The document summarizes the basic parts of an airplane. It discusses the wings, which generate lift; the fuselage, which is the body; and the engine and propeller, which provide thrust. It also mentions other key parts like the landing gear, fuel tanks, windshield, doors, cockpit, ailerons, elevator, rudder, and flaps. The basic functions of these parts are explained at a high level.

1. PARTS OF AN AIRPLANE Click on this box and edit text to add pilot or teacher name

2. General Aviation planes vary in size and shape but the basic parts remain the same. Cirrus SR20 Piper Seneca Eclipse 500 Aviat Pitts S2C Gulfstream Business Jet Cessna Caravan

3. Airplanes have wings that generate lift. High-wing Low-wing

4. The body of an airplane is called the fuselage .

5. Most General Aviation airplanes have one piston engine that drives a propeller .

6. The engine cowl covers the engine compartment.

7. Typical airplanes have three wheels as part of the landing gear. Above: Tricycle gear, like a bike, has a third wheel in the front. Below: Taildraggers have their third wheel in the back.

8. Fuel tanks are usually located inside the wings.

9. Airplanes have windshields just like a car. Light airplanes don’t need wipers as the propeller blast clears rain away.

10. Airplane doors vary from model to model. Canopy

11. Pilot and passengers sit in the cockpit . Most light airplanes have two, four, or six seats.

12. Ailerons on the rear edge of the wings tilt the wings for a turn or “bank.” Left turn Left turn Left turn Right turn

13. The elevator (on horizontal stabilizer) moves up (or down) to force the nose of the airplane up (or down.)

14. The rudder (on the vertical stabilizer) moves the airplane’s nose left or right, helping it turn. Push left rudder pedal and the plane turns left Push right rudder pedal and the plane turns right

15. Flaps on the wings change the shape of the wing to provide more lift and drag. This allows the airplane to fly slower. Flaps down

16. The basic parts of a airplane. The Main Parts of an Airplane 1. Propeller 2. Landing Gear 3. Right Wing Strut 4. Wing 5. Right Wing Aileron 6. Right Wing Flap 7. Fuselage 8. Horizontal Stabilizer 9. Vertical Stabilizer 10. Rudder 11. Elevator 12. Left Wing Flap 13. Left Wing Aileron 14. Door 15. Fuel Tanks 16. Windshield 17. Engine Cowl

17. To learn more: GO TO WWW.AOPA.ORG/PATH 12/2005