Definition
The structural components of an aircraft, including the fuselage, wings, empennage (tail section), landing gear, and associated control surfaces, but excluding the powerplant (engine) and avionics.
Plain English
The physical body and structure of the aircraft itself — everything that holds it together and gives it shape — not counting the engine or the electronic equipment.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA certification, maintenance, and inspection discussions, especially when distinguishing airframe work from engine work.
Derivation
A straightforward combination of 'air' and 'frame.' 'Frame' comes from Old English meaning a structure or supporting framework. So an airframe is literally the framework that flies — the structural skeleton of the aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must recognize airframe limits to avoid structural damage from excessive loads, turbulence, or hard landings.
Intuition Check
Do not read “airframe” as the whole airplane. In FAA and maintenance use, it usually means the aircraft structure and related parts, separate from the engine and propeller.
Example Sentence 1
Before the flight, the mechanic signed off the annual inspection in the airframe logbook.
Example Sentence 2
During the annual inspection the mechanic examined the entire airframe for corrosion and cracks.