Word on a wing

摘要

The wing spars designed for passenger jets at gkn's new aerospace works at Western Approach, near Bristol, are 27m long but must be accurate to within 0.3mm. Such tight tolerances are needed because many of the important bits of an aeroplane (the fuselage, landing gear, flaps and so on) bolt on to them. But what makes these wing structures special is that they are made solely of carbon-fibre composites, as strong as steel but far lighter, and so easier on fuel consumption.