Although planes carry a lot of weight, they can achieve lift-off due to their hardworking engines and parts. Many of these parts are composed of alloyed metals since the process of alloying metals improves their properties. While there are millions of components in an airplane, there are five essential airplane parts that are necessary for flight. Here are those five parts.
Wings
Without wings, birds, insects, and planes would be unable to fly. Otherwise known as airfoils, a plane’s wings provide the lift necessary to take off from the runway and stay airborne. Planes usually have two large wings at the front of the aircraft and two smaller wings at the rear near the tail.
Body
The body of the plane, also known as the fuselage, includes the cabin, cockpit, cargo hold, and more. There are many different types of fuselages, and they all provide the space to hold cargo and passengers.
Powerplant
The powerplant is another one of the five essential airplane parts that are necessary for flight. To obtain thrust, many planes use a powerplant. It includes the engine and other components that generate propulsion. Propellers are also considered part of the powerplant since they help create thrust.
Tail
Since the tail controls the plane’s direction, it is vital for a safe, controlled flight. Often called the empennage, it sits at the rear of the plane. The tail uses two main components to direct the left-right and up-down movements. The elevator controls the up-down movements, and the rudder controls the right-left movements of the plane.
Landing Gear
Although flying is fun, you probably want to come back down to the ground at some point. That’s when you will use the landing gear. The landing gear often includes the wheels and shock absorbers, but if you plan to land on water or snow, you can also use floats or skis. Additionally, pilots use the landing gear for a smooth takeoff and taxi around the airport.
