The moving parts or surfaces on the body of an aircraft, is the subject of this fifth post.
Today, we will discuss the moving parts/surfaces on an aircraft and how they are controlled. These surfaces main function is to steer and control the aircraft during flight. Most of the moving parts are on the wing, in addition to the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical stabilizer or the rudder.
Let us start with the wing moving surfaces:
Besides the main function of the wing which is generating lift to carry the weight of the aircraft, it is also the tank or reservoir for the fuel.
In a small plane, like a Cessna 152 or 172 there are 2 moving parts attached to the wing. These parts are called: the FLAPS and the AILERONS. Usually these parts are moved and controlled by wires and pulleys attached to the control wheel or control stick.
- The purpose of the FLAPS is to increase the area of the wing, and thus generating more lift at lower air-speeds.
- While the AILERONS function is to bank the aircraft left or right making it turn to the desired direction.
While in big jets like an Airbus A321 or Boeing 777, there are many moving parts attached to the wing like: The SLATS, the FLAPS, the AILERONS, and the AIR-BRAKES or the SPOILERS. These surfaces are moved and controlled by hydraulic controllers with an order from the pilot through actuators connected to the control wheel or the joystick.
- The SLATS function is similar to that of the FLAPS, from the leading edge of the wing.
- AIR-BRAKES are used in flight so the aircraft loses height quickly without increasing its speed. On ground are used once the aircraft touches down to transfer the weight of the aircraft from the wings to the gears or the tires.
The horizontal stabilizer moving surfaces:
The horizontal stabilizer shape is symmetrical, unlike the airfoil shape of a wing. Once the pilot pulls back or pushed forward on the control wheel or joystick the stabilizer moves up and down, thus making the aircraft nose up or down leading the aircraft to climb or decent. There is also another smaller surface attached to the horizontal stabilizer which is called the trimmer that helps in easing the pressure on the control wheel of the aircraft.
The vertical stabilizer moving surfaces:
The vertical stabilizer or the RUDDER is also symmetrical in shape. The RUDDER helps the aircraft to move around vertical axis and thus pointing the nose of the aircraft to the desired direction the pilot wants. These controlled maneuvers are essential during the take-off and the landing phases of the flight.
Today, we will discuss the moving parts/surfaces on an aircraft and how they are controlled. These surfaces main function is to steer and control the aircraft during flight. Most of the moving parts are on the wing, in addition to the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical stabilizer or the rudder.
Let us start with the wing moving surfaces:
Besides the main function of the wing which is generating lift to carry the weight of the aircraft, it is also the tank or reservoir for the fuel.
In a small plane, like a Cessna 152 or 172 there are 2 moving parts attached to the wing. These parts are called: the FLAPS and the AILERONS. Usually these parts are moved and controlled by wires and pulleys attached to the control wheel or control stick.
- The purpose of the FLAPS is to increase the area of the wing, and thus generating more lift at lower air-speeds.
- While the AILERONS function is to bank the aircraft left or right making it turn to the desired direction.
While in big jets like an Airbus A321 or Boeing 777, there are many moving parts attached to the wing like: The SLATS, the FLAPS, the AILERONS, and the AIR-BRAKES or the SPOILERS. These surfaces are moved and controlled by hydraulic controllers with an order from the pilot through actuators connected to the control wheel or the joystick.
- The SLATS function is similar to that of the FLAPS, from the leading edge of the wing.
- AIR-BRAKES are used in flight so the aircraft loses height quickly without increasing its speed. On ground are used once the aircraft touches down to transfer the weight of the aircraft from the wings to the gears or the tires.
The horizontal stabilizer moving surfaces:
The horizontal stabilizer shape is symmetrical, unlike the airfoil shape of a wing. Once the pilot pulls back or pushed forward on the control wheel or joystick the stabilizer moves up and down, thus making the aircraft nose up or down leading the aircraft to climb or decent. There is also another smaller surface attached to the horizontal stabilizer which is called the trimmer that helps in easing the pressure on the control wheel of the aircraft.
The vertical stabilizer moving surfaces:
The vertical stabilizer or the RUDDER is also symmetrical in shape. The RUDDER helps the aircraft to move around vertical axis and thus pointing the nose of the aircraft to the desired direction the pilot wants. These controlled maneuvers are essential during the take-off and the landing phases of the flight.
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