What is defined as the structural framework of an aircraft?

The structural framework of an aircraft is known as the airframe. This term encompasses the entire structure of the aircraft, including the wings, fuselage, tail, and supporting structures. The airframe provides the necessary strength and rigidity to withstand various forces and stresses during flight, such as aerodynamic pressure, gravitational loads, and vibrations.

The airframe also serves as the mounting point for other critical components like the powerplant, which consists of the engines, and the control surfaces, including ailerons, rudders, and elevators. Additionally, the cabin, where passengers and crew sit, is part of the airframe but does not represent the entire structural framework. Therefore, when defining the overall structure that holds these components together and gives the aircraft its shape and integrity, the correct term is the airframe.