How does a plane fly?

Question

I just don't understand the physics, I know its to do with thrust and some air resistance but how does it allow such a structure to become airborne??

Answer 1

Engine pushes forward

shape of wing longer on top than bottom

results in more pressure on bottom than top

wing goes up

wings attached,so plane goes up

slightly condensed and simplified

Answer 2

Well...the aircraft's fuselage is designed to be aerodynamic. This is to reduce drag, (drag is the opposite to thrust). The aircraft get airborne by there being higher air pressure underneath the wing surface and lower air pressure on the top.

The elevator are the rear of the aircraft deflects the air which runs over it. When the pilot pulls/pushes the flight yolk back, he/she moves the elevator control surface up or down.

When the elevator moves up it deflects the air thus pushing the rear of the aircraft down and consequently pushing the nose of the aircraft up. Conversely, pushing the elevator down by moving the yolk forward, deflects the air, which moves the tail of the aircraft up and as a result, the nose goes down.

To create the air and pressure in which is needed for lift, this is done by thrust being generated from an engine or some form of propulsion.

When a plane comes into land, it normally applies flap. These are surfaces which extend from the underside of the wing, and they generate more lift at slower speed. However they increase the drag on the aircraft, and to counteract this drag, more power is needed to be applied.

I hope that this has answered you question!

Answer 3

Air flow over the wings creates LIFT.  Like the other guy said, the top of the wing is a longer distance than the bottom of the wing and the air which flows over and under wants to meet at the trailing edge in the back.  The air on top must flow at a faster speed then the air on the bottom to meet at the same time since the top of the wing "takes longer" to cover.  Therefore, faster airspeed means less pressure, slower airspeed(bottom of the wing) means more pressure.  Pressure moves from High to Low and the airplane goes up.  The greater angle of attack (wings angle versus flight path) the less lift until you STALL......Just look up airfoil on youtube or wikipedia and you can see some videos that will explain well. An air foil is the shape of a wing from the sideview

Answer 4

In order to fly a plane must have enough thrust to overcome drag and enough lift to overcome gravity. That's the simple answer.

Answer 5

The airfoil ,basically flat on bottom and curved on top creates lift when pulled or pushed forward through the air. Depending on the size and shape of the airfoil (wing)gives the aircraft  more lift or less lift at different airspeeds. But you can make a rock fly with no lift being generated if you install a large enough powerplant!

Answer 6

You asked about the physics, so to be exact -

Bernoulli's Principle - A1V1 = A2V2

Area(1) times Velocity (1) = Area (2) times Velocity (2)

Basically, lets say we have a pipe that is 2 inches at the one end, and we pump 15 Cubic Feet of air into the pipe at the same end every second.  Lets say the air is traveling at 15 feet per second.

Area 1 = 2 and Velocity = 15.

2x15 = 30.

so we have 30 = Area (2) Velocity (2)

We know A2 = 1 inch, so lets do some math.

30 = 1(X)

X happens to equal velocity 2.

Velocity 2 = 30 Feet per second.

This is very basic, but you have a result that shows

one end of the pipe has air moving into it at 15 feet per second, but double the area.   The other end has air coming out at 30 feet per second.

Twice as fast.

If the air is coming out twice as fast, but bernoullis principle states that the air at both ends MUST be equal in volume, then that means HALF of the air is coming out at TWICE the speed.  

Another way to say that is the air coming out at the other end is half as dense as the air going in.    But it's coming out twice as fast.  It has a lower static pressure than the air going in.  By 50%

Simple Physics explains that High pressure areas always seek, or push into, low pressure areas.

So we have a high pressure area at one end, and a low pressure area at the other end.

Now for the simple logic part.

If we have a high pressure area at the bottom of the wing, and a low pressure area at the top of the wing... the High Pressure air will push on the low pressure area, through the wing.  Basically the wing gets pushed up by the air below it, because the air below it 'wants' to be in the space above it, since there is more room there.  

Now, we just measure the pressure that the air below the wing applies on the wing, and compare it to the weight of the aircraft.   If the pressure = more than the weight, you have enough lift to push the plane into the air.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

surface area is too big for the wind resistance. make a paper airplane with big wings and then another with small wings, you will see the difference, and if weight is an issue, then the proportions of the wing size to the base will make the difference

Answer 8

Lift , thrust , force , resistance , gravity , it is simply proper manipulation of physics...if a light enough vessel has more thrust than the possible met resitance....then the lift of wings deflecting air downward to cause lift, then the continue guiding through air after lift is force ...

Answer 9

Find a flight school at your local airport or join the military air force training program. This will help you become familiar with all the devices on board, and provide you with an appropriate checklist for the aircraft you intend to fly.

Practice with a certified instructor many times before going up yourself. Before you can get your license, you will need at least 3 hours cross-country, 3 hours night, 10 hours solo, and 5 hours solo cross-country flight time. The average flight time for most people to get their private pilot certificate is around 75 hours.

Learn how to control the aircraft on the ground and in the air. Practice stalls, turns around a point, air navigation, and safe takeoffs and landings.

Learn the procedures for talking to Air Traffic Control (ATC) and using your radios.

Complete all stages required by your flight school. This generally includes::

Presolo stage. During these first hours your instructor will teach you the basics of flying and make sure you are competent enough to fly the airplane safely.

First Solo. When your instructor deems you ready, you will go up on your own and fly around the airport, making three landings. Each circuit is called a pattern. For many, this is the flight they will remember most for their entire life. During your training you will fly solo numerous times to practice and build confidence.

Cross-country stage. Things are getting more and more complex. You will learn to navigate to another airport, check weather, and request various clearances and directions from air traffic control agencies.

Check ride preparation. Towards the end of your training your instructor will review with you for your practical (flight) exam.

Check ride. This is where it all comes together. Before meeting with your examiner you will need your instructor's endorsement, a certificate showing you passed the FAA Private Pilot written exam, and all required hours.

You will take both an oral and practical (flight) exam with the examiner to determine your knowledge and ability to fly safely. This includes basic maneuvers, communication, emergency and navigation procedures. Once you have successfully completed the check ride, you will be able to fly get a temporary pilot certificate from the examiner while you wait for your permanent certificate arriving in the mail soon. You're a pilot!