FAA Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA)Airframe StructuresMedium
A technician examining a wing structure finds a short rib installed forward of the front spar, extending only from the spar to the leading edge, whose purpose is to maintain the airfoil shape of the leading edge. What is this rib called?
- ABulkhead
- BNose rib
- CMain rib
- DCompression rib
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Nose rib
A nose rib extends from the front (leading edge) spar forward to the leading edge skin to preserve the airfoil contour ahead of the main spar. Compression ribs handle wire-braced truss loads, main ribs run the full airfoil chord, and bulkheads are fuselage structures.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Bulkheads are fuselage frame members, not wing ribs.
- C. Main ribs extend the full chord from leading to trailing edge.
- D. Compression ribs resist compressive loads from wire bracing, not leading edge shape.
Nose Rib
A short wing rib extending from the front spar forward to the leading edge, used to maintain the airfoil contour ahead of the main structure.
- Located only forward of the front (leading edge) spar
- Does not extend to the trailing edge like a main rib
- Common on wings with a single main spar and separate leading edge structure
Memory trick: Nose rib guards just the nose of the wing