Aerodynamics
These are the forces acting on an aircraft
Lift Gravity Thrust Drag
This is the main body of the airplane where the pilot and passengers sit.
fuselage
This basic flight instrument tells the pilot if the airplane is climbing, descending, or flying level.
attitude indicator
This stealth multirole fighter, introduced in 2005, is known for its air dominance and advanced avionics.
F-22 Raptor
What year was Civil Air Patrol Founded?
1941
This force works against thrust and slows an airplane down as it moves through the air.
drag
This part supports the airplane when it’s on the ground and may retract during flight to reduce drag.
landing gear
This “six-pack” instrument shows the aircraft’s altitude above sea level.
altimeter
Known as the "Hercules," this aircraft has been a backbone of tactical airlift since the 1950s.
C-130
This U.S. President authorized the creation of the Civil Air Patrol.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
According to this principle, faster airflow over the top of a wing creates lower pressure, helping generate lift.
Bernoulli’s Principle
These movable parts on the trailing edge of an airplane's wings control its roll.
ailerons
This cockpit gauge shows how fast the engine is turning, usually in revolutions per minute (RPM).
tachometer
This WWII bomber, nicknamed the "Flying Fortress," was known for its durability and flew missions over Europe.
B-17
During WWII, CAP members flew these missions to help protect U.S. coastal waters.
anti-submarine patrols
This is the angle between the wing’s chord line and the oncoming airflow, critical for generating lift but can cause a stall if too high.
angle of attack
This part helps control yaw by moving the aircraft left or right.
Rudder
If the pitot tube is blocked, this critical instrument may give incorrect readings.
airspeed indicator
This now-retired stealth attack aircraft was the first operational aircraft designed around stealth technology.
F-117 Nighthawk
This U.S. state is home to the Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters
Alabama
This happens when the angle of attack becomes too great, causing the airflow to separate and the wing to lose lift suddenly.
stall
These are panels on the wing’s leading edge that extend to increase lift during takeoff and landing.
flaps
This system uses ground-based radio signals to help aircraft navigate by pointing toward a station.
VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range)
This Cold War reconnaissance aircraft, capable of flying over Mach 3, was virtually untouchable by enemy defenses.
SR-71 Blackbird
In 1948, this law made the Civil Air Patrol the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
Air Force Act of 1948