The Forces of Flight
What is the force of flight that makes the plane go up?
Lift
When was the first plane that was made?
1903
What do airplanes do?
They transport people and cargo
What is powered flight?
Flight using engines for thrust
What types of aircraft are used?
Gliders, hang gliders, paragliders
What force makes the plane go forward and what force makes the plane go slower?
Thrust and Drag
What did Leonardo da Vinci contribute to flight?
He designed flying machines, including a helicopter
How do planes fly?
By generating lift with their wings
Where did the first powered flight take place?
It took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
How do gliders stay aloft?
They use rising air currents and thermals
How does weight affect flight?
Weight pulls the aircraft downward, counteracted by lift
Who was the first woman to make a successful solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean?
Amelia Earhart
What powers a plane?
Jet engines or propellers
When was the first powered flight?
December 17, 1903
What are thermals?
Rising warm air that helps gain altitude
What does drag do?
Drag resists the aircraft’s forward motion
Who invented the first air plane?
The wright brothers Wilbur and Orville wright
What’s the cockpit?
Where the pilot controls the plane
How long did the first powered flight last?
It lasted 12 seconds
Can non-powered aircraft travel far?
Yes, with skillful navigation of air currents
What affects lift?
Speed, wing shape, angle of attack, and air density
Who helped to design and build the Silver Dart plane?
Alexander Graham Bell
Why do planes have wheels?
For takeoff, landing, and ground movement
What kind of engine did the Wright brothers use for their first powered flight?
They used a custom gasoline engine
How do birds use non-powered flight?
They soar and glide using thermals