You are on page 1of 18

Section VII

Systems

STRUCTURES
DESCRIPTION
The aircraft structure features semi-monocoque construction
incorporating aluminum alloys, steel alloys and composite materials.
Areas subject to high temperatures are made of fire resistant materials.
Areas subject to liquid or condensation accumulation are provided with
drain ports.

The aircraft structure, in general, is fabricated from aluminum alloys.


Alloy steels, stainless steel and titanium are used where advantageous
to strength endurance, weight, or heat protection. Composite materials
are used mainly for weight reduction. Attention is given to surface
finish, corrosion protection and fairings to minimize gaps.

10 Sep 2006 VII-51-1


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-1. Aircraft Metal Parts

VII-51-2 10 Sep 2006


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-2. Aircraft Composite Parts

VII-51-3
Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-3. Aircraft Glass, Acrylic and Rubber Parts

VII-51-4 10 Sep 2006


Section VII
Systems
FUSELAGE STRUCTURE
The fuselage structure is a semi-monocoque design comprising
frames, bulkheads, longerons, stringers and skin. It is constructed in
four sections: forward fuselage, forward cabin, center fuselage and aft
fuselage. The fuselage is joined to the wing carry-through structure
(CTS). The engines are attached to the fuselage at the pylons. The
fuselage also incorporates attachment fittings for the empennage and
nose landing gear.

Radome
The radome is optimized for electrical and aerodynamic performance.
It has lightning strike and rain erosion protection and sealed from water
penetration.The radome is made of honeycomb / fiberglass epoxy. Its
geometry is designed to accommodate a 14” weather radar antenna.

Nose Section
The nose section is unpressurized. Its geometry is designed to
accommodate the avionics bay with left and right side doors. The nose
section structure consists mainly of:
• Frame 1 (machined aluminium)
• Pressure bulkhead frame 6 (machined aluminium)
• Side beam (machined aluminium
• Skins & formers (aluminium sheet metal)
• Upper longerons (machined aluminium)
• Deck (aluminium sheet metal)
The central deck is essentially flat and supports the avionics boxes.
The nose section contains portions of the avionics system, the nose
landing gear and nosewheel steering systems, the power brake valve,
and the oxygen storage bottle.

10 Sep 2006 VII-51-5


Section VII
Systems
Cockpit Structure
The cockpit is located between frames 7 and 16. The cockpit canopy is
located forward of frame 13. The windshields and side windows are
made of glass. The windshields and side windows supporting structure
is made of machined aluminum. The cockpit floor is located between
frames 6 and 17.

The cockpit includes the following systems supporting sub-structures:


• Instrument Panels
• Pedestal
• Side Consoles
• Overhead panel
The cockpit interior contains:
• Pilot and copilot seats and Tracks
• Control columns and pedals
• Two air outlets
• Airconditioning outlets
• Glareshield
• Map lights
• Dome lights

VII-51-6 10 Sep 2006


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-4. Cockpit Structure

10 Sep 2006 VII-51-7


Section VII
Systems
Entrance Door
The airstair door is located on the forward left fuselage between frame
13 and frame 16. The door comprises of a removable assembly, an
inflatable seal, fuselage seal and actuating/locking mechanism. The
door is a semi-plug type rotating around two lower hinges. The door
can be opened from inside or outside the aircraft when the cabin is
depressurized. When the internal or external door handle is operated,
the unlocking mechanism is activated and the door opens outward.

Door opening is limited by two telescopic rod assemblies and


controlled free fall is assisted by a damper assembly. During door
deployment, a collapsible handrail automatically deploys. When the
door is fully opened, it is supported on a door rest which is
automatically released when a door handle is operated.

The door is mechanically raised by pressing a button to release a


spring-loaded handle on the handrail. The door is balanced and
assisted by two air springs for easy raising. Frame structure provides a
message when the door is not securely closed and locked.

The door is sealed in closed position by two seals: conventional and


inflatable. A pressure sensor monitors the pressure in the inflatable
seal and causes the EICAS DOOR SEAL PRESS LOW message to
come on if pressure is not sufficient to fully inflate the seal. In this case
the conventional seal is designed to maintain cabin pressurization. A
microswitch senses the position of the door locking mechanism. If the
microswitch senses that the door is not locked, it sends a signal,
causing the red EICAS CABIN DOOR UNLOCK warning message
to come on. A signal is also sent to the cabin pressurization controller,
causing it to enter DUMP mode if altitude is below 14,000 ft. A Cabin
Door Reset pushbutton is provided in the cabin adjacent to the door.
Pressing the Cabin Door Reset pushbutton for two seconds causes the
EICAS CABIN DOOR UNLOCK warning message to change to a
white status message and cancels the signal to the cabin
pressurization controller.

VII-51-8 10 Sep 2006


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-5. Entrance Door

10 Sep 2006 VII-51-9


Section VII
Systems
Forward Cabin
The forward cabin section has four panels: upper, left, right and lower,
made of aluminum skin and ten sheet metal frame segments. The left
and right panels are attached to upper and lower panels to form
constant section between Frame 17 and Frame 28.

Four oval stretched acrylic windows are installed on each side within
forged aluminum ring frames. The cabin floor has a center aisle, 20
inches wide and 5 inches deep and is equipped with seat tracks for the
passenger seats. The inboard sides of the aisle are equipped with
composite adapters to house the aisle and emergency path lights.

Center Fuselage Section


The center fuselage section is located between frames 28 and 43 and
is approximately 3600 mm (141.7 inches) long. This section includes
the aft cabin, cabin emergency exits, aft pressure bulkhead, fuselage
fuel tank, CTS (wing carry-through structure), Main landing gear bay
and doors. Hydraulic, flight controls, ECS and fuel system components
are located in and routed through this section.

VII-51-10 10 Sep 2006


Section VII
Systems
Emergency Exits
There are two emergency plug-type exit doors. Each door is located
over the wing on each side of the aircraft between frames 29 and 31.
The emergency exit door is type IV, 483 mm (19 inches) wide and 660
mm (26 inches) high. The door structure is integrally machined
aluminum part

The emergency exit doors can be opened from either the inside or the
outside of the aircraft, when operating the corresponding handle. Each
emergency door seats in a door frame which has fourteen fixed stops.
The emergency door has fourteen fixed stops symmetrically installed
to correspond to those on the door frame. Two adjustable receptacles,
located at the bottom door frame have slots to accommodate two
positioning pins on the bottom of emergency exit door.

The door is locked in position by two latch pins, located in the door
handle. When the handle is operated, the emergency exit door is
released inwards.

Aft Fuselage
The aft fuselage section starts from the aft pressure bulkhead at station
10,824 mm (426.1 inches) and ends at the tail cone. The aft fuselage
includes the baggage and service compartments, engine pylons,
empennage and houses the following main components: batteries,
generator control units, fire extinguishers, APU, horizontal stabilize trim
actuators, DC boxes, flight data recorder and HF receiver(s).

10 Sep 2006 VII-51-11


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-6. Fuselage Sections

VII-51-12 10 Sep 2006


Section VII
Systems
WING STRUCTURE
The left and right wings and the carry-through structure (CTS) are
assembled as a single unit. The CTS is attached to the lower fuselage.
The CTS is located between fuselage frames 28 and 35. The CTS is
an integral fuel tank. Fuel system collector tanks are located at the
center of CTS. Cabin floor attached to upper surface of the CTS.

The main load carrying structure of the wing is a torsion box,


comprising of front spar, rear spar, partial center spar and ribs. Each
wing incorporates an aileron, four air brakes, trailing edge flaps,
leading edge slat and integral fuel tank. Fuel drains are provided at the
wing lower surface.

10 Sep 2006 VII-51-13


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-7. Carry-Through Structure (CTS)

VII-51-14 10 Sep 2006


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-8. Main Access Panels

10 Sep 2006 VII-51-15


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-9. Wing Top View

VII-51-16 10 Sep 2006


Section VII
Systems
EMPENNAGE
The empennage is comprised of a fully cantilevered swept back
vertical stabilizer and a horizontal stabilizer, both of semi-monocoque
design. Each has front and rear spars, chordwise ribs, spanwise
stringers and skin. The vertical stabilizer carries a rudder with trim tab.
The horizontal stabilizer pivots at its rear end and is attached to an
electrically driven actuator at its forward end. It carries the left and right
elevators. Each elevator has front and rear spars and full depth
composite construction. Each elevator carries a geared tab. Both
stabilizers have drainage holes in their lower surfaces.

10 Sep 2006 VII-51-17


Section VII
Systems

Figure 7-51-10. Empennage

VII-51-18 10 Sep 2006

You might also like