How do planes work!? How the h**l do they stay in the air!?

Question

I am going to Japan in November and i'm very scared of flying...i think itd help me to get over it if i knew what it is that actually makes them stay in the sky...the biggest thing im afraid of is the plane just dropping to the floor....its made of metal it shouldnt be up there!!!! So... please someone tell me why something so heavy doesnt fall out of the sky!!!!

Also if anyone has any advice/reassurance for nervous fliers i'd appreciate it a lot. Thank you :)

Answer 1

Know that the wings are providing lift. Just like when you stick your flat hand out of the door while driving and it raises as you go faster; it is the same principle that makes a plane fly.

As for your fear of flying. Just think of the statistics. There are at thousands of flight taking place around the world on any given day and how often do those flights go down. It's news because in all actuality it is so rare. You will be fine. Enjoy the view and Japan. I wish I was back there myself.

Answer 2

They are compelled to stay in the air by the power of greyskull.

Answer 3

Aerodynamics. 'Managed' by; extremely capable 'Helmsmen.' Enjoy the flight.

Answer 4

It is the shape of the wing that gives a plane the lift to fly. You will notice that it is thicker at the front and thinner at the back. If it was all the same thickness, the plane wouldn;t get off the ground.

Answer 5

the engines of the aircraft is the most important thing. the aircraft stays in the air by the engines, which propel the aircraft forward.the plane would not just drop from the sky.aircrafts are perfectly safe. fact:if air travel was as safe as driving a larg jet carring 125 people would crash EVERYDAY WITH NO SURVIVORS. dont worry just relax. it does not fall out from the sky because of the forcesand the wing, just like birds.

nikki

Answer 6

In principle the theory is about the same as when birds soar.  The air traveling ABOVE the wing is low pressure (compared to below the wing) so the wing is lifted.

But just know that the theory about the same as the birds so it is a proven theory (by God or mother nature, etc.)

Also you should know that there are MANY backup systems.  For instance most multi-engine planes could fly on just one of the engines (after take off). So even if some of the system would fail, it would still fly (and home safely).

Good Luck...

Answer 7

Hello,

(ANS) No.1 ALL Planes, & Jet Aircraft stay in the air due to a law of physics (science), due to the principal of "LIFT".

No.2 Wings create lift because the air flowing over the top surface of the wing has further to travel than the air flowing underneath the surface of the wing. The difference in speed between the top surface & the bottom surface creates lift when the wing is moving forwards.

THEREFORE ITS LIFT THAT KEEPS THE AIRCRAFT IN THE SKY!!

No.3 Powerful jet engines or propellers power the aircraft forwards through space and its this forwards thrust that increases the lift. With powerful modern jet engines & sophisticated wing designs aircraft are capable of lifting mind boggling amounts of weight off the ground, it almost seems like magic it defies gravity.

No.4 If your nervous of flying then thats 100% normal most people are if they are honest. Why? because flying is NOT a normal human activity for most ordinary people. Its an EXTRA ordinary experience NOT an everyday one.

No.5 We fear flying why? because a) we have to trust the technology itself to work and keep us safe b) we have to trust the pilot & crew too do their jobs professionally c) because we have to take our feet OFF the ground d) Because as passengers we have NO! actual control over the process, we have to remain more or less passive cargo in order to get from A to B safely.

No.6 I highly recommend a Bach Flower Remedy called "Rescue Remedy" its available from good whole food stores or from Bach Remedies website online. Rescue remedy should be taken before, during & after the flight this helps keep you calmer and reduces jet lag, and taken afterwards helps get over the worst effects of jet lag much quicker.

Kind Regards Ivan.

Answer 8

There are a number of good references above.  You can also go to the library and ask the librarian for help finding information about what makes airplanes fly.

You can also do an internet search on "how airplanes fly," and you will find tons of information with pictures and diagrams.

Also, try this:  stand out in the yard and watch birds fly.  Does it ever enter your mind that a bird is going to suddenly "fall out of the sky?"  The airplane flies for similar reasons, as far as you are concerned.

I flew across the Pacific ocean almost 800 times over two decades.  The Boeing 747 never fell out from under me.  After a while I quit worrying about it.

You can do the same.  Have a good flight!

Answer 9

Oh dear lord you are my soul mate!

Hehe only joking. When i was very depressed at one point i couldn't sleep for worrying about how aeroplanes stayed in the sky. I found the following link really useful:

http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-airplanes...

If you are scared of flying, take plenty of distractions on board. Keep eating and drinking. Take a pillow to keep yourself comfy, some music, even a pair of slippers will help you relax! Believe me a pair of slippers on a long haul flight makes the journey much more bearable.

There is also a link here that may help explain your fear of flying:

http://www.hypnos.info/cds/flying.html

Also a free online course to help you get over your fear!

http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/

Good luck! Remember why you are doing this...you are going to Japan! An opportunity of a life time :) Now you make sure you have a great time ok!

Answer 10

Planes can fly because their wings generate lift when the engines move the aircraft through the air. It is a fail safe theory and so long as the engines are running, the wings generating lift and all systems are 'go' the flight will be safe.

Today aviation is the safest mode of transport. The aircraft have multiple back-up systems and, therefore, can take care of themselves and all people on board. So take that feeling of unease out of your mind and plan ahead that you will enjoy your flight. Take some reading material and this will help you pass time on board. Uppermost in your mind should be the fact that you are using the safest mode of transportation.

I wish you and safe and enjoyable flight.

Answer 11

Reinforced string attached to a sattelite in space, sometimes on long flights it can snap.  Oops sorry you said you were scared lol.

Answer 12

Just think of a kite.  If you were an ant, that kite would be pretty huge and heavy, right?  Yet, for some reason, kites fly in the sky.

We think of planes as huge and heavy, but in the bigger picture, they're not.  It's relative.

Basically a plane flies like this:

A wing is designed so that the upper surface is larger than the lower surface.  When the plane starts moving through the air, basically the air running over the top has to cover more area, and thus the air pressure is decreased.  The relatively higher air pressure under the wing naturally seeks to move towards the lower pressure on the upper part of the wing.  In nature, high pressure seeks low pressure.  Thus, this natural force pushes the plane up.  The propeller or jet engine thrusts the plane forward.  So, you've got a force pushing you up and a force pushing you forward.  You're flying.

Even in the very unlikely event of an engine failure, planes are still very controllable.  Think of all the people who fly in gliders for recreation.  Those things have no engines, yet the pilots safely and smoothly fly them down and land somewhere.

Given the altitudes that jets fly at, they've got a lot of choices as to where to land if the engines failed.  They've got a lot of time and distance they can glide.

Answer 13

Planes are like stones being hurled into space.  Engines produce thrust pushing the air behind the plane and a component of that thrust is pushing the air underneath the plane.  As the plane moves forward, air resistance underneath the wings pushes the plane upward.  This is the simple explanation why the plane, altho metal, stays in the air. Statistics show that there are more vehicular accidents on land than plane accidents in the air.  So, relax and enjoy your trip to Japan.  Put on your ear phones and listen to relaxing beautiful music.  Or, since this a long trip, watch the on-board movies.  These are current films, by the way.  Food also are very good on board.  If your seat mate is interested, strike up a conversation with him/her.  This will keep you distracted and forget your fear.