Fixed- Wing and Rotary-Wing Parts Catalog

The main difference between the airframe of a fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft is the device used to generate lift. Fixed- wing aircraft include a broad category of machines that operate based on the same basic aerodynamic principle; wings generate lift when there is enough forward speed. The aircraft may or may not be powered, manned, and the wings may or may not be fixed: i.e., kites, gliders, and unmanned aircraft can all be fixed-wing aircraft.

Rotary-wing aircraft, or rotorcraft, use rotors to generate lift. A rotor is a set of blades that revolve around a mast. The rotors blades utilize many of the same aerodynamic principles as a wing; the difference is that flight is supported by the rotors instead of the wings. Helicopters, autogyros, gyrodenes, and rotor kites are all considered classes of rotorcraft.

Wings are listed under structural components, while rudders are listed under powerplants.