Aircraft Structure
Wing Commander Prasobchok Poonsong
Instructor Brief Biography
AFAPS Class of 37, RTAFA Class of 44
B.S./M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, USA
M.S. in Flight Test Engineering, National Test Pilot School, USA
CT-4E Aircraft Maintenance Course, New Zealand
Aircraft Operation Manual Course, SAAB, Sweden
Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Texas, USA
Air Force Command and Staff Course, China
objectives
Students understand and are able to explain functions and types of aircraft
structure
Students can accurately identify different components of aircraft
Student understand and are able to describe types of forces acting on
aircraft structure
Students are able to choose fasteners for different parts of aircraft structure
Students can select tools that are suitable for each type of structure works
Students understand different types of aircraft structure inspections and are
able to select inspection type for various structures
grading
End of Class Quizzes (10 x 5) 50 points
Class attention and participlation 10 points
Mid-term exam 15 points
Final exam 25 points
Total 100 points
Course outline
Introduction
Functions and types of aircraft structure
Stresses on aircraft structures
Structural components of Fixed-wing aircraft
Structural components of Rotary wing aircraft
Fasteners and tools
Aircraft structure inspection
introduction
• An “aircraft” is a machine that is able to fly by gaining support
from the air. (Wikipedia)
• Aircraft include
Airplane/Fixed-wing,
helicopter/rotary wing, glider,
dirigible, hot-air balloon,
drone and, UAV
• Aviation are human activities
that surrounds aircraft
introduction
• The airframe of a fixed-wing aircraft consists of five principal units: the
fuselage, wings, stabilizers, flight control surfaces, and landing gear.
introduction
• Helicopter airframes consist of the fuselage, main rotor and related gearbox,
tail rotor (on helicopters with a single main rotor), and the landing gear.
introduction
• Airframe structural components are constructed from a wide
variety of materials.
• The earliest aircraft were constructed primarily of wood
followed by steel tubing and the most common material,
aluminum.
• Many newly certified aircraft are built from molded composite
materials, such as carbon fiber.
introduction
introduction
• Structural members of an aircraft’s fuselage include stringers, longerons, ribs,
bulkheads, and more.
introduction
• The main structural member in a wing is called the wing spar.
• The skin of aircraft can also be made from a variety of materials, ranging
from impregnated fabric to plywood, aluminum, or composites.
introduction
• The entire airframe and its
components are joined by
rivets, bolts, screws, and
other fasteners.
• Welding, adhesives, and
special bonding techniques
are also used
