What do people use to build real airplanes?

Question

What supplies do people use to build real airplanes for other people to travel in.

Answer 1

Most aircraft primary structure on small general aviation aircraft which are under 12,500 lbs is made out of 2024-T3, T4 and T6 aluminum material.  However there are many part made out of 7075-T6 aluminum.

Answer 2

They use real airplane parts, supplied by real airplane parts manufacturers.

Answer 3

Since the 1940s, most airliners have been made mostly out of aluminum.  In the last decade or so, some of them have included some composite materials (plastics) for significant parts and assemblies.

At the present time, manufacturers of airliners are using increasing amounts of composites for major assemblies.

All airplanes include some steel, some plastics, rubber tires, upholstery materials, plexiglass and/or lexan for windows, copper wiring, tubing and pipes, and a wide variety of other materials in minimal roles.

Modern light airplanes, also used by people for travel, are mostly made of aluminum, with some steel and some plastics, along with all the other materials that might be used.  An increasing number of light airplanes are increasingly made of composites.

Some light airplanes are still made of structural wood and plywood, and fabric, in the traditional ways.  So there exist a wide variety of structural types and systems for airplanes.  For much more information, try an internet search on "aircraft construction."

Answer 4

With homebuilt, or kit airplanes, many are made with a wood framework covered in either fabric or metal.  Others use steel for the framework and either cloth or metal for the outer covering.  Composite aircraft usually use composite materials for the entire airframe and outer skin. You can get a lot of information from a company called Aircraft Spruce who sells parts, kits, and all kinds of neat stuff.  Many homebuilt airplanes are very similar to model RC planes in construction, just a much bigger scale and more precision work.

Answer 5

Aluminum, wire, hydraulic hoses and motors, rivets, steel, titanium, rubber, bearings, seats, avionics.  Plus much more.

Answer 6

Balsa wood and used beer cans?

Answer 7

Glasair III all the way!

Answer 8

Here is the thing, if you build a plane from scratch, its an experimental, which limits how many people you can carry greatly, I think it may be only one but Im not sure.

Its actually not that crazy, people do it all the time, but you do need a certain amount of general knowledge of tools and materials.

One of my favorite experimentals is the Hummel bird, which is less than 250lbs and has a bubble canopy.

Answer 9

Doh... she blonde

Answer 10

Most of the newer airplanes are being made out of a composite material.  

These planes are lighter, stronger and produce less drag because of the lack of rivets.

The Experimental Aircraft Association is a great source for information on home built aircraft.

* I do know  of some planes that LOOK like they're made out of beer cans.  That would truly be experiemental

Answer 11

There are many different types of aircraft

Seeing that you said the one that people travel in, I imagine you are talking about airliners.

Most modern day aircraft are still made of aluminum, though ones like the 787 and the Airbus A350 are being made mostly of composite material. This makes the airplane lighter and more efficient.

There is no airliner you could have been on made of complete composite though