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