Parts and their Functions
Wings:
For any airplane to fly, it must generate enough lift to lift the weight of itself, the fuel, the passengers, and the cargo. The wings are responsible for generating most of the lift to hold the airplane in the air. To do so, the wings must be pushed through the air to resist counteracting motion in the form of aerodynamic drag.
Winglets:
Most modern airliners have winglets at the tip of their wings to help reduce the drag forces.
Engines:
In most modern airliners, turbine engines are located under the wings are used to generate thrust to overcome drag and push the airplane through the air.
Smaller, low-speed aircraft, uses propellers for the propulsion system instead of turbine engines.
Tail:
The Tail is located at the back of the airplane and usually has a fixed horizontal section, called the horizontal stabilizer, and a fixed vertical section, called the vertical stabilizer. These stabilizers help provide stability to the aircraft, keeping it to fly straight.
Rudder:
The hinged part of the vertical stabilizer is called the rudder. It is used to deflect the tail to the left and right, implementing the motion of yaw.
Elevator:
The hinged part of the horizontal stabilizer is called the elevator. It is used to deflect the tail up and down, causing the motion of pitch.
Aileron:
The outboard hinged part of the wing is called the aileron. It is used to roll the wings from side to side.
Spoilers:
Most airliners can also be rolled from side to side by using the spoilers. Spoilers are small plates that are used to disrupt the flow over the wing and to change the amount of force by decreasing the lift when the spoiler is deployed. This means that they are also able to manipulate the lift and drag.
Flaps:
Located closer to the body of the airplane than the ailerons, the flaps are used to increase lift and drag. The flaps are deployed downward on takeoff and landing to increase the amount of force produced by the wing.
Slats:
The slats are located at the front of the wings, and are used during takeoff and landings.
Fuselage:
The fuselage is the body of the airplane and holds all the pieces together. The pilots sit at the front of the fuselage. Passengers and cargo are carried in the rear of the fuselage. Some aircraft carry fuel in the fuselage, while others carry the fuel in the wings.
Cockpit:
The cockpit is located at the front of the fuselage. The pilots sit in the cockpit to fly the airplane.
Astounding Aerospace 