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Home , Aileron, Aircraft, Canard (aeronautics), Elevator (aeronautics), Empennage, Flap (aeronautics)

National and Space Administration

GRADES 5-8 Parts of an

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate parts of an airplane

Museum inin aa BOX SerSeriesieieXs

www..gov (Photo courtesy(Photo of NASA)

Materials: In the Box None User by Provided None

ime Requirements: 1 hour ime Requirements: T 5-8 tives

Learn about the abilities of technological design and design about the abilities of technological Learn as and understandings about science components, individual identify they identify or manufacturer. of design regardless

1. Objec will: Students In this lesson, students will learn about the abilities of technological design and understandings of science and In this lesson, students will learn about an components of an aircraft, first learning how to identify them, then gaining technology as they analyze the individual works. understanding of how each component Lesson OverviewLesson Parts of an Airplane Parts

GRADES parts of an airplane

MUSEUM IN A BOX 2

Background

Any , whether it’s a car, truck, , airplane, or , is made up of many individual component parts. Some components are common amongst a variety of , while others are exclusive to specific types. Occasionally, a component is modified and given a different name, although its basic principle of operation remains intact. This lesson is designed to look at those individual components and allow students to not only identify them, but to understand how they work together to create a functioning aircraft.

Figure 1 shows a typical airplane with its major components listed. Many external airplane components are constructed of metal alloys, although composites made of materials such as carbon fiber and a variety of fiberglass resins are becoming more popular as technology improves.

Winglet

Vertical Antenna Windshield MUSEUM IN A BOX Slat

Horizontal Stabilizer

Cockpit

Elevator

Strut

Empennage Fig. 1 Airplane Diagram

Aileron The are located at the rear of the wing, typically one on each side. They work opposite to each other, meaning that when one is raised, the other is lowered. Their job is to increase the on one wing while reducing the lift on the other. By doing this, they roll the aircraft sideways, causing the aircraft to turn. This is the primary method of a fixed-wing aircraft.

Antenna There are numerous radio antennas located around an aircraft, their size and position corresponding to the type of work each antenna must perform and the frequencies being transmitted or received. The GPS antenna, for example, is always mounted to the of an airplane. This is because the GPS satellites are in Space, and therefore always above the aircraft. As a general rule, longer antennas are used for radio and navigation (VHF frequencies), while shorter antennas are reserved for higher frequency data such as the GPS signals and the transponder, which provides with information about the aircraft’s position and altitude.

Cockpit The cockpit, sometimes referred to as the , is where the pilots sit. It contains the flight controls, which move the airplane, as well as all the buttons and switches used to operate the various systems.

Elevator As the name implies, the elevator helps “elevate” the aircraft. It is located on the tail and directs the nose of the aircraft either upwards or downwards (pitch) in order to make the airplane climb and descend. parts of an airplane parts of an airplane 3 path Propeller Direction of Flight Fig. 2 Fig.

. 2).

e a “high lift / high ” device. Not only do they improve the lifting ability of the wing at slower speeds by speeds by the lifting ability slower of the wing at Not only do they improve device. “high lift / high drag” e a

pushing the air behind it (Fig ar Flaps means an This drag. more but when extended fully they also create or curvature of the wing, the , changing without gaining in the process. (or lose altitude) faster, can descend aircraft Fuselage is the portion literally of the airplane used to shaped”, “spindle meaning “fuselé” word the French from fuselage, The It the passengers and holds body of the aircraft of as the thought is commonly the other partsjoin, or fuse, together. inside. safely and cargo Stabilizer Horizontal (push) on the force a downward simply an upside-down is quite provide stabilizer to horizontal designed The wing, keeping the that, for compensate to is required force nose-heavy traditionally are tail. and this downward of level the and therefore the angle of the stabilizer Some can control aircraft of the aircraft. with the rest nose level in place. fixed while others are while in flight, force downward Rudder It a rudder on a to on the tail of the aircraft. identically works located the vertical to rudder is attached stabilizer, The however, the boat Unlike as yaw. to left the nose of the aircraft steer and right; this motion is referred helping to boat, it is not the primary Its certain or friction, counteract main purpose method of steering. is to types ensuring of drag, the side. than sliding out to rather the nose, tail follows the aircraft’s that Flap name is the empennage The an ”. feather “to meaning “empenner,” word the French from stems name This rudder and the and vertical tail section horizontal including both the stabilizers, aircraft, of the the entire to given its to guide the aircraft helping arrow, on the the feather to identically it works unit, a combined As the elevator. destination. Engine , as eight or as many one, airplane least An has at many are There fly. the needed to which provide but all performtoday aircraft makes and models on different of the in front the same basic function taking of the air that’s it and pushing it out behind the aircraft. accelerating aircraft, perform aircraft this function compressing Jet powered by use aircraft while propeller-powered the air using turbines, propeller the In general, engine. the to mounted a propeller while forward pulling the aircraft like a big screw, works parts of an airplane

MUSEUM IN A BOX 4 Slat A slat is a “high lift” device typically found on jet-. Slats are similar to the flaps except they are mounted on the of the wing. They also assist in changing the camber, or curvature of the wing, to improve lifting ability at slower speeds.

Spoiler The spoiler’s function is to disrupt, or spoil, the flow of air across the upper surface of the wing. They are usually found on larger aircraft, which can have two types installed. The in-flight spoilers are small and designed to reduce the lifting capability of the wing just enough to allow the aircraft to descend quicker without gaining airspeed. Although the flaps can also perform this function, the spoiler is intended to be used temporarily, while the flaps are typically used for longer durations such as during the approach and . The ground

spoilers (Img. 1) typically deploy automatically on landing and MUSEUM IN A BOX are much larger than their in-flight cousins. They are used to (Public Domain) completely destroy the lifting ability of the wing upon landing, ensuring that the entire weight of the airplane rests firmly on the Img. 1 Ground spoilers on an 320 aircraft , making the more effective and shortening the length of needed to stop the aircraft.

Struts The are part of the undercarriage, more commonly known as the . Their function is to absorb the impact of the landing as the aircraft touches the ground. Each contains a (a collection of springs), hydraulic oil and gasses which work together to reduce the impact felt by the passengers (Img. 2).

(Photo courtesy of NASA) On some aircraft, such as those used by student pilots, the struts are made entirely out of spring steel. This Img. 2 The straight leg landing gear of the Atlantis type of steel is treated in such a way that it can absorb the shock of repeatedly, bending automatically back into shape (Img. 3).

(Photo courtesy of NASA)

Img. 3 A NASA modified 190 parts of an airplane parts of an airplane 5 (Photo courtesy of the ) Air courtesy States (Photo of the United (Photo courtesy (Photo of www.NASAimages.org) A Lockheed C-69 Constellation The winglet of a KC-135A cargo plane cargo winglet of a KC-135A The Img. 4 Img. Img. 6 Img. (Photo courtesy (Photo of www.NASAimages.org)

A modified carrying the Space

Wing for the flight. the majoritydesigned Its shape is specifically for of the lift wing provides an airplaneThe requires to the fuel required store of the wing is also used to the interior On most aircraft, which it is attached. to aircraft the engines. power Winglet Its the end of each wing. at which is located called a winglet, an additional component Some have aircraft not only allows This the air. as it pushes through the wing produces (or air resistance) the drag reduce purposeto is refuelling. without to fly longer distances it allowing but also means it burns less fuel, fly faster, the airplane to Wheel a minimum of three have most aircraft While another part or landing gear. wheels are The of the undercarriage, filled wheels are aircraft Typically support 6). to (Img. more weight their immense many require aircraft larger wheels, changes very gas of nitrogen in altitude little with changes is because the pressure This of air. instead with nitrogen experience. constantly which is something aircraft or temperature, Vertical the stabilize vertical to designed is The stabilizer use a most aircraft While left-right motion of the aircraft. the Lockheed such as C-69 models, some single stabilizer, stabilizers. smaller 4), use multiple, (Img. Constellation Windshield made from is usually on smaller aircraft windshield The while pressurized a type of , polycarbonate, called airplanes and glass layers, use a sandwich of plastic is necessaryThis insects absorb the impact to may and other debris that of birds, thick. 20mm up to a laminate, speed of sound. to the as the airplaneat close with the windshield flies collide Img. 5 Img. Shuttle Enterprise parts of an airplane

MUSEUM IN A BOX 6 Activity 1 Plane Parts

GRADES 5-8 Time Requirement: 1 hour

Materials: Objective:

In the Box Students will learn about the abilities of technological design and understandings about

science and technology as they identify individual aircraft components, regardless of None design or manufacturer. Provided by User Activity Overview: MUSEUM IN A BOX None In this activity, students will identify and label the major components of an aircraft as well as discuss the purpose of each part. Worksheets

Plane Parts (Worksheet 1) Activity:

Plane Parts Quiz 1. Provide each student with a copy of both worksheets and Figure 1 from the (Worksheet 2) Reference Materials section.

Reference Materials 2. Next, discuss the Background information with the students. During the discussion, be sure to note that although every airplane looks somewhat different, the names and Figure 1 functions of each part are the mostly the same.

3. Have the students complete Worksheet 1 by identifying and labeling the Key Terms: components of each aircraft.

None 4. Have the students study the various components in greater detail, either using the Internet or by providing them with a copy of the Background information in its entirety. The students should then use the information from their research to complete Worksheet 2.

parts of an airplane parts of an airplane 7

Background information.

Plane Parts Quiz - Answer Sheet Quiz Parts - Answer Plane

Yaw is the name given to the left-to-right motion of the nose of the aircraft. to the left-to-right motion of the nose Yaw is the name given

others? With a , the entire horizontal surface of the tail moves, as opposed to an elevator, where the With a stabilator, the entire horizontal surface of the tail moves, as opposed to horizontal stabilizer remains stationary while just the elevator moves. What is a -style airplane? wings are forwards of the elevator, in the Canard design the Unlike a traditional airplane where the elevator is placed ahead of the wings. and a ? What is the difference between a spoiler and a spoiler. They are often used on faster aircraft where A spoileron is a combination of an aileron aileron would be unacceptable. Instead, a single the additional drag generated by the lowered the lift on that wing, causing it to drop and the aircraft to wing’s spoileron is raised, which reduces any additional roll in that direction. The spoileron on the other wing remains in place, eliminating drag that would’ve been caused by an aileron. What is the difference between a stabilator and an elevator? A spoiler is designed to interrupt the airflow over the wings. This causes the wings to produce less lift This causes the wings to produce less lift to interrupt the airflow over the wings. A spoiler is designed be achieved by simply lowering the nose. and as such, descend quicker than could are they and how does each design differ from the There are four main types of flaps; what of each can be found in the Plain, Split, Slotted and Fowler. Details column or control stick, what will the airplane do? If the pilot pushes forwards on the control elevator on the rear of the aircraft, lifting the tail, which By pushing forwards, the pilot lowers the This results in the aircraft descending. conversely points the nose downwards. aircraft’s pitch to make it climb or descend. to make it climb aircraft’s pitch is which time one wing of the aircraft, during name given to the side-to-side Roll: Roll is the the other is lowered. raised while Yaw: on each wing, that operate in opposite has two parts, installed one Which aircraft component up and one down)? directions (i.e., one Ailerons come from? the terms “fuselage” and “empennage” What language do French why would a pilot use it? What is a spoiler and Describe the following aircraft motions: the following aircraft Describe an The pilot changes the nose of the aircraft. up-down motion of name given to the Pitch: Pitch is the

9. 8. 6. 7. 5. 4. be answered if Internet access is available for additional research. The following questions should only covered within the Background information. For time purposes, this material is not 2. 3. 1. Worksheet 2 Questions Worksheet

parts of an airplane

MUSEUM IN A BOX 8 Plane Parts Quiz - Answer Sheet NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS 5-8

SCIENCE AS INQUIRY • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry • Understandings about scientific inquiry

PHYSICAL SCIENCE • Structure and properties of matter • Interactions of energy and matter

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY • Abilities of technological design • Understanding about science and technology MUSEUM IN A BOX

parts of an airplane parts of an airplane 9

Reference Materials Fig. 1 Airplane Diagram

Winglet

Vertical Stabilizer Wing Flap Antenna Fuselage Windshield Spoiler Rudder Slat

Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron

Cockpit

Elevator

Strut Engine

Empennage Wheel Fig. 2 Propeller Path

Direction of Flight

Student Worksheets 2 3 Wing Wheel Rudder Winglet Fuselage Fuselage Windshield 4 1 Word Bank Word Flap Engine Aileron Cockpit Elevator Empennage 5 12 11 Plane Parts Plane 10 9 6 8 7 12. ______9. ______10. ______11. ______5. ______6. ______7. ______8. ______1. ______2. ______3. ______4. ______Worksheet 1 1 Worksheet

MUSEUM IN A BOX 16

4. 3. 2. 1. Worksheet 2

What isaspoilerandwhywouldpilotuseit? What languagedotheterms“fuselage”and“empennage”comefrom? (i.e., oneupanddown)? Which aircraftcomponenthastwoparts,installedoneoneachwing,thatoperateinoppositedirections Roll: Pitch: Describe thefollowingaircraftmotions. Yaw:

Plane Parts Quiz

17 MUSEUM IN A BOX

Plane Parts Quiz - Research Questions Quiz Parts - Research Plane

What is the difference between a stabilator and an elevator? What is the difference between a spoiler and a spoileron? What is the difference between a spoiler What is a Canard-style airplane? If the pilot pushes forwards on the control column or control stick, what will the airplane do? forwards on the control column or control If the pilot pushes There are four main types of flaps; what are they and how does each design differ from each other? each design differ and how does flaps; what are they four main types of There are

9. 8. 7. 6. 5. Worksheet 2 (cont.) (cont.) 2 Worksheet

MUSEUM IN A BOX 18 Images Img. 1 Ground spoilers on an Airbus 320 aircraft

(Public Domain)

MUSEUM IN A BOX 20 Img. 2 The straight leg landing gear of the Space Shuttle Atlantis

(Photo courtesy of NASA)

21 MUSEUM IN A BOX Img. 3 A NASA modified Cessna 190

(Photo courtesy of NASA)

MUSEUM IN A BOX 22 Img.4 A Lockheed C-69 Constellation

(Photo courtesy of The United States AIr Force)

23 MUSEUM IN A BOX Img. 5 A modified Boeing 747 carrying the Space Shuttle Enterprise

(Photo courtesy of www.NASAimages.org)

MUSEUM IN A BOX 24 Img.6 The winglet of a KC-135A cargo plane

(Photo courtesy of www.NASAimages.org) Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Museum in a BO SerieXs

parts of an airplane

www.nasa.gov EP-2010-12-466-HQ