Vertical Stabilizer

The vertical stabilizer is designed to stabilize the left-right motion of the aircraf t. While most aircraft use a single stabilizer, some models, such as the Lockheed C-69 Constellation, use multiple, smaller stabilizers.

On the edges of each stabilizer are small moveable flaps attached by hinges. The hinged part on the vertical stabilizer is called the rudder.

Rudder

The rudder is attached to the vertical stabilizer, located on the tail of the aircraft. It works identically to a rudder on a boat, helping to steer the nose of the aircraft left and right; this motion is referred to as yaw (рыскание). Unlike the boat however, it is not the primary method of steering. Its main purpose is to counteract (уравновешивать; противодействовать) certain types of drag, or friction, ensuring that the aircraft’s tail follows the nose, rather than sliding out to the side.

The hinged part of the horizontal stabilizer is called the elevator.

Elevator

As the name implies, the elevator helps “elevate” the aircraft. It is located on the tail and directs the nose of the aircraft either upwards or downwards (pitch) in order to make the airplane climb and descend.

Antenna

There are numerous radio antennas located around an aircraft, their size and position corresponding to the type of work each antenna must perform and the frequencies being transmitted or received. The GPS antenna, for example, is always mounted to the top of an airplane. This is because the GPS satellites are in Space, and therefore always above the aircraft. As a general rule, longer antennas are used for radio communication and navigation (VHF frequencies), while shorter antennas are reserved for higher frequency data such as the GPS signals and the transponder, which provides air traffic control with information about the aircraft’s position and altitude.

Struts

The struts are part of the undercarriage, more commonly known as the landing gear. Their function is to absorb the impact of the landing as the aircraft touches the ground. Each strut contains a shock absorber (a collection of springs), hydraulic oil and gasses which work together to reduce the impact felt by the passengers. On some aircraft, such as those used by student pilots, the struts are made entirely out of spring steel (пружинная сталь). This type of steel is treated in such a way that it can absorb the shock of landings repeatedly, bending automatically back into shape.

Wheel

The wheels are another part of the undercarriage, or landing gear. While most aircraft have a minimum of three wheels, larger aircraft require many more to support their immense (огромный, значительный) weight. Typically aircraft wheels are filled with nitrogen instead of air. This is because the pressure of nitrogen gas changes very little with changes in altitude or temperature, which is something aircraft constantly experience.

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