The Science of Flight
The Science of Flight
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
The Science of Flight
Flight has been in the thoughts, imaginations and dreams of many humans since the early stages of humanity. Since 400 BC there has been written proof of mans’ fascination with flight. With the writing of Greek myths of Icarus and the earliest versions of flying contraptions by Archytas, flying has only become more of a dream for humankind. All enthusiasts such as Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi of the Ottoman Empire (1630 AD) to the famed Wright brothers have all shared a common dream, to fly (Marshall 2002). Only within the last one hundred years has the dream to fly become a reality. Through the improvements of science and technology, we now have aircraft capable of flying hundreds of miles per hour and transporting hundreds of passengers. It is only through science that this is possible; it starts with the dynamics of flight, axes and notation, equilibrium, equations of motion, maneuverability, and stability.
Four main forces act on an object in motion. They are thrust, drag, lift, and weight/ gravity. Weight is the force that pulls an object down, towards the center of the earth. Weight is equal to the mass of an object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity. On earth gravity is 9.81 m/s² (W=MG) (Hopkins, 2012). Lift is the opposite force to weight. Thrust is the force that propels the object forward. For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction, therefore the force opposite of thrust is drag. The main forms of drag are pressure, and friction drag. Aerodynamics, engines, wings and flaps are the main factors that affect an aircraft’s ability to fly.
Weight is a force that is always directed towards the earth, vertically, through the planes center of gravity. An airplanes mass would be the weight of all its parts, plus the amount of fuel and its payload. All weight is distributed throughout the entire aircraft but it also acts
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
The Science of Flight
Flight has been in the thoughts, imaginations and dreams of many humans since the early stages of humanity. Since 400 BC there has been written proof of mans’ fascination with flight. With the writing of Greek myths of Icarus and the earliest versions of flying contraptions by Archytas, flying has only become more of a dream for humankind. All enthusiasts such as Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi of the Ottoman Empire (1630 AD) to the famed Wright brothers have all shared a common dream, to fly (Marshall 2002). Only within the last one hundred years has the dream to fly become a reality. Through the improvements of science and technology, we now have aircraft capable of flying hundreds of miles per hour and transporting hundreds of passengers. It is only through science that this is possible; it starts with the dynamics of flight, axes and notation, equilibrium, equations of motion, maneuverability, and stability.
Four main forces act on an object in motion. They are thrust, drag, lift, and weight/ gravity. Weight is the force that pulls an object down, towards the center of the earth. Weight is equal to the mass of an object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity. On earth gravity is 9.81 m/s² (W=MG) (Hopkins, 2012). Lift is the opposite force to weight. Thrust is the force that propels the object forward. For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction, therefore the force opposite of thrust is drag. The main forms of drag are pressure, and friction drag. Aerodynamics, engines, wings and flaps are the main factors that affect an aircraft’s ability to fly.
Weight is a force that is always directed towards the earth, vertically, through the planes center of gravity. An airplanes mass would be the weight of all its parts, plus the amount of fuel and its payload. All weight is distributed throughout the entire aircraft but it also acts
References: Cont. NASA. 11 July 2008. Body Axes. Retrieved from https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/rotations.html NASA. 13 September 2010. Wing Geometry Definitions. Retrieved from http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/VirtualAero/BottleRocket/airplane/geom.html