Page 683 - PPL-engelsk 2025

Aircraft general knowledge

8.3.2.2 Monocoque fuselage

Newer aircraft are most often made as shell

bodies, where the shell is load-bearing and

provides strength at the same time as it forms

the outer skin (monocoque fuselage).

8.3.2.3 Semi-monocoque fuselage

A further development of the monocoque structure is called semi-monocoque.

Today's aircraft are made of light metal and are a semi-monocoque structure.

This is called an "all-metal structure".

However, this does not mean that it is all made of metal, but the essential
structural parts in terms of strength are made of metal.

Here, shape and strength-giving profiles
are used, onto which the outer skin is

riveted.

The strength lies partly in the outer skin.

This type of construction is the most common for our small metal aircraft.

Frames and longitudinal strips are used. Frames give the shape of the aircraft,

and together with the skin, they also provide the strength of the structure.

The main spars in the wings pass through the cabin. This part is called the

fuselage.

The next page shows an aircraft with some of its different parts. We will discuss

the most important parts of the aircraft in the following.

Flyveteori PPL(A)(UL)/LAPL Henning Andersen, Midtjysk Flyveskole© 2025 683