Identifier un avion.

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	Différents types d'appareils
Chasseur	Bombardier	Transport
Pursuit (Fighter) Small, single engine (sometimes two), fast, maneuverable, slim.	Bomber Larger than pursuit, two or four engines, fast, level flying, slim bodies, turrets visible.	Transport Thick bodied, large 2 or 4 engines, windows frequently visible.
Seaplane	Flying Boat	Amphibian
Like pursuit, may be larger for crew of 2 or 3. Landing gear consists of floats.	Body of plane is a hull.	Flying boat with retractable wheels in addition to hull. May take off from land or water.
Autogyro	Liaison	Glider
Rotating Wing.	Light plane, unarmed.	Motorless plane towed by aircraft.

 

Différents types d'appareils

Pursuit (Fighter) Small, single engine (sometimes two), fast, maneuverable, slim. Bomber Larger than pursuit, two or four engines, fast, level flying, slim bodies, turrets visible. Transport Thick bodied, large 2 or 4 engines, windows frequently visible.

Seaplane Like pursuit, may be larger for crew of 2 or 3. Landing gear consists of floats. Flying Boat Body of plane is a hull. Amphibian Flying boat with retractable wheels in addition to hull. May take off from land or water.

Autogyro Rotating Wing. Liaison Light plane, unarmed. Glider Motorless plane towed by aircraft.

LES AILES

One Wing: MONOPLANE Two Wings: BIPLANE

PARASOL WING HIGH WING

MID-WING LOW-WING

FLAT WING DIHEDRAL WING

GULL WING INVERTED GULL WING

WINGS

The inner section of a wing may be differently shaped than the outer section. In such a case, the inner section (L.E. and T.E.) is described first, then the outer section (L.E., T.E., and Tip), using the same terms as above.

Alternate Wing-Descriptions

In some publications, the wing is described as shown by the examples below. These are included here for reference only.

STRAIGHT WING SWEPTBACK-TAPERED WING or "TRUE TAPER" WING

SWEPTBACK WING TAPERED WING or SWEPTFORWARD WING

ELLIPTICAL WING TAPERED TO ROOT AND TO TIP

ENGINES

RADIAL Blunt Appearance. Usually air-cooled IN-LINE Pointed appearance. Usually liquid-cooled.

Number

ONE TWO FOUR

Position

OVERWING Engine mounted on top surface of wing.

CENTERED or MIDWING Engine mounted in the wing

UNDERSLUNG Engine mounted on bottom surface of wing.

OVERWING Engine supported above wing.

UNDERWING Engine supported below wing.

FUSELAGE

Long and Slim Medium Short and Stubby

Breaks in Outline COCKPIT ENCLOSURE

Abrupt fore, blends aft; short Abrupt fore, abrupt aft; long

NOSE

Rounded Broken or one-step nose Transparent nose

TURRET

Top and "stinger" in tail Belly

AIR SCOOP BLISTERS

TAIL

Number

Single horizontal, single vertical Single horizontal, twin vertical

Shape The same terms used for describing the wing are used for the tail elements

TAILPLANE Tapered leading edge Curved tailing edge Curved tip FIN and RUDDER Tapered leading edge Tapered trailing edge Square top SPECIAL SHAPES Distinctive shapes may be recognized - this is an oval fin and rudder.

Position Intersection of fin-rudder and tailplane

High-set Mid-set Low-set

In-board Out-board

OTHER

All "other" parts of a plane not included in wing, engine, fuselage, or tail that assist in its recognition should be described. The landing gear is the most important of these other characteristics. Landing Gear Since the landing gear is entirely retractable in most planes it is of little use as a recognition feature while the plane is in the air. Some planes have part of all of the landing gear fixed (non-retractable). Many planes have a non-retractable landing gear which is down, from landing gear which cannot be retracted. Special landing gear is designed for water (floats on seaplanes) and snow (skis).

Completely Retractable Landing Gear Partly retractable wheels; tail wheel not retractable Fixed Landing Gear

Drill yourself on the important recognition features by covering up the description and one or two views unti you can recall what the features are and identify eac plane from only one or two views. Only by constant review can you remember the differences among planes to be able to recognize them the instant you see them. Remember - this may mean the difference between life and death.