Concept in Definition ABC

This term is of French origin and specifically comes from the word fuselé, which means tapered. It is said that something is tapered when it has the shape of a spindle, the object that was formerly used for spinning. This term is commonly used to refer to the central part of a airplane.

Parts of an airplane

The body of an aircraft is the fuselage. Its main function is to allow enough space to accommodate passengers, crew members and all cargo. Likewise, this structure functions as a support element for the other parts of the plane: the wings and ailerons, the empennage, the train landing gear and the propulsion plant.

The material used for the fuselage of commercial aircraft has evolved over time

The first flight of an airplane took place in 1903 and was carried out by the Wright brothers. From World War I the production aircraft ceased to be manufactured by hand and began to be manufactured in series. In a second generation of aircraft, began commercial aviation destined to the transport of passengers and merchandise.

In the first generation of aircraft, the fuselage was manufactured from two materials: the wood and the steel. Both made airplanes very heavy and, on the other hand, wood being a degradable material was not very suitable in humid climates.

In the next generation a new material was introduced, namely an aluminum alloy with a heat treatment. This new material was incorporated due to its low density and high endurance. Regarding the shape of the fuselage, it was called monocoque or monocoque, as it was formed only by sheets that covered the body of the aircraft as if they were a helmet. This new structure allowed more space and over time it was perfected with additional elements such as stringers and supports.

Currently the fuselage of commercial aircraft is made with a combination of materials and treatments

The main elements are aluminum and copper. Aluminum is a good conductor of electricity and from heat and is also highly resistant to corrosion. It is combined with copper because this element makes aluminum have better mechanical properties.

Both metals are fused together because they are particularly resistant and in this way the aircraft can withstand pressure changes.

Photo: Fotolia - Tradition