Terms of Flight Flashcards
(54 cards)
Angle of Attack
the angle between the relative wind direction and the plane of the wing
Angle of Incidence
the angle between the plane of the main-wing and the plane of the fuselage
Lift
the force that pulls the main-wing upwards
Drag
the force that slows down an airplane due to air molecules hitting the surface of the plane
Thrust
the force used to move the airplane forward originating from the engine/propeller
Camber
the curvature of the top of the wing
Center of Gravity
the balancing point of any object
Center of Lift
the point with which the lift average is localized on the wing (first 1/3 of the wing)
Fuselage
the cabin/passenger and the cargo
Empennage
the tail assembly which acts like feathers on an arrow - helps plane fly straight
Cowl
the engine covering (the nose region) to increase streamline
Nacelle
the engine unit as a whole on a multi-engine plane
Spinner
the arrow dynamic nose piece on a propeller
Elevator
controls the pitch (Y-axis) of the plane; located on the empennage
Horizontal Stabilizer
the immobile horizontal part of the plane’s tail-piece that stabilizes pitch (Y-axis)
Vertical Stabilizer
the immobile vertical part of the plane’s tail-piece that stabilize yaw (X-axis)
Rudder
controls the yaw (X-axis) of the plane; located on the empennage
Flaps
the horizontal controller on the main-wing root to increase drag for landing
Aileron
the surface control of bank (rotation); located on the main-wing tips
Trim Tabs
dynamically locks the control surface of the tail-piece keeping the plane level
Wing Strut
the diagonal metal piece connecting the fuselage to a spot on the main-wing for added support
Main Gear
the place where most of the weight sits; the strongest wheel region
Nose Gear
the singular wheel in the nose region for turning
Tricycle Gear
a triangular orientation of wheels (two in the back one in the front)
