Plain English Meaning

Internal walls inside the fuselage that give the aircraft its shape and strength, much like the internal walls of a building.

Full Definition

Vertical structural partitions inside an aircraft fuselage that divide it into sections and provide rigidity, helping carry loads and maintain the shape of the airframe.

Context Anchor

Seen in airframe structure discussions, maintenance records, and inspections of the aircraft body.

Derivation

From the old nautical term for upright partitions inside a ship's hull. Aircraft borrowed the word because the role is the same: walls inside the structure that divide it into compartments and add strength.

Why Pilots Care

Bulkheads are essential to keeping the fuselage from deforming, directly affecting structural integrity and flight safety.