Despite the fact that airplanes are recognized as the safest mode of transport, many people are afraid of flights. In fact, swinging wings are the norm for modern air transport, and they should swing. But why is this needed, why do aircraft designers use such a solution? Does this make the aircraft more vulnerable?
Wings swaying during turbulence are a guarantee of safety during a flight. To understand this, it is enough to study their design.
Device wing aircraft
The wing of the aircraft has a complex structure, it is not a solid piece of metal. In addition to the typical form, which improves the aerodynamic qualities of air transport, it has a number of other features. In order to make a safe take-off or landing, the wing should have some indicators, and in order to ensure flight at altitude - others. Because of this, the wings of aircraft are not stationary, they have movable elements that allow you to change the area and curvature of this element with respect to the board. The wing is mechanized, consists of many elements, it is mobile in nature.
How the wing attaches to the fuselage
Of course, the wing is not welded to the aircraft body. It is attached by power beams - spars and other auxiliary elements to the center section, and the center section is attached to the fuselage also by powerful beams, only longitudinal, or frames.This design is extremely reliable, it can withstand heavy loads. This is necessary, because the wing is faced with effort not only from air currents. There are engines on it, often - and a supply of fuel.
If the wing was fixed rigidly, had a direct connection with the fuselage, it would most likely come off during take-off. However, a certain mobility, which is defined by such a system, makes it relatively flexible, but in any case returning to its form. This provides the system with reliability under external loads.
Interesting fact: the strength and elasticity of the wing of a modern aircraft may surprise. In tests, the wing of the Boeing 777 was broken only when it was bent 7.3 meters from its original position.
Wing load calculation
The wing of the aircraft has loads of different types. This is the weight of the wing, aerodynamic loads, as well as the weight of the fuel tanks, which can be full or empty. Accordingly, in each individual case, the loads will be different, this must be calculated. But in any case, the wing should remain dynamic - at least in order to adapt to this possible difference.
What do the experts say?
The first domestic aircraft with a non-stationary wing was developed by Russian aircraft designer Tupolev. In the ranks of people related to aviation, there is a demonstration bike about the wing mobility of his TU 114 aircraft. Outside observers, observing the test flight, asked the aircraft designer why the wing was flapping.He replied that if it had not waved, it would have fallen off. And this answer can be considered fully comprehensive on this issue.
When should the wing fluctuate?
An observing passenger may notice the first signs of mobility of an airplane wing during takeoff. At the time of take-off and take-off, the wings can fluctuate greatly, and after taking off from the ground, the system comes into balance. At this moment or later, the wing flaps extend, you can see how the mechanisms used to transform the wing work. If the flight takes place in a calm environment, then the next time the fluctuations will be noticeable already at the landing.
But if the plane falls into turbulence, the wings begin to move again. Thus, vibration absorption occurs, the board can move in the prescribed mode. The system works flawlessly, you should not worry about such phenomena.
The amplitude of the oscillations can vary, it all depends on the technical indicators of a particular side. On some small aircraft, it is almost invisible, but on the Airbus A-380 it is simply huge. But in any case, its presence is the norm, because this aspect is carefully calculated by the engineers before the release of a new series of aircraft, and in the future.
Thus, the wings of the aircraft swing, because they are not attached directly to the fuselage. Their fixed mounting would lead to an accident. Moving, they provide a stable flight for air transport, eliminate troubles at the time of take-off, landing, getting on board in turbulence.This is a completely normal occurrence, and aircraft are rightly recognized as the safest mode of transport.
