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Aircraft Structure - Topic 2.3
Aircraft Structure - Topic 2.3
Topic 2.3
Airframe - Stabilisers
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INTRODUCTION
On completion of this topic you should be able to:
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STABILISER CONSTRUCTION
Stabiliser construction is very similar to that of the wings.
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STABILISER CONSTRUCTION
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STABILISER CONSTRUCTION
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STABILISER MOUNTS
On pressurised aircraft,
stabiliser mounts are
usually associated with
the same structure as
the rear pressure
bulkhead as this
structure provides the
strongest load path.
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STABILISER MOUNTS
Vertical Stab
Horizontal Stab
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Most aircraft have a cantilever type horizontal stab.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Some aircraft have separate horizontal stabs which are
attached to the fuselage by large hinge mounts.
The stabiliser is allowed to pivot about the aft hinges as the
forward hinges are attached to a jackscrew.
Example –
Boeing 737
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Aft hinge
Forward hinge mounts
mounts attached
to jackscrew.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Some large
horizontal stabs
are one piece,
joined together by
a structural centre
section.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Centre section fits into aft fuselage or vertical fin by rear spar pivots, and actuating
arm attaches to a jackscrew support which enables stab actuation.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Some smaller horizontal
stabs are moveable one
piece control surfaces,
joined together by a
structural centre section.
Example - Piper
Cherokee
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
They are attached to the fuselage by hinge points and are actuated by a control cable
attached to a counter balanced torque tube.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Some aircraft stabs are separate fixed surfaces, that have elevators on the aft edge.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
These stabs are generally multi-spar construction.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
The spars extend out through the inner rib and are fitted and bolted in place inside the
fuselage.
Forward Spar
Aft Spar
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
The forward spar is fitted through this opening and bolted to the structure.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Some horizontal stabs are one piece fixed surfaces.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
The stab is joined together by a structural centre section which has attachment holes for
bolting to the aircraft.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
The centre
section is bolted
to the aft
bulkhead
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Some horizontal stabilisers are mounted on the fuselage with a positive dihedral to
provide additional stability.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Some aircraft use a V-Tail configuration, which serves the same functions as the
three surfaces of conventional tails.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Some aircraft have a twin tail-boom configuration to allow one forward and one aft
mounted engine to provide thrust in line with the centre of the fuselage.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Horizontal stabs are removed from wing turbulence and propeller
slipstream by locating them at the top of the fin.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Horizontal stabs
are also mounted
at the top of a fin
to remove them
from jet exhaust.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
Pivoting
stabiliser can
sometimes be
called a
stabilator.
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HORIZONTAL STABILISER
However when fitting any horizontal stab, they must all be checked for correct
symmetry.
Vertical stabs are similar between aircraft in the way that they are all fixed surfaces.
They too require symmetry checks when fitted to ensure that they are symmetrical
with the wings and fuselage.
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VERTICAL STABILISER
Vertical stabilisers have a
similar construction to
horizontal stabilisers,
although there are no
provisions for them to
actuate.
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VERTICAL STABILISER
They are mounted via solid anchor points on the aft fuselage along
the centre line of the longitudinal axis.
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CONCLUSION
Now that you have completed this topic, you should be able to:
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This concludes Topic 2.3
Airframe - Stabilisers
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