How Do Principles of Flight Apply in Real-Life Aviation Scenarios?

[jasperhoopman]

Hi guys,

I`m a student, and I need to do scientific research in order to answer some questions which have to do with science and math. I then have to write workpiece about it. Since I`m an aviation enthusiast, I've chosen to place my research in the background of aviation. I`ve made a few questions which I have to answer, in order to let the teacher(or other reader) understand the principles of flight. The first question I have to answer is: How does an aircraft stay in the air?. The second is: Which forces are playing a role in the flying proces? The third: Which role plays the wing?

When I answered these questions, I hope that I've made clear what flying exactly is. I will then zoom in on an event which allows me to explain it with the principles of flight. I choose the gimli glider flight, and the question is: What happened here?(to introduce this accident to the readers) and the next question is: How did the pilot brought this bird down safe?(to explain the flying techniques used here with the theory and principles of flight what I discussed in the first part.)

The point now is, that I'm required to do some experiments, which have to bring a better understanding of the theory I discussed. In the part where I explain what flying is, I thought that I could make some use of the Microsoft flight simulator to explain some flying techniques used by the pilot.

My questions to you are:
- What is your opinion of this plan?
- Do you have any recommendations for some experiments which help to explain the theory of flying in a simple, but very usefull way?

Thanks,

Jasper

 

[chaoseverlasting]

Make a paper airplane? That would certainly be simple and it would fly. Overall, it sounds like a good idea. If you're good with computers, you could probably even show a graph illustrating the variation of lift at a given velocity.

Also, if you can you could also solve the problem yourself using bernoulli's equation and assuming an arbitrary surface for the wing.

You could also make a simple paper turbine which would spin if you put it over a candle (using the candle's hot air). I saw this once but I don't know what its called.

 

[thomate1]

Dear Jasper,

It's great to see your enthusiasm for aviation and your desire to incorporate scientific research into your workpiece. I can offer some insights and recommendations to help you answer your questions about aviation.

To begin, let's address your first question: How does an aircraft stay in the air? The answer lies in the principles of flight, specifically the Bernoulli's principle and Newton's third law of motion. Essentially, the shape of the wing and the speed of the air moving over it create a difference in air pressure, allowing the aircraft to generate lift and stay in the air. This is a simplified explanation, and I suggest delving deeper into these principles for a more thorough understanding.

Moving on to your second question: Which forces are playing a role in the flying process? There are four main forces at play in flight: lift, weight, thrust, and drag. Lift, as mentioned before, is generated by the shape of the wing. Weight is the force pulling the aircraft down towards the ground. Thrust is the force that propels the aircraft forward, and drag is the force that resists its movement. These forces must be balanced for the aircraft to maintain steady flight.

Next, you asked about the role of the wing. The wing is a critical component of an aircraft, as it is responsible for generating lift. Its shape, angle of attack, and airfoil design all play a role in how much lift can be generated and how efficiently the aircraft can fly.

Moving on to the Gimli Glider flight, it was a remarkable event that showcased the skill and knowledge of the pilot. The incident occurred when the aircraft ran out of fuel mid-flight due to a miscalculation in the conversion from imperial to metric units. The pilot, Robert Pearson, had to use his flying techniques and knowledge of the principles of flight to glide the plane to a safe landing at an abandoned airfield. This incident highlights the importance of proper calculations and the ability to think quickly and make precise flying decisions in emergency situations.

As for your plan to use the Microsoft flight simulator for your workpiece, I think it's a great idea. It can provide a visual representation of the principles of flight and allow you to simulate different flying scenarios to demonstrate the effects of various forces and techniques.

In terms of experiments, one idea could be to build a small model aircraft and test how changes in the shape of the wing or the angle of attack affect its flight. You could