#lesson1
#Aircraftoverview
Aircraft systems include controls surfaces, engine, fuel, instruments, pitot-static, vacuum, lights, landing gear, and more.
In this lesson, and the next few lessons, we will cover each of these systems and their functions.
Fuselage - center body of an aircraft, a hollow, tube-like structure that holds all the parts of the aircraft together, including the cockpit, passengers, and cargo
Cockpit-part of airplane that houses people.
Windows, windshield, instrument panel-should be obvious.
Engine cowling -skin of aircraft that shrouds the engine. Engine sits inside that part, usually between cockpit and propeller. There is usually a door that you can open to check the engine and parts before the flight.
Firewall-Behind the engine, is a wall that protects cabin/cockpit from engine fire.
(It is the reference line used in your weight and balance.)
Wings (should be obvious)
Tail: Horizontal stabilizer or Stabilator-main purpose of this horizontal lifting surface. Creates lift and keeps tail elevated.
Vertical stabilizer-vertical part of the tail.
Fuel tanks-are inside the wings.
Fuel cap-on both wings. That’s where you put fuel in and provides a vent at the top and bottom that allows the grip vapor to vent out.
Landing gear-nose gear is in the center, it can turn right or left controlled by rudder pedals that the pilot controls during taxi. It is covered by the ‘wheel faring’ which protects it from wind.
The main gears wheels are under each wing. They are fixed.
Propeller-located on the nose. Usually 2 or more blades that spin.
Antennae’s:
*Comm Antennaes-usually on top of the fuselage, sticking up and a bit aft.
*ELT antennae-smaller on fuselage near comm antenaes.
*VOR antenna on vertical tail. Points to rear of craft.
*Transponder and DME antennae’s-usually under fuselage.
Static discharge wicks, other small ‘sticks’ on surface of the craft, looks like antennae’s but their purpose is to diffuse static electricity.
Control surfaces: Ailerons and flaps-located at rear of wings.
When one aileron is lifted (for lift), the other side is down. Helps with turning.
Tail:
*Vertical tail has a control surface on the back of it- rudder. It can deflect to the left or right.
*Horizontal tail-elevator is controlled by the yoke, when push in and out. Controls more or less lift/pitch of the nose.
*Horizontal fixed stabilizer does not move.
-In some craft the entire horizontal stabilizer and elevator is combined and is a moving/control surface. It’s called a stabilator.
-Some crafts have a trim tab (controlled button wheel) that reduces workload of the pilot by helping with holding altitude. Don’t need to pull on the yoke as often. It’s found on aft side of the rudder/stabilator.
Lights:
*Landing lights-usually under the nose cap of the propellor. Sometimes it can be on the wings.
*Position light- located on edges of the right wings (green) and the left wing tip (red) and the vertical tail (white). Allows others to see your position/direction at night.
*Anti-collision light-flashing red or white and needs to be omnidirectional=seen in all directions, so usually in the highest point of craft, at the top of the tail.
Pitot probe and static port are part of the pitot-static system. This is how you collect air data for your instrumentations like altimeter and airspeeed indicator.
The pitot probe facing directly into freestream air usually under left wing. The static port is usually on the side of the fuselage. There is also an alternate port in case it gets clogged.
We will learn these in further detail in following lessons.
