Definition
External support members that connect the wing to the fuselage on certain airplane designs, transmitting flight and landing loads between the wing and the airframe so the wing structure itself can be lighter.
Plain English
Sturdy bars or beams running from the underside of the wing down to the fuselage that help hold the wing in place and carry the loads it experiences in flight.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight inspection and in discussions of the outer wing surfaces and the airplane’s supporting structure.
Derivation
Strut comes from an old Germanic word meaning to stand stiff or rigid. A strut is a stiff support, which is exactly what these members do for the wing.
Why Pilots Care
They maintain wing rigidity and prevent excessive flexing, directly affecting structural safety and flight stability on braced-wing designs.
Intuition Check
Wing struts are not decorative rods or simple handles. They are structural supports that help the wing carry loads safely.
Example Sentence 1
During the walkaround, the pilot inspected both wing struts and their attachment points for any signs of corrosion or damage.
Example Sentence 2
High-wing trainers often rely on wing struts instead of internal spars to keep the wing structure light and strong.