AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE

Topic 2.5
Airframe – Nacelles/Pylons

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 INTRODUCTION

On completion of this topic you should be able to:

2.5.1 Describe the construction of nacelles and pylons.

2.5.2 Describe the construction of firewalls.

2.5.3 Describe the construction of engine mounts.

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 NACELLES
Nacelles are used :

• to enclose an engine
in a stream lined
housing to improve
aerodynamics,

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 NACELLE
• to support and protect the engine and its components

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NACELLE

• to direct airflow into the engine

for cooling and combustion

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 NACELLE
• and then direct away from the engine for proper exhaust outflow.

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 NACELLE
Reciprocating engines have baffles inside the nacelle to direct cooling air.

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 NACELLES

Nacelles normally have removable

segments or cowlings, which allow
for access to the engine for
maintenance.

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 NACELLES
They may be constructed of sheet metal and / or composite components, assembled
through a combination of removable fasteners, rivets, and bonding.

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COWLINGS

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 HOLD OPEN STAYS

Hold open stays support the cowlings to enable maintenance.

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UNDERCARRIAGE STOWAGE /
ATTACHMENT

Some nacelles also

include space for
undercarriage
attachment and
stowage.

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UNDERCARRIAGE DOORS
Landing gear doors are also a feature of this type of nacelle.

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 COWL FLAPS
Nacelles may also incorporate :

• cowl flaps for control of engine cooling in a reciprocating engine,

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 AUXILIARY AIR DOORS
• auxiliary air doors for turbine engine operation at low
altitudes and slow speeds.

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 THRUST REVERSER
• thrust reversers or reverser support structures for turbine engines

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THRUST REVERSER

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THRUST REVERSER

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THRUST REVERSER

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THRUST REVERSER

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THRUST REVERSER

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THRUST REVERSER

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 PYLONS
Gas turbine engine pods are attached to the underside of wings or on the aft
fuselage by the nacelle strut / pylon to save on space and weight from
mounting inside the fuselage.

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 PYLONS
The prime function of a pylon is to support the engine and to provide a housing
for electrical cables, fluid lines and associated systems between the engine and
the wing or fuselage.

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 PYLON
Jet fighters use a removable pylon to mount external fuel tanks for longer flights.

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 PYLON
Fighters also use removable pylons to carry weapons.

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 PYLONS
Some military aircraft have large radar systems mounted on pylons.

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 ENGINE MOUNTS
The Engine Mount is the structure employed to attach the engine, engine nacelle
or pod to a wing or fuselage, and may be referred to as a strut or a pylon.

Many aircraft have engine mount attachments designed to allow for quick removal
and installation of complete engines.

This requires that fluid lines, electrical cables, control linkages, and engine
mounting attachments to the airframe be designed for easy separation at or near
the firewall.

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 WING MOUNTED ENGINES
Engines mounted underneath the wing, (modern turbine engines) are
attached by forged metal mounts, which are a part of the pylon or nacelle
strut.

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 FUSELAGE MOUNTED ENGINES
Engines mounted on
the rear section of the
fuselage are also
attached by forged
metal mounts attached
to the pylon.

The mounts are a part

of the reinforced
fuselage structure
designed to carry the
engines loads.

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FORGED METAL ENGINE MOUNTS

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FORGED METAL ENGINE MOUNTS

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FORGED METAL ENGINE MOUNTS

Wing Mounted

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FORGED METAL ENGINE MOUNTS
Fuselage Mounted

Mounts

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 FORWARD MOUNTED ENGINES
Engines that are mounted
on the front of an aircraft
or on the leading edge of
the wing, require a
supporting frame to
attach it to the aircraft.

There are many different

types of frames, but the
majority of them are
constructed from welded
steel tubing with some
forgings and metal plates
attached.

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 RECIPROCATING ENGINES
Vibrations in reciprocating engines are
transmitted through the engine
mount to the aircraft structure.

Therefore, mounts for such engines

must be arranged with some sort of
rubber or synthetic rubber bushings
between the engine and the mount
attaching structure for damping these
vibrations.

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 RECIPROCATING ENGINES
Maximum vibration absorption is obtained when the mounting bolts are tightened so
that the engine can move within reasonable limits, in a torsional (rotating) direction,
but is restrained from any fore and aft movement.

If the bolts are too tight, the mounting structure tends to vibrate with the engine,
which is undesirable.

For this reason, technicians should always consult manufacturer's service manual for
correct torqueing when tightening such bolts.

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 FIREWALLS
Firewalls are required by all engines, auxiliary power units, fuel burning heaters and other
combustion equipment intended for operation in flight.

They are also required for combustion, turbine, and tailpipe sections of turbine engines
to isolate them from the remainder of the aircraft

Firewall

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 FIREWALLS
Firewalls are constructed of fireproof materials such as stainless steel, inconel, or
titanium. These materials provide protection against heat and corrosion.

They must be constructed in

such a manner that no
hazardous quantity of air,
fluids, or flame can pass from
engine compartment to other
portions of the aircraft

All openings must be sealed

with close-fitting fireproof
Firewall
grommets, bushings, or
firewall fittings

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 HEATSHEILDS

The inner cowling of turbine engines are usually manufactured from fireproof
materials such as stainless steel, inconel, or titanium.
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 CONCLUSION
Now that you have completed this topic, you should be able to:

2.5.1 Describe the construction of nacelles and pylons.

2.5.2 Describe the construction of firewalls.

2.5.3 Describe the construction of engine mounts.

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 This concludes Topic 2.5
Airframe – Nacelles/Pylons

This Also Completes Sub-Module

11.3
Aeroplane Structures
Next..you may proceed on
Practical 11.3A,B,C
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