Co-Pilot Class Pre-Work   page 5 of 7

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Aircraft Parts - Basic Components   We're almost done.   You'll need to know what the different parts of an airplane are called and what they do. Otherwise you won't be speaking the same language as your instructor.   The fuselage is that portion of the aircraft that usually contains the crew and payload (passengers, cargo, weapons, etc).   The wing is (obviously) the most important part of an aircraft since it produces the lift that allows a plane to fly.   The other key component that (which provides 'thrust' to makes an airplane go) is its engine, or engines.   If an aircraft consists of only a wing or a wing and fuselage, it is inherently unstable. The horizontal stabilizer, also known as the horizontal tail, provides stability in pitch. The vertical stabilizer, or vertical tail, provides stability in yaw.