Aircraft Structures Flashcards
7 cards from real Airframe Mechanic Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Aircraft Structures flashcards as text
Which type of wing construction uses the skin as the primary load-carrying element with minimal internal framework?
Answer: Monocoque
Monocoque construction relies on the outer skin to carry all or most structural loads, with minimal internal supporting structure.
What effect does cold working (such as shot peening) have on aluminum aircraft structure?
Answer: Introduces compressive residual stress to improve fatigue life
Shot peening induces compressive residual stresses in the surface layer, which counteract tensile fatigue stresses and significantly extend component life.
What is the purpose of a fail-safe design philosophy in aircraft structure?
Answer: Ensure the structure can sustain loads after partial failure until detected
Fail-safe design ensures that if one structural element fails, remaining elements carry loads safely until the damage is found during routine inspection.
When inspecting a tubular steel fuselage truss, which type of damage is most critical to detect at weld joints?
Answer: Cracks or porosity
Cracks and porosity at weld joints represent structural discontinuities that can propagate under cyclic loads and lead to sudden failure.
What is the term for the tendency of a long, slender column to buckle sideways when subjected to compressive loads?
Answer: Euler buckling
Euler buckling describes the instability of a slender column under axial compression, where it deflects laterally rather than compressing uniformly.
Clad aluminum (Alclad) is used in aircraft skin panels primarily to:
Answer: Provide a pure aluminum coating that protects against corrosion
Alclad has a thin layer of pure aluminum bonded to high-strength alloy, providing galvanic protection while retaining the core's mechanical properties.
Which structural component transfers control surface loads into the wing main spar?
Answer: Hinge bracket and torque tube
Hinge brackets attach control surfaces to the wing structure, and torque tubes or push-pull rods transfer aerodynamic hinge moments into the primary spar.