Pilot/Flight/Planes/Nasa Questions!?

Question

Okay, I need help qith some of these questions; I can't find them anywhere! Here goes:

1.) _________ help pilots control planes, like military and commercial jets.

2.) _________________ compresses in front of a plane as it approaches the speed of ______________________.

3.) What is Nasa testing to improve laminar flow across a wing?

4.) How was pathfinder able toi fly in the Earth's stratoshpere for long periods of time? (List two factors)

Thanks~

Answer 1

I can answer some!

First one - flight control surfaces - ailerons or elevators or rudders - they're the three main controls that "steer" a plane...

Second - air is what compresses as the plane approaches the speed of sound (Mach 1 if you need to know!)

The only thing I can think of of the top of my head for laminar flow improvement might be vortex generators....but at the same time, they're in use already so if they're being tested, it'd only be a newer version...

Hope I was some help, sorry I can't help more!

Answer 2

computers, control surfaces, autopilots?

Kind of a vague question maybe....

Air compresses as one approaches supersonic speeds.

See link below. It includes some photos of the F-16XL laminar research aircraft. Based on the F-16 with a cranked arrow wing, it is a beautiful aircraft.

Pathfinder was powered by solar power.

Answer 3

1. can be Rudder, elevator, ailerons, Air Traffic controls, control yoke, ruder peddals..

2.  Air ,, then either Sound, mach critical, mach 1

3. Active and passive experimental devices, active suction off the turbulence from the wing, wehre passive are attributed to wing design.

4 Light weight Solar and fuel cells.

Answer 4

Best from Oz has given good answers for the first two. (though for the first question  I'd have said Flight Control Computers help...)

3) NASA has tested active suction gloves on wings to suck away the turbulent airflow over the wing and so restoring laminar flow. Maybe this is an answer.

4) The Pathfinder has solar and fuel cells powering it, thus enabling extended periods of flight without replenishments. Its aerodynamics is for maximum lift and minimum drag, meaning that minimal energy is required to keep them moving. (Two reasons given)