Airplanes are undoubtedly an extraordinary feat of engineering. Although some trial and error was involved, man has actually discovered a way to get more than 100,000 lbs flying smoothly. Over the past century, the parts of an aircraft have developed to make flights even faster, safer, and efficient.At Greenwood Aerospace, we have an aviation crew that is willing to offer a brie introduction to 5 basic aircraft parts. In general, the essential components of an airplane comprise the fuselage, empennage, wings, powerplant, and landing gear. Additionally, there are subparts of those basic parts that are essential to enable an aircraft to fly as well as different systems that keep the passengers comfortable and the plane running smoothly.

Fuselage

In general, the fuselage is one of the key components of an airplane that comprises a long hollow tube. The fuselage is also referred to as the body of the aircraft. It holds the passengers together with the cargo. Typically, the cockpit is also part of this area. That means that the pilots are situated in the front of the fuselage. Although there are various types of fuselages, all of them connect the critical components of aircraft.

Empennage

The tail end of the airplane is known as the empennage. It assists with maintaining the stability of the aircraft and generally consists of two major parts known as the elevator and the rudder. The rudder assists the airplane in steering from right to left—the elevator assists with the up and down movement.

Wings

Undoubtedly, the wings, also popularly called foils, are key airplane components that are essential for flight. When it comes to flying, most of the lifting force needed is generated by the airflow above the wings. There are usually large wings that originate from the center of the fuselage. Additionally, the wings also comprise of two smaller ones at the tail of most airplanes.

The front of the wing is commonly known as the leading edge. The back of the wing is known as the trailing edge. Typically, these wings are supported and held together by stringers, ribs, and metal spars. They are also covered by a composite, aluminum, or fabric material shell. You can find the flaps and ailerons on their trailing edges, and these are responsible for shaping the wings for various phases of the flight.

Power Plant

The powerplant generally comprises the engine or engines, maybe a propeller (based on the type of engine), as well as the electrical system. You can either find it toward the rear of the aircraft. You can also find it in/on the front of the airplane fuselage. When it comes to multi-engine airplanes, the engines are often found under the wings on every side. Typically, the engine is covered by a cowling that assists in streamlining the flow of air surrounding the engine and keeping it cool.

Landing Gear

The landing gear is a vital component, and there’s no way you can have a safe aircraft without having one. Apart from these components being crucial when it comes to landing, the landing gear is also applied to assist an airplane taxi or takeoff. The landing gear comprises the shock absorbers and the wheels on the aircraft. The shock absorbers are useful in ensuring smooth takeoff and landing. Disc brakes are found in the main wheels and are often controlled with the pilot’s feet.

Regardless if you want new parts, a new airplane, or program support, if you allow Greenwood Aerospace to be part of your team, you won’t regret it. Not only do we bring real-time solutions, but we also decrease downtime and ensure your program remains on track.