Airplane Wings Flashcards
(25 cards)
What are the basic structural units of a conventional airplane?
Fuselage, wings, empennage (tail section), landing gear
These components are essential for the airplane’s structure and function.
What are the two main types of wings?
Cantilever and semi-cantilever
Cantilever wings have no external bracing, while semi-cantilever wings are externally braced.
How are wings classified based on their attachment to the fuselage?
High wing, mid wing, low wing
This classification affects visibility and susceptibility to wind.
What type of wing offers better visibility for sightseeing when airborne?
High wing
High wings provide better visibility of the ground.
What are the primary control surfaces of an airplane’s wings?
Ailerons and wing flaps
These surfaces are essential for controlling the airplane’s lift and drag.
What is the function of the empennage?
Provides stability and control
It includes the vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer, as well as movable surfaces like the rudder and elevator.
What does the vertical stabilizer provide?
Directional stability
It helps maintain the airplane’s direction during flight.
What is the lateral axis of an airplane?
An imaginary line from wingtip to wingtip
Rotation about this axis is called pitch.
What controls the rotation about the lateral axis?
Elevator
This rotation is referred to as longitudinal control.
What is the longitudinal axis of an airplane?
An imaginary line from the nose to the tail
Rotation about this axis is called roll.
What controls the rotation about the longitudinal axis?
Ailerons
This rotation is referred to as lateral control.
What is the vertical axis of an airplane?
An imaginary line extending vertically through the intersection of the lateral and longitudinal axes
Rotation about this axis is called yaw.
What controls the rotation about the vertical axis?
Rudder
This rotation is referred to as directional control.
What are primary flight controls used for?
Manage the airplane’s attitude (rotation about the three axes)
They are hinged, movable surfaces attached to the wings and stabilizers.
What happens when the elevator is raised?
Increases the horizontal stabilizer’s negative angle of attack
This increases the downward tail force, raising the airplane’s pitch attitude.
What is a stabilator?
A movable horizontal surface that combines the horizontal stabilizer and elevator
It changes its angle of attack to control pitch.
What is the function of the antiservo tab?
Provides resistance to the movement of the stabilator
It helps prevent overcontrol by giving tactile feedback on the control yoke.
What controls roll in an airplane?
Ailerons
Ailerons operate in opposite directions to control the roll of the aircraft.
What is the effect of lowering an aileron?
Increases the angle of attack, lift, and drag on that wing
This allows the airplane to roll towards the opposite wing.
What is the primary purpose of the rudder during flight?
Control yaw and provide directional control
It is operated by the rudder pedals.
What are secondary flight controls?
Trim devices, wing flaps, leading edge devices, and spoilers
These enhance performance and ease of control.
What are spoilers used for?
Disrupt airflow and destroy lift
They are deployed to improve braking effectiveness after landing.
What is the function of trim devices?
Relieve pilot from maintaining continuous pressure on primary controls
They help maintain the desired flight attitude without constant input.
How are trim tabs adjusted?
In the opposite direction of the primary control surface deflection
This adjustment helps relieve control pressure.
