Airplane

7. Parts of an Airplane

8. Fuselage
The fuselage is the main body of the aircraft, where the passengers, cargo and crew go.

9. Fuselage
The fuselage is normally classified according to the type of construction:
-Truss Type
-Monocoque
-Semi-monocoque

10. Fuselage – Truss Type

11. Fuselage – Semi-Monocoque

12. Empennage The empennage is the rear portion of the airplane
It is integral to control and stability during flight

13. Wing Construction Spars spanwise members wood or metal
carry bending loads
Ribs
web or truss
give wing its cambered shape

14. Wing Construction Edges Leading Edge Trailing Edge Strength & Shape
Wires
Internal / External
Bracing for strength
Covering
Metal or Fabric
Metal  strength

15. Wing Layouts
High Wing
Mid Wing
Low Wing
Bi-Plane

16. Wing Layouts
High Wing
Mid Wing
Low Wing
Bi-Plane

17. Wing Layouts
High Wing
Mid Wing
Low Wing
Bi-Plane

18. Wing Layouts
High Wing
Mid Wing
Low Wing
Bi-Plane

19. Confirmation

20. Landing Gear
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

21. Landing Gear

22. Landing Gear

23. Landing Gear

24. Landing Gear

25. Landing Gear Retractable Landing Gear PROS CONS 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)

26. Landing Gear Shock Absorption Spring steel Landing Gear Air/Oil oleos
Absorb the impact of landing, or the effect of bumps in runway.
Spring steel Landing Gear
Air/Oil oleos
Rubber cords (bungee) or discs
Low pressure tires

27. - Spring Steel Cantilever -
Landing Gear
Main Landing Gear
- Spring Steel Cantilever -

28. Landing Gear
Nose Landing Gear
- Air / Oil Oleo -

29. Landing Gear - Brakes Brakes Provide a means of stopping the aircraft
Assist with steering on the ground

30. 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.

31. Wing Span
Wingspan is the maximum distance from wing tip to wing tip

32. 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

33. Wing Area
Wing Area
Length of the wing multiplied by the average width of wing

34. Planform
Planform
Shape of the wing as seen from above

35. Aspect Ratio Aspect Ratio Ratio of the span to chord of the wing
A measure of how SLENDER the wing is

36. Airfoil
A structure curved to produce lift

37. Camber Camber A measure of the curvature of an airfoil
Mean Camber is the line equidistant between the upper & lower surfaces

38. Angle of Incidence Angle of Incidence
Angle between chord line and the longitudinal axis

39. Relative Airflow Relative Airflow Airflow over the wing
Related to the forward motion of the aircraft through the air

40. Angle of Attack Angle of Attack
The angle between the chord line and the relative airflow
It is a measure of how much the wing ‘bites’ into the air

41. Confirmation
Confirmation Check

42. What kind of landing gear is this?
Confirmation
What kind of landing gear is this?

43. What is the angle of attack?
Confirmation
What is the angle of attack?

44. What are some of the differences between powered aircraft and gliders?
Confirmation
What are some of the differences between powered aircraft and gliders?

45. Confirmation Questions? Reading: From the Ground Up, pages 9-14
The next Theory of Flight Class covers the basic flight controls (6.02)