Introduction to Flight May the Fourth Be With

Introduction to Flight May the Fourth Be With You!

Airplanes • At any one time there are over 8, 000 commercial airplanes in the skies, carrying over 1. 6 Million people to their destinations. • Airplanes are a marvel of engineering, overcoming GRAVITY and DRAG and creating THRUST and LIFT.

LIFT • LIFT occurs when air flows over and under the wings of an airplane. • Wings are generally curved on top and flat on the bottom. • The curved part allows air to flow quickly over. • The flat allows air to hit, pushing the plane up and creating LIFT

GRAVITY • GRAVITY is the force that keeps all objects stuck to the Earth’s surface. • GRAVITY has to be overcome in order for an object to fly. • We measure GRAVITY using weight. Weight is the amount of gravitational force holding you onto the Earth. • An airplane weighing 900, 000 pounds will need to be able to create enough THRUST and LIFT to overcome that weight. That tis why planes have such large engines and long wings.

THRUST • • THRUST is the force that pushes the airplane forward. LIFT and THRUST are both created by the airplane. THRUST is created by propellers, or engines, or both. A very fast car can produce THRUST, but would need wings to produce LIFT in order to fly.

DRAG • • DRAG is the opposite of THRUST. DRAG is the contact between the airplane and the air. The shape of an airplane it designed to reduce DRAG. Airplanes (and birds) have a similar design.

Other Flying Machines • Hot air balloons use warm air to create LIFT • Rockets use powerful engines to create THRUST • Helicopters use propellers to create LIFT and propeller angles to create THRUST

Natural Flight • Animals must use and overcome the same forces as any flying machine. • Bees’ wings move in a circular motion, creating lift. • Birds can Glide, soar, or flap. • A dragonfly can fly in 6 different directions including backwards. They can roll or somersault and even fly across the whole ocean!

Drone Regulations – Part 107 Rules • Our drone must weigh under 55 lbs. • We must have our drone in sight at all times. • We may not fly our drone over anyone not participating in our event. • We must yield to aircraft • We may not fly over 400 ft. • We may not go over 100 mph.