Aeroplanes are one of the best examples of engineering in history. Today the biggest aircraft that fly in the air carry tons of weight without trouble. Over the past decades, the components of the aircraft have evolved to make the flights easier, faster, and safer. There have been several upgrades in the designs to reach maximum flight quality. There are a few important components that we find in every aircraft today which work together to run a plane. Knowing about these components is crucial for an aircraft engineer. Here are the five main components of an aircraft that have advanced over the years.
Fuselage
The fuselage is one of the major components of an aircraft. It consists of a long hollow tube that makes the body of the aeroplane. It carries the passengers, cargo, or both in it. The area of fuselage includes also includes the cockpit. The pilots sit in the front part of the fuselage and operate the entire aircraft. The fuselage come in different types and sizes based on the type of aeroplane, but it is the body of the plane that holds all the other components together.
Wings
Wings are also an important part of the aircraft for obvious reasons. There have been several changes and upgrades on the wings to fit in for every type of aircraft. They are also known as foils and are imperative for flight. The functioning of the wings generates the airflow which lifts the engine plane for the flight. While the jets and turbines also work in flying the plane, it is the wings that really help. The main wings are located in the middle of the fuselage. The bigger planes also have additional smaller wings near the tail.
Empennage
The tail of the aircraft is called empennage, and it helps in stabilizing the plane. It has two main components – the rudder and the elevator. The rudder makes the aircraft steer in the direction that pilot wants to go. The elevator helps to take the aircraft up and down in the air. The jet aeroplanes can have different mechanics for empennage than the big transport aircraft.
Power plant
The heat of the aeroplane that runs all its components is called the power plant. The power plant includes the engine and the propeller. The aircraft engine is a very complicated machine that needs high-level education. It is much more than pistons and cylinders. The aircraft engine is designed to be powerful enough to take more weight than the entire body of the aircraft. Its components work together to generate power or thrust for the aircraft.
Landing gear
What can be more important than the engine of the aircraft? The Landing gear. An aircraft is no good if it cannot come back to a halt after a successful flight. Maximum attention of the engineers is focused on creating the safest landing gear than can overcome the most extreme situations. Some of its components are shock absorbers, wheels, and the hydraulics that provides the strength to hold the entire body of the plane.