Airplane Components (Empennage-Flight control)

Airplane Components
The major components of an airplane are:
• the fuselage.
• the wings.
• the empennage (tail section).
• the flight controls.
• the landing gear.
• the engine and propeller.

Empennage

The empennage is the tail section of the airplane. It is generally constructed like the

wings and consists of a fixed vertical stabilizer (or fin) to which is attached a movable

rudder, and a fixed horizontal stabilizer with a movable elevator hinged to its trailing

edge.

There are variations in design, some airplanes have a stabilator (all-moving tailplane),

others have a ruddervator (combined rudder and elevator) in the form of a

butterfly tail, and yet others have a high T-tail, with the horizontal stabilizer mounted

on top of the vertical stabilizer.

Flight Controls

The main flight control surfaces are the elevator, ailerons and rudder. They are operated

from the cockpit by moving the control wheel and rudder pedals. In a typical airplane,

movement of the control wheel or rudder pedals operates an internal system of cables

and pulleys that then moves the relevant control surface. Turnbuckles may be inserted

in the cables to allow the cable tension to be adjusted by qualified personnel.

There are usually stops to protect the control surfaces from excessive movement in

flight and on the ground. Stops in the flight control system may be installed to limit

control wheel movement.