Transportation Unit 3 - Flight

Introduction Fixed Wing Heavier than air, atmospheric transportation vehicles sustain flight by utilizing the scientific principle of lift. Airplane control is accomplished by altering a combination of three primary flight control surfaces: ailerons, rudder, and elevator. Fixed Wing Heavier than air, atmospheric transportation vehicles sustain flight by utilizing the scientific principle of lift. Airplane control is accomplished by altering a combination of three primary flight control surfaces: ailerons, rudder, and elevator.

Parts of a Fixed Wing Aircraft Fuselage Fuselage Ailerons Ailerons Flaps Flaps Empennage Empennage Horizontal Stabilizer Horizontal Stabilizer Elevator Elevator Vertical Stabilizer Vertical Stabilizer Rudder Rudder

Forces affecting Lift

Axes and Movement

Roll / Bank Roll / Bank Movement along a longitudinal axis. Used to turn the aircraft left or right. Movement along a longitudinal axis. Used to turn the aircraft left or right. Pitch Pitch Movement around a lateral axis. Used to make the aircraft climb or descend. Movement around a lateral axis. Used to make the aircraft climb or descend. Yaw Yaw Movement around the vertical axis. Used to adjust the aircraft against a cross wind. Movement around the vertical axis. Used to adjust the aircraft against a cross wind.

Scientific Principles of Flight There are two main principles of flight. There are two main principles of flight. Bernoulli’s Law of Pressure Differential Bernoulli’s Law of Pressure Differential Newton’s Third Law of Motion Newton’s Third Law of Motion

Bernoulli’s Law When the velocity (speed) of a fluid is increased at a particular point, the pressure in the fluid will decrease. When the velocity (speed) of a fluid is increased at a particular point, the pressure in the fluid will decrease. On an airplane, the airfoil shape of the wing causes the air flowing over the top to flow faster, thus causing decreased pressure. On an airplane, the airfoil shape of the wing causes the air flowing over the top to flow faster, thus causing decreased pressure. Control surfaces change the surface of the wing in either decreasing or increasing the pressure Control surfaces change the surface of the wing in either decreasing or increasing the pressure

Newton’s 3 rd Law of Motion For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This applies to the lift action created by the wing and the thrust created by the propellers and/or jets This applies to the lift action created by the wing and the thrust created by the propellers and/or jets

Wing factors affecting lift Span is the measure of one wing tip to the other. Span is the measure of one wing tip to the other. Chord is the measurement from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing. Through the center of the wing. Chord is the measurement from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing. Through the center of the wing. Aspect Ratio is the relationship between the span and the chord. Calculated by dividing the span by the cord. Higher aspect ratios have a higher lifting capacity. Aspect Ratio is the relationship between the span and the chord. Calculated by dividing the span by the cord. Higher aspect ratios have a higher lifting capacity.

Wing Factors affecting Lift Angle of Attack, Is the angle at which a wing cuts through the air. As angle of attack increases lift general increases, to a certain point. Angle of Attack, Is the angle at which a wing cuts through the air. As angle of attack increases lift general increases, to a certain point. Stall is when the angle of attack is too great and lift cannot be generated. Stall is when the angle of attack is too great and lift cannot be generated. Angle of incidence is the angle that the wing is attached to the fuselage. A slight angle of incidence provides a built in angle of attack. Angle of incidence is the angle that the wing is attached to the fuselage. A slight angle of incidence provides a built in angle of attack.

Primary Flight Control Surfaces The Three primary control surfaces are the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. The Three primary control surfaces are the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. The right and left ailerons work in opposite direcetions. The right and left ailerons work in opposite direcetions. Ex. When the right aileron is in the up position the left is in the down position. Ex. When the right aileron is in the up position the left is in the down position. The elevators work in unison (moving the same direction at the same time.) The elevators work in unison (moving the same direction at the same time.)

Control Surface Alterations Roll (bank)- The ailerons control banking. The plane will bank in the direction of the up aileron. Roll (bank)- The ailerons control banking. The plane will bank in the direction of the up aileron. Left (up) Right (down) = Left bank Left (up) Right (down) = Left bank Left (down) Right (up) = Right Bank Left (down) Right (up) = Right Bank Pitch - The elevator, controls pitch by moving up and down. The nose of the plane will pitch up or down in the direction of the elevator. Pitch - The elevator, controls pitch by moving up and down. The nose of the plane will pitch up or down in the direction of the elevator. Up = Up Up = Up Down = Down Down = Down

Control Surface Alterations (cont) Yaw – The rudder, controls yaw by moving left and right. The plane will yaw left and right in the same direction as the rudder. Yaw – The rudder, controls yaw by moving left and right. The plane will yaw left and right in the same direction as the rudder. Left = Left Left = Left Right = Right Right = Right

Understanding Control Surfaces An increased camber (round upper half of wing) will increase lift. An increased camber (round upper half of wing) will increase lift. Ailerons up = smaller camber and lift is decreased. Ailerons up = smaller camber and lift is decreased. Ailerons down = larger camber and lift is increased. Ailerons down = larger camber and lift is increased.

Glide Ratio Glide Ratio is the distance an unpowered aircraft will glide for each unit of altitude. Glide Ratio is the distance an unpowered aircraft will glide for each unit of altitude. Ex. A glide ratio of 10:1 means that an airplane with the propulsion turned off will travel 10ft of distance for every 1ft of altitude lost. Ex. A glide ratio of 10:1 means that an airplane with the propulsion turned off will travel 10ft of distance for every 1ft of altitude lost. Calculating Glide Ratio Calculating Glide Ratio Can be found by launching a glider from a known altitude. Measure the flight distance, divide distance by altitude. Can be found by launching a glider from a known altitude. Measure the flight distance, divide distance by altitude.

Center of Gravity The center of gravity of an glider is the concentrated balance point of the airplane. The center of gravity of an glider is the concentrated balance point of the airplane. It is also where the three axis of movement take place. It is also where the three axis of movement take place. The center of gravity should located at the center of the wings. The center of gravity should located at the center of the wings.

Dihedral Angle Some planes if you look at the plane from the front have a slight upward angle to the wings. Some planes if you look at the plane from the front have a slight upward angle to the wings. This slight angle will help with the stability of the plane against cross winds. This slight angle will help with the stability of the plane against cross winds.

Impacts of Air Transportation Technological Impacts Technological Impacts Fastest Delivery Times Fastest Delivery Times Led to space transportation Led to space transportation Societal Impacts Societal Impacts Food from anywhere in the world Food from anywhere in the world Organ transplants Organ transplants Biological Impacts Biological Impacts Noise Pollution Noise Pollution Air Pollution Air Pollution

Biological Impacts Cont. Statistically there are more deaths per passenger miles in cars compared to planes. Statistically there are more deaths per passenger miles in cars compared to planes. The death ratio between cars and planes is 34:1 The death ratio between cars and planes is 34:1