Most critical aircraft part?
Discussion
Ayahuasca said:
Had a passenger joyride recently in an 86 year biplane, powered by the same type of engine that took Lindbergh across the Atlantic.
Whilst hopefully few of the critical parts were actually themselves 86 years old, it did lead me to ponder on what single part, if it were to fail, would be most disastrous (pilot's heart excepted).
I opted for the nut that fixes the elevator cable to the elevator.
Any other thoughts?
Pretty much anything on an aircraft not related to pure passenger comfort or entertainment is there for a purpose - you don't burn fuel lugging crap about that you don't need - and in the correct circumstances the failure of any component or system has the potential to kill you just as effectively as a sudden catastrophic structural failure.Whilst hopefully few of the critical parts were actually themselves 86 years old, it did lead me to ponder on what single part, if it were to fail, would be most disastrous (pilot's heart excepted).
I opted for the nut that fixes the elevator cable to the elevator.
Any other thoughts?
If you want to know the single component that worries me most, then it would be the one that manages to start a fire when airborne, for whatever reason, regardless of where it is on the airframe.
eharding said:
Ayahuasca said:
Had a passenger joyride recently in an 86 year biplane, powered by the same type of engine that took Lindbergh across the Atlantic.
Whilst hopefully few of the critical parts were actually themselves 86 years old, it did lead me to ponder on what single part, if it were to fail, would be most disastrous (pilot's heart excepted).
I opted for the nut that fixes the elevator cable to the elevator.
Any other thoughts?
If you want to know the single component that worries me most, then it would be the one that manages to start a fire when airborne, for whatever reason, regardless of where it is on the airframe.Whilst hopefully few of the critical parts were actually themselves 86 years old, it did lead me to ponder on what single part, if it were to fail, would be most disastrous (pilot's heart excepted).
I opted for the nut that fixes the elevator cable to the elevator.
Any other thoughts?
that was a joke by the way.
dr_gn said:
eharding said:
Ayahuasca said:
Had a passenger joyride recently in an 86 year biplane, powered by the same type of engine that took Lindbergh across the Atlantic.
Whilst hopefully few of the critical parts were actually themselves 86 years old, it did lead me to ponder on what single part, if it were to fail, would be most disastrous (pilot's heart excepted).
I opted for the nut that fixes the elevator cable to the elevator.
Any other thoughts?
If you want to know the single component that worries me most, then it would be the one that manages to start a fire when airborne, for whatever reason, regardless of where it is on the airframe.Whilst hopefully few of the critical parts were actually themselves 86 years old, it did lead me to ponder on what single part, if it were to fail, would be most disastrous (pilot's heart excepted).
I opted for the nut that fixes the elevator cable to the elevator.
Any other thoughts?
that was a joke by the way.
DuraAce said:
rohrl said:
The pilot's control stick? What would he do if it snapped or became detached?
Use the copilot's? (aircraft dependant of course) I'd say main spar. You've a slim chance of a controlled/crash landing of sorts if various controls /systems fail, using engine thrust for directional control etc. If you're wings are no longer attached you are in trouble!
There's also a famous case where a "Zlin" aerobatic aircraft broke it's main wing spar and got down OK. See story three: http://www.historynet.com/the-10-greatest-emergenc...
For me it wouldn't be so much a failure but anything that locked the pitch control system (elevator) wouldn't be good! Loose articles have caused quite a few nasty accidents...
kurt535 said:
4. main spar - things would look very bad for you if this gave up
<Shudder>: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A4QZAxrb28No Bend said:
Contents of the fuel tank.
Not the most criticalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_2...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider
Mojocvh said:
The nut[job?] holding the wheel?
Again not as critical as Pilots like to think.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornfield_Bomber
Dr Jekyll said:
No Bend said:
Contents of the fuel tank.
Not the most criticalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_2...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider
No Bend said:
Dr Jekyll said:
No Bend said:
Contents of the fuel tank.
Not the most criticalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_2...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider
But Original Poster said:
what single part, if it were to fail, would be most disastrous
Clearly 'critical' in this context means safety critical.Munter said:
kurt535 said:
4. main spar - things would look very bad for you if this gave up
<Shudder>: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A4QZAxrb28eccles said:
Munter said:
kurt535 said:
4. main spar - things would look very bad for you if this gave up
<Shudder>: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A4QZAxrb28Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff