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Aircraft

Density Altitude

Aircraft Performance
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0savesSave The more appropriate term for correlating aerodynamic performance in the nonstandard atmosphere is density altitude—the altitude in the standard atmosphere corresponding to a particular value of air density. Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature. As the density of the air increases (lower density altitude), aircraft performance increases. Conversely, as air density [...]

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Composite Construction (Part Three) – Advantages of Composites

Aircraft Structure
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0savesSave Composite construction offers several advantages over metal, wood, or fabric, with its lighter weight being the most frequently cited. Lighter weight is not always automatic. It must be remembered that building an aircraft structure out of composites does not guarantee it will be lighter, it depends on the structure, as well as the type [...]

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Composite Construction (Part One) – History

Aircraft Structure
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0savesSave The use of composites in aircraft construction can be dated to World War II aircraft when soft fiberglass insulation was used in B-29 fuselages. By the late 1950s, European high performance sailplane manufacturers were using fiberglass as primary structures. In 1965, the FAA type certified the first all-fiberglass aircraft in the normal category, a [...]

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Determining Loaded Weight and CG (Part Five) – Weight Shifting

weight and balance
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0savesSave When weight is shifted from one location to another, the total weight of the aircraft is unchanged. The total moments, however, do change in relation and proportion to the direction and distance the weight is moved. When weight is moved forward, the total moments decrease; when weight is moved aft, total moments increase. The [...]

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Types of Aircraft Construction – Truss Structure

Aircraft Structure
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0savesSave The main drawback of truss structure is its lack of a streamlined shape. In this construction method, lengths of tubing, called longerons, are welded in place to form a well-braced framework. Vertical and horizontal struts are welded to the longerons and give the structure a square or rectangular shape when viewed from the end. [...]

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Determining Loaded Weight and CG (Part Four) – Computations

weight and balance
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0savesSave Computations With a Negative Arm Figure 9-10 is a sample of weight and balance computation using an airplane with a negative arm. It is important to remember that a positive times a negative equals a negative, and a negative would be subtracted from the total moments. Computations With Zero Fuel Weight Figure 9-11 is [...]

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Aircraft Subcomponents

Aircraft Structure
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0savesSave The subcomponents of an airplane include the airframe, electrical system, flight controls, and brakes. The airframe is the basic structure of an aircraft and is designed to withstand all aerodynamic forces, as well as the stresses imposed by the weight of the fuel, crew, and payload. The primary function of an aircraft electrical system [...]

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Major Components (Part Four) The Powerplant

Aircraft Structure
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0savesSave The powerplant usually includes both the engine and the propeller. The primary function of the engine is to provide the power to turn the propeller. It also generates electrical power, provides a vacuum source for some flight instruments, and in most single-engine airplanes, provides a source of heat for the pilot and passengers. [Figure [...]

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Determining Loaded Weight and CG (Part Two) Graph Method

weight and balance
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0savesSave Another method for determining the loaded weight and CG is the use of graphs provided by the manufacturers. To simplify calculations, the moment may sometimes be divided by 100, 1,000, or 10,000. [Figures 9-6, 9-7, and 9-8] Front seat occupants………………………………340 pounds Rear seat occupants ………………………………..300 pounds Fuel ………………………………………………………..40 gallons Baggage area 1 ………………………………………..20 pounds [...]

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