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A former is an object, such as a template, gauge or cutting die, which is used to form something such as a boat's hull. Typically, a former gives shape to a structure that may have complex curvature.

A former may become an integral part of the finished structure, as in an aircraft fuselage, or it may be removable, being used in the construction process and then discarded or re-used.

Aircraft formers

Formers are used in the construction of aircraft fuselage, of which a typical fuselage has a series from the nose cone to the empennage, typically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The primary purpose of formers is to establish the shape of the fuselage and reduce the column length of stringers to prevent instability.^[1] Formers are typically attached to longerons, which support the skin of the aircraft.

The "former-and-longeron" technique (also called stations and stringers) was adopted from boat construction,^[2] and was typical of light aircraft built until the advent of structural skins, such as fiberglass and other composite materials. Many of today's light aircraft, and homebuilt aircraft^[3] in particular, are still designed in this way.

Disposable formers

A former may instead be a temporary shape over which a structure is built, the former subsequently being discarded in whole or part, as follows:

Strip-built boat construction uses formers over which thin plank strips are applied and glued.^[4] In some cases, some of the formers may be incorporated as structural ribs.
In civil engineering, bridge building, and architecture, arches may be built upon a wooden former, which is removed once the keystone is securely in place.

References

^ Michael C. Y. Niu (1988). Airframe Structural Design. Conmilit Press LTD. pp. 376.
^ Boat builder site
^ ... such as the ARV Super2
^ Boat building with strip planking

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[1] Michael C. Y. Niu (1988). Airframe Structural Design. Conmilit Press LTD. pp. 376.

[2] Boat builder site

[3] ... such as the ARV Super2

[4] Boat building with strip planking

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 Formers are used in the construction of aircraft [[fuselage]], of which a typical fuselage has a series from the [[nose cone]] to the [[empennage]], typically perpendicular to the [[Flight control surfaces#Longitudinal_axis|longitudinal axis]] of the aircraft.  The primary purpose of formers is to establish the shape of the fuselage and reduce the column length of stringers to prevent instability.<ref>Michael C. Y. Niu (1988). ''Airframe Structural Design''. Conmilit Press LTD. pp. 376.</ref>  Formers are typically attached to [[longeron]]s, which support the skin of the aircraft.
-The "former-and-longeron" technique (also called stations and stringers) was adopted from [[boat building|boat construction]],<ref>[https://timwestonboats.com Boat builder site]</ref> and was typical of [[light aircraft]] built until the advent of [[structural skin]]s, such as [[fiberglass]] and other [[composite materials]]. Many of today's light aircraft, and [[homebuilt aircraft]]<ref> ... such as the [[ARV Super2]]</ref> in particular, are still designed in this way.
+The "former-and-longeron" technique (also called stations and stringers) was adopted from [[boat building|boat construction]],<ref>[https://timwestonboats.com Boat builder site]</ref> and was typical of [[light aircraft]] built until the advent of [[structural skin]]s, such as [[fiberglass]] and other [[composite material]]s. Many of today's light aircraft, and [[homebuilt aircraft]]<ref> ... such as the [[ARV Super2]]</ref> in particular, are still designed in this way.
 ==Disposable formers==