If you’re an anxious flyer, you probably think about all that can go wrong during a flight. The usual sounds an airplane makes as it prepares for takeoff might lead to a racing heart and sweaty palms. You’ve likely heard how flying is safer than driving, but that fact might do little to ease your anxiety.
There are common parts of an airplane that everyone should know. Why should you bother learning this? They say knowledge is power, and these facts may ease your nerves. We don’t expect you to become a frequent flyer, but hopefully this information helps you feel better.
Wings
Let’s start off with an easy one and talk about the wings of an airplane. Much like a bird, this important part helps tremendously by providing the lift the plane needs to get into the air. The biggest wings are in the middle of the plane, which most folks notice right away. There is also a smaller set on the rear.
These components make up the wing:
- Ailerons
- Flaps
You can find ailerons on the edge of each wing. They look like flaps, but they help the aircraft roll back and forth. Think of them as siblings who constantly bicker and insist on doing the opposite of each other. When one aileron goes up, the other goes down.
Flaps are closer to the body of the plane, though they’re still on the wing. These components help with the lift of the plane. While not all planes have this component, they assist with providing a smoother landing or takeoff.
Fuselage
Have you ever wondered if the plane’s body has a special name? The answer to that question is yes. This part is called the fuselage.
On a commercial aircraft, this is where you and all the other passengers sit. The fuselage also houses your luggage, as it counts the cargo section under your feet. Incidentally, the flight crew and pilots spend their time in here, too.
Everyone should know this common part of an airplane, seeing as it’s fun to say. You will take your aviation trivia to new heights with fuselage in your vernacular.
Tail
While we’re talking about fancy-sounding names, the tail of the plane also has an elevated name called the empennage. All these words come from France, so maybe this is a sign that you should treat yourself to a trip to Paris.
The tail assists in providing the airplane with stability. It accomplishes this job with these three parts:
- Vertical stabilizer
- Rudder
- Horizontal stabilizer
- Elevator
The vertical stabilizer looks like a fin on a fish’s body. This portion of the tail helps keep the front of the aircraft flying straight. The rudder, on the other hand, assists in turning the plane left or right. You can find this on the back of the vertical stabilizer.
When you think of the direction of the horizon, you’ll find the horizontal stabilizer. Going back to our fish example, these resemble the fins on the side of the body. These components help with the plane’s lift.
You now know some of the most common parts of the airplane. By learning the functions of these devices, we hope you feel better about flying.
