Annex: The Airbus wing |
The diagrams below show the breakdown of wing parts
for a typical Airbus planein this case, the A380.
The front and rear spars are large U-shaped girder-like
structures running nearly the entire length of the wing that carry
the load of the aircraft to the wings. In flight, the fuselage
hangs from the spars while the wing provides the lift. The spars
also provide the wing with its lateral stiffness and bear the
The leading edge and trailing edge are joined to
the front and rear spars respectively. They are attachment points
for the moveable surfaces on the wing (flaps, ailerons, spoilers,
The wing ribs form the aerofoil shape of the wing
and are positioned along the wing, forming bridges between the
two spars and giving the wing shape and stiffness perpendicular
to the spars. Combined with the spars, the ribs form the frame
of the wingbox.
The covers enclose the wingbox structure. The upper
cover is mostly uninterrupted while the lower cover is more complex
with holes cut in it to accommodate access ports and connection
points for landing gears, engine pylons and fuel access. Covers
are also referred to as skins.
Moveable surfaces are front and rear moving parts
that are designed to create lift and control in flight. They include
the flaps, slats and ailerons.
The wingbox is the term used to describe the central
wing, consisting of the two spars, ribs and covers, supporting
the leading edge and trailing edge, and the fuel tanks.
141 Source: DTI Back