What will happen to the cable tension in an all-metal aircraft rigged to correct tension in a heated hangar when operated in very cold weather?

What will happen to the cable tension in an all-metal aircraft rigged to correct tension in a heated hangar when operated in very cold weather?

• A. Increase as the aircraft cools
• B. Decreas when the aircraft structure and cables become cold
• C. Remain unchanged regardless of temperature
• D. Become erratic, varying with the temperature

Answer: (B)

In an all-metal aircraft, the materials used for both the structure and the cables have properties that respond predictably to temperature changes. As the temperature decreases, the metal components, including the cables and the airframe, contract. This contraction leads to a reduction in the length of the cables, which decreases their tension. When an aircraft is rigged to a specific tension in a heated hangar, it is adjusted while the materials are expanded due to the heat. Once the aircraft is taken into very cold weather, the subsequent cooling causes both the aircraft structure and the cables to contract. Consequently, the tension in the cables will decrease because they are effectively becoming shorter and tighter as opposed to being elongated in warmer conditions. Therefore, the tension in the cables will specifically decrease when exposed to colder temperatures, making this the correct and logical answer. The other options do not accurately describe the physical principles at play regarding metal compression and tension in response to temperature changes.

In an all-metal aircraft, the materials used for both the structure and the cables have properties that respond predictably to temperature changes. As the temperature decreases, the metal components, including the cables and the airframe, contract. This contraction leads to a reduction in the length of the cables, which decreases their tension.

When an aircraft is rigged to a specific tension in a heated hangar, it is adjusted while the materials are expanded due to the heat. Once the aircraft is taken into very cold weather, the subsequent cooling causes both the aircraft structure and the cables to contract. Consequently, the tension in the cables will decrease because they are effectively becoming shorter and tighter as opposed to being elongated in warmer conditions.

Therefore, the tension in the cables will specifically decrease when exposed to colder temperatures, making this the correct and logical answer. The other options do not accurately describe the physical principles at play regarding metal compression and tension in response to temperature changes.