2.2 Aircraft Tools and Materials

• Aircraft materials: metals and non-metals
• Properties of aircraft materials (physical and mechanical)
• Aircraft tools and their functions
• Safety and maintenance of aircraft tools

• explain the properties of common materials used in aircraft construction
• describe the functions of aircraft tools
• describe the safety precautions when using aircraft tools
• maintain tools used in aircraft construction
• appreciate the use of tools and materials in aircraft construction

“Why must aircraft materials and tools be chosen and used carefully?”

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1. Aircraft tools and materials
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   The materials used to build aircraft (metals and non-metals) and the properties they need (light, strong, corrosion-resistant), the aircraft tools and their functions, the safety and precision required, and why materials and tools must be chosen and used with great care.
2. Metals and non-metals
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Aircraft materials sit in two families - metals and non-metals - and every part on a JKIA jet or a Wilson Cessna belongs to one of them.
3. Aluminium alloys
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Why aluminium alloy is the main airframe metal: light, strong as an alloy, and corrosion-resistant, with cladding and typical skin uses.
4. Titanium in aircraft
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Titanium is strong, fairly light and heat-resistant, so it is used in engines and high-stress hot parts, but cost keeps it off the whole airframe.
5. Steel in aircraft
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Steel is very strong and hard, so landing gear, mounts and many fasteners are steel - but it is heavy, so it is used sparingly.
6. Composite materials
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Composites (fibres in resin, often with a honeycomb core) are light, stiff and do not rust - used on modern wings and panels, with special repair and dust care.
7. Plastics, rubber, glass and fabric
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Non-metals that are not composites still do essential jobs: clear windows, tyres and seals, some glazing, and fabric covering or interiors.
8. Physical properties
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Physical properties describe the material without bending it: density, melting point, thermal and electrical conductivity, appearance and magnetism.
9. Mechanical properties
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Mechanical properties describe behaviour under force: strength, hardness, toughness, elasticity, ductility and fatigue resistance.
10. Matching material to part
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Strength-to-weight and the job of the part decide the material: skin, gear, hot engines, windows and tyres each need a different match.
11. Corrosion in aircraft
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Corrosion eats metal when air, water and often salt meet a damaged surface; alloys, cladding, paint and inspection are the defences, especially at the coast.
12. Heat-resistant materials
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Engine zones get hotter from intake to exhaust; aluminium stops, titanium and nickel alloys continue, and steel fire-shields protect the rest of the airframe.
13. Aircraft tool groups
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Group aircraft tools by job: measuring, marking, cutting, holding, driving, and aviation-special tools such as rivet guns and torque wrenches.
14. Measuring and inspection tools
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Aircraft work is measured, not guessed: steel rule, caliper, micrometer, plus eyes, light, mirror and gauges for inspection.
15. Aircraft hand tools
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Spanners, screwdrivers, files and aviation snips: matching size and type so the nut, screw and sheet are not ruined.
16. Drills and rivets
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Most airframe joints are riveted: drill the correct hole, then form the rivet with gun and bucking bar so two skins are clamped.
17. The torque wrench
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    A torque wrench tightens a fastener to a stated value: too loose works free, too tight stretches or snaps the bolt.
18. Tool safety and PPE
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Safe use of aircraft tools: personal protective equipment, the right tool, a secured workpiece, and hangar habits expected in KCAA-approved organisations.
19. FOD and tool control
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Foreign Object Debris is anything left where it can harm the aircraft; shadow boards, counts and chits are how hangars stop missing tools from flying.
20. Care and maintenance of tools
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Maintaining aircraft tools is a safety job: clean, inspect, calibrate, oil, store and account - a blunt or lying tool makes a wrong aircraft part.