• Question: How does a plane takeoff and fly?

    Asked by yooda to Bob, Katie, Nisha, Sallie, Vee on 28 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Sallie Baxendale

      Sallie Baxendale answered on 28 Jun 2012:

      To achieve flight, you have to exploit the four basic aerodynamic forces: lift, weight, thrust and drag. You can think of them as four arms holding the plane in the air, each pushing from a different direction. The http://www.Howstuffworks.com website has a very good article on How Airplanes Work. Did you know there are over 64 million take offs and landings in the world every year?

    • Photo: Bob Bonwick

      Bob Bonwick answered on 2 Jul 2012:

      Thrust, Lift, Drag, Wheels, a Pilot and a lot of nerve. I’m always thrilled to take off and land when I travel on a plane. Though I don’t fully undersand aeronautical principals as a cellular pathologist, I’m more of a microscope and body bits kinda guy!

    • Photo: Vee Mitchell

      Vee Mitchell answered on 3 Jul 2012:

      I think its all to do with the angle of the wings such that as the plane moves forward at speed the air is pushed under the wings which gives you lift. I’d take Sallie’s advice and check out the website though for more than an educated guess.

Comments