maj william j. doyle, jr. civil air patrol, new jersey wing, assistant staneval officer

Aerodynamics – What Makes Airplanes FlyAerodynamics – What Makes Airplanes FlyDoylestown Pilots AssociationDoylestown Pilots Association

Boy Scouts Aviation Day 10/13/2012Boy Scouts Aviation Day 10/13/2012

Maj William J. Doyle, Jr. Civil Air Patrol, New Jersey Wing, Assistant StanEval Officer

Check Pilot / Instructor-PilotCFI A&I, AGI, IGI, CFAI, FAAST Rep

Aerodynamics Lesson PlanAerodynamics Lesson Plan

• What is an Airplane and What Makes It FlyWhat is an Airplane and What Makes It Fly

• The AirplaneThe Airplane

• Flight ControlsFlight Controls

• Axes of Rotation Axes of Rotation

• Forces Acting on the Airplane in FlightForces Acting on the Airplane in Flight

• Dynamics of the Airplane in FlightDynamics of the Airplane in Flight

• Ground EffectGround Effect

• How Airplanes TurnHow Airplanes Turn

• Torque (Left-Turning Tendency)Torque (Left-Turning Tendency)

• Airplane StabilityAirplane Stability

• Stalls and SpinsStalls and Spins

How Do the Flight Controls Work?How Do the Flight Controls Work?

• Push the stick (or yoke) forward and the houses get bigger.• Pull the stick (or yoke) back and the houses get smaller.• Hold the stick (or yoke) back too long and the houses get really small

then they get bigger again. (You just did a loop.)

Parts of An AirplaneParts of An Airplane

Airplane ComponentsAirplane Components

Airplane Components - FuselageAirplane Components - Fuselage

Open truss clearly visible struts and wire braces

Stressed skins monocoque

skin supports all loads semi-monocoque

sub-structure riveted to skin to maintain shape and increase strength

Airplane Stressed-Skin TypesAirplane Stressed-Skin Types

Airplane Truss-Type Fuselage StructureAirplane Truss-Type Fuselage Structure

Airplane Components - WingsAirplane Components - Wings

Monoplane single set of wings

Biplane two sets of wings

Ailerons move in opposite directions for turns controls roll (or bank) controlled by yoke or stick

right pressure turns right left pressure turns left

Flaps extend downward to increase lifting force for landings and

sometimes takeoffs controlled by flap handle or switch

pre-selected positions or variable positions

Airplane Wings: Monoplane vs. BiplaneAirplane Wings: Monoplane vs. Biplane

Airplane Wing ComponentsAirplane Wing Components

Airplane Components - EmpennageAirplane Components - Empennage

Vertical Stabilizer and Horizontal Stabilizer help steady airplane for straight flight

Rudder controls yaw controlled by floor pedals

right pressure moves nose to right left pressure moves nose to left

Elevator (stabilator on Cherokee) controls pitch controlled by yoke or stick

forward pressure lowers nose back pressure raises nose

Trim Tab helps hold pitch attitude controlled by trim wheel

move wheel forward for nose down trim move wheel back for nose up trim

Airplane EmpennageAirplane Empennage

Airplane Components - Landing GearAirplane Components - Landing Gear

Gear Types Fixed Gear Retractable Gear Tricycle Gear Conventional Gear (tail dragger)

Landing Gear Struts Spring steel struts bungee cord struts oleo struts shock disks

Brakes Disc brakes Differential braking

Airplane Landing GearAirplane Landing Gear

Airplane Components - PowerplantAirplane Components - Powerplant

Engine provides power to turn propeller distinguishes airplane from glider

Firewall separates cockpit from engine mounting point for engine

Propeller translates engine rotational force into forward-acting

force called thrust

Airplane PowerplantAirplane Powerplant

Wing PlanformsWing Planforms

Aspect Ratio = Wing Span ÷ Average Chord

What Makes an Airplane Fly?What Makes an Airplane Fly?

• For an airplane to takeoff, thrust must overcome drag and lift must overcome gravity (sometimes called weight)

• So is there relevancy here to what you study in school?– Applicable Subject in School = Science– High School Course = Physics (study the chapter on Bernoulli’s Law)

What Makes an Airplane Fly?What Makes an Airplane Fly?

• The laws of physics apply to everything.• They apply to F-16 fighters and to the USAF Thunderbirds.

What Makes an Airplane Fly?What Makes an Airplane Fly?

• The laws of physics apply to everything.

• They apply to ultra lights.

What Makes an Airplane Fly?What Makes an Airplane Fly?

• The laws of physics apply to everything.

• They even applied to the Wright Brothers in the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, NC.

Four Forces of FlightFour Forces of Flight

VectorVector

VectorVector

Four Forces of FlightFour Forces of Flight

Lift upward force from airflow over and under wing

Weight downward force of gravity

Thrust forward force propelling airplane through air

Drag rearward force retarding force limiting speed

Four Forces of FlightFour Forces of Flight

Newton’s Laws of Force and MotionNewton’s Laws of Force and Motion

Newton’s First Law A body at rest tends to remain at rest, and a body in

motion tends to remain moving at the same speed and in the same direction.

Newton’s Second Law When a body is acted upon by a constant force, its

resulting acceleration is inversely proportional to the mass of the body and is directly proportional to the applied force.

Newton’s Third Law For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Bernoulli’s PrincipleBernoulli’s Principle

Bernoulli’s Principle• Explains how the pressure of a moving fluid (liquid or gas) varies with its speed of

motion. • States that as the velocity of a moving fluid (liquid or gas) increases, the pressure

within the fluid decreases. • Explains what happens to air passing over the curved top of the airplane wing.

Bernoulli’s Principle - 1 of 3Bernoulli’s Principle - 1 of 3

Bernoulli’s Principle - 2 of 3Bernoulli’s Principle - 2 of 3

Bernoulli’s Principle - 3 of 3Bernoulli’s Principle - 3 of 3

In-Flight Application of BernoulliIn-Flight Application of Bernoulli

Illustration of Vectors Illustration of Vectors and Resultant Vectorsand Resultant Vectors

Types of Air FoilsTypes of Air Foils

Components of an AirfoilComponents of an Airfoil

• Airfoil: a structure designed to obtain reaction upon its surface from the air through which it moves or that moves past such a structure.

• Camber: curvatures of the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil. The camber of the upper surface is more pronounced than that of the lower surface, which is usually somewhat flat.

• Chord Line: a straight line drawn through the profile connecting the extremities of the leading and trailing edges.

• Mean Camber Line: reference line drawn from the leading edge to the trailing edge, equidistant at all points from the upper and lower surfaces.

• Leading Edge faces forward in flight and is rounded.• Trailing Edge faces aft in flight and is narrow and tapered.

Relationship of Flight PathRelationship of Flight Pathto Relative Windto Relative Wind

Angle of Attack ExamplesAngle of Attack Examples

Angle of Attack ExamplesAngle of Attack Examples

Angle of Attack and Wing StallsAngle of Attack and Wing Stalls

Air circulation around an airfoil occurs when the front stagnation point is below the leading edge and the aft stagnation point is beyond the trailing edge.

Effect of Wingtip TwistEffect of Wingtip Twist

Wingtip

Wing Root

Effect of Stall StripEffect of Stall Strip

Wingtip

Wing Root

Flaps Increase Both Lift and DragFlaps Increase Both Lift and Drag

Types ofTypes ofFlapsFlapsandand

LeadingLeadingEdgeEdge

DevicesDevices

Types of DragTypes of Drag

Parasite Drag Caused by any aircraft surface which deflects or interferes

with smooth airflow around airplane Form drag

results from turbulent wake caused by the separation of airflow from the surface of the structure

Interference drag occurs when varied currents of air over an airplane meet and interact

Skin friction drag caused by roughness of the airplane’s surfaces

Induced Drag Generated by the airflow circulation around the wing as it

creates lift

Examples of DragExamples of Drag

Examples of Reducing DragExamples of Reducing Drag

Total Drag and L/DTotal Drag and L/Dmaxmax Ratio Ratio

Ground EffectGround Effect

Result of earth’s surface altering the airflow patterns around the airplane.

Occurs within one wingspan above the ground. When in ground effect

Induced drag decreases and excess speed in the flare may cause floating.

Airplane may become airborne before it reaches its recommended takeoff speed.

Three Axes of FlightThree Axes of Flight

Longitudinal Stability and BalanceLongitudinal Stability and Balance

Longitudinal Stability Pitching motion or tendency of airplane to move about its

lateral axis. Determined by the location of the center of gravitycenter of gravity in

relation to the center of pressurecenter of pressure. Center of Pressure

Point along wing chord where lift is considered to be concentrated.

Sometimes called the center of liftcenter of lift. Center of Gravity

Determined by the distribution of weight, either by design or by the pilot.

Can affect longitudinal stability.

Center of PressureCenter of Pressure

Three Axes of FlightThree Axes of Flight

Center of Gravity (CG)

CG Range - Forward CG & Aft CGCG Range - Forward CG & Aft CG

CG Range - Forward CG & Aft CGCG Range - Forward CG & Aft CG

Longitudinal StabilityLongitudinal Stability

• Quality that makes an aircraft stable about its lateral axis.• Involves the pitching motion as the aircraft’s nose moves up

and down in flight. – A longitudinally unstable aircraft has a tendency to dive or climb

progressively into a very steep dive or climb, or even a stall.

– An aircraft with longitudinal instability becomes difficult and sometimes dangerous to fly.

• Static longitudinal stability or instability in an aircraft, is dependent upon three factors:– Location of the wing with respect to the CG

– Location of the horizontal tail surfaces with respect to the CG

– Area or size of the tail surfaces

Longitudinal StabilityLongitudinal Stability

Horizontal StabilizerHorizontal Stabilizerand Tail Down Forceand Tail Down Force

Static StabilityStatic Stability

• Initial tendency, or direction of movement, back to equilibrium.– Refers to the aircraft’s initial response when disturbed from a

given angle of attack (AOA), slip, or bank. • Positive static stability

– the initial tendency of the aircraft to return to the original state of equilibrium after being disturbed

• Neutral static stability– initial tendency of the aircraft to remain in a new condition after its

equilibrium has been disturbed• Negative static stability

– initial tendency of the aircraft to continue away from the original state of equilibrium after being disturbed

Static StabilityStatic Stability

Dynamic StabilityDynamic Stability

• Dynamic stability refers to the aircraft response over time when disturbed from a given angle of attack (AOA), slip, or bank. It has three subtypes:

• Positive dynamic stability– over time, the motion of the displaced object decreases in

amplitude and, because it is positive, the object displaced returns toward the equilibrium state.

• Neutral dynamic stability– once displaced, the displaced object neither decreases nor

increases in amplitude. A worn automobile shock absorber exhibits this tendency.

• Negative dynamic stability– over time, the motion of the displaced object increases and

becomes more divergent.

Dynamic StabilityDynamic Stability

Horizontal StabilizerHorizontal Stabilizerand Tail Down Forceand Tail Down Force

Center ofGravity

Center of Lift

Directional StabilityDirectional Stability

Directional Stability Stability about the airplane’s vertical axis. Steadying influence of the vertical stabilizer.

Acts like a weather vane.

Interaction of Directional Stability with Lateral Stability Dutch Roll

Combination of rolling / yawing oscillations caused by control inputs or wind gusts.

Dihedral (lateral stability) more powerful than directional stability.

Spiral Instability Directional stability more powerful than lateral stability.

Lateral StabilityLateral Stability

Lateral Stability Stability about the airplane’s longitudinal axis (nose to tail). Tendency to resist lateral roll.

Dihedral Common design approach to build in lateral stability. Upward angle of the wings with respect to the horizontal. Less dihedral in high wing airplanes than in low wing

aircraft. Cessna 172 versus Mooney M20J

Keel Effect Steadying influence of side area of the fuselage and the

vertical stabilizer.

Illustration of DihedralIllustration of Dihedral

Illustration of DihedralIllustration of Dihedral

Airspeed Indicator (ASI) and V-speedsAirspeed Indicator (ASI) and V-speeds

V-speeds Vx = best angle * Vy = best rate * Va = maneuvering * Vfe = flap extend Vs = stall clean configuration Vso = stall landing configuration Vno = max structural cruising speed Vne = never exceed speed

* not on ASI

• Arcs white

bottom = Vso

top = Vfe

green bottom = Vs top =

Vno yellow

bottom = Vno

top = Vne

red line = Vne

Airspeed Indicator (ASI)Airspeed Indicator (ASI)

Types of AirspeedTypes of Airspeed

Indicated Airspeed (IAS) Speed indicated on ASI Uncorrected for instrument and installation errors No variations in air density

Calibrated Airspeed (CAS) Corrected for instrument and installation errors

True Airspeed (TAS) CAS corrected for

altitude nonstandard temperature

Groundspeed (GS) Speed over the ground TAS adjusted for wind

Types of StallsTypes of Stalls Proficiency Stalls (Student Mastery)

Power-off stalls: landing conditions & configuration Power-on stalls: take-off conditions & configuration

Demonstration Stalls (CFI Demonstration) Secondary stalls Cross-control stalls Accelerated stalls

Stall Recovery Decrease angle of attack Smoothly apply maximum power Adjust power & configure for normal, coordinated flight.

V-g DiagramV-g Diagram

V-g DiagramV-g Diagram

SpinsSpins

Definition of a Spin Aggravated stall accompanied by autorotation. One wing stalled more than the other wing.

Types of Spins Erect Inverted Flat

Stages or Phases Incipient spin Fully developed spin (steady-state) Spin recovery

Spin RecoverySpin Recovery

Throttle to idle Neutralize ailerons Determine direction of spin via turn coordinator Full opposite rudder Briskly apply forward elevator pressure Neutralize rudder Gradually apply back elevator pressure

Left-Turning TendenciesLeft-Turning Tendencies

• The left turning tendency of the airplane is made up of four elements which cause or produce a twisting or rotating motion around at least one of the airplane’s three axes.

– Torque reaction from engine and propeller,– Corkscrewing effect of the slipstream,– Gyroscopic action of the propeller, and– Asymmetric loading of the propeller (P-factor).

Left-Turning TendenciesLeft-Turning Tendencies

Left-Turning TendenciesLeft-Turning Tendencies

Airplanes in GlideAirplanes in Glide

Best Glide Speed See POH C-172 = 70 knots

Glide Ratio See POH E.G. glide ratio of 10:1 means airplane will travel 10,000

feet (1.6 nm) horizontally for each 1,000 feet of altitude lost Typical Cessna 172 9.1 : 1 Typical Piper Cherokee (Warrior) 11.5 : 1

Factors Affecting Glide Weight Configuration Wind

Types of TurnsTypes of Turns

Shallow turns Less than 15° Tendency to return to straight-and-level flight

(positive static stability) Medium turns

15° or more but not more than 30° Tendency to return to remain in the turn

(neutral static stability) Steep turns

More than 30°, usually 45° Tendency to steepen the turn (overbanking tendency)

(negative static stability)

Rate and Radius of TurnsRate and Radius of Turns

Rate of Turn Amount of time it takes an airplane to turn a specified

number of degrees If airspeed increases with angle of bank constant, then

rate of turn decreases. If angle of bank increases with airspeed constant, then

rate of turn increases. Radius of Turn

Amount of horizontal distance an airplane uses to complete a turn

If airspeed increases with angle of bank constant, then radius of turn increases.

If angle of bank increases with airspeed constant, then radius of turn decreases.

Forces Acting on Airplane in A TurnForces Acting on Airplane in A Turn

Normal, Slipping and Skidding TurnsNormal, Slipping and Skidding Turns

Bank Angle Effect on Load FactorBank Angle Effect on Load Factor

Bank Angle Impact on Load FactorBank Angle Impact on Load Factor

Bank Angle Impact on Load Factor Bank Angle Impact on Load Factor and Stall Speedand Stall Speed

Components of LiftComponents of Lift

• Division of Lift Vertical Component of Lift Horizontal Component of Lift

• Offsetting Forces Vertical Component of Lift Weight Horizontal Component of Lift Centrifugal Force Total Lift Load Factor

• Horizontal Component of Lift = sideward force that causes airplane to turn (centripetal force)

Effects of Division of LiftEffects of Division of Lift

• Division of lift reduces lift supporting airplane, produces altitude loss unless: Increase angle of attack Increase airspeed Increase angle of attack and airspeed Trim up when passing 30º bank into 45º bank Roll-out to 30º as necessary to regain altitude

Load Factor, Stall Speed, & Bank AngleLoad Factor, Stall Speed, & Bank Angle

Stall speed increases by – 30° bank = load factor of 1.1 1.05 * VS

– 45° bank = load factor of 1.4 1.20 * VS

– 60° bank = load factor of 2.0 1.40 * VS

Maximum bank angle = 50º -- 60ºLoad Factor versus Bank Angle

– 60° bank = 2 g– 70° bank = 3 g– General Aviation airplanes stressed for max 3.8 g

LoadFactor

Limit Load FactorLimit Load Factor

Definition of Limit Load Factor Amount of stress or load factor that an airplane can

withstand before structural damage or failure occurs. Normal Category

3.8 positive G’s 1.52 negative G’s

Utility Category 4.4 positive G’s 1.76 negative G’s

Acrobatic Category 6 positive G’s 3 negative G’s

References and InformationReferences and Information

• Downloading This PresentationDownloading This Presentation– http://williamjdoylejr.net/pvt/Aerodynamics.ppt– http://williamjdoylejr.net/pvt/DoyleWJ_CFII/

• FAA Airplane Flying Handbook – FAA-H-8083-3AFAA Airplane Flying Handbook – FAA-H-8083-3A– Airplane Structure, Chapter 2

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/media/PHAK%20-%20Chapter%2002.pdf

– Principles of Flight, Chapter 3 http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/media/PHAK%20-%20Chapter%2003.pdf

– Aerodynamics of Flight, Chapter 4 http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/media/PHAK%20-%20Chapter%2004.pdf

– Flight Controls, Chapter 5 http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/media/PHAK%20-%20Chapter%2005.pdf

• Pilot Handbook: A Comprehensive Text/Reference for All Pilots (Eighth Edition), Irvin N. Gleim, Pilot Handbook: A Comprehensive Text/Reference for All Pilots (Eighth Edition), Irvin N. Gleim, Ph.D., CFII and Garrett W. Gleim, CFII, MEIPh.D., CFII and Garrett W. Gleim, CFII, MEI

– Airplanes and Aerodynamics, Chapter 1, pp 15 – 66• Other Resources – Maj Bill DoyleOther Resources – Maj Bill Doyle

– http://home.netcom.com/~doylewj/Aviation/student_pilot_flight_training/default.htm– http://home.netcom.com/~doylewj/default.htm– http://williamjdoylejr.net/Careers/Career_Awareness_Aviation_St_Marks_2010-06-02.ppt

About the PresenterAbout the Presenter

• AviatorAviator– Commercial, Instrument, ASEL & AMEL – 3,000 hours total time; 850 hours TAA; 500 hours KFC 150; 700 hours Garmin 430,

150 hours Garmin G1000• InstructorInstructor

– CFI A&I, AGI, IGI, ASC– 1,400 hours as CFI– Cessna FITS Course and CFAI Course (G1000 for C182 and U206)– FAA PHL FSDO CFI of the Year 2009-2010

• Civil Air PatrolCivil Air Patrol– Instructor-Pilot, Check Pilot, and Check-Pilot Examiner– G1000 Project Officer

• Technologist & TeacherTechnologist & Teacher– Director of Technical Services, Hatboro-Horsham School District– Nursing Informatics Instructor, La Salle University Graduate School of Nursing

• AuthorAuthor– Two books on electronic spreadsheets, with a Russian translation– Self-study manuscript on computer concepts for nurses– Articles on gear up landings and fuel management published by FAA

The Escape PodThe Escape Pod

Cirrus

SR20

with

Ballistic

Parachute

Aim High!Aim High!But Not On Final!But Not On Final!

If you’ve ever wondered…If you’ve ever wondered…

• What are the main parts of an airplane?

• What’s a fuselage?

• What makes an airplane fly?

• How do aircraft wings work?

• How is a plane controlled?

• What is the instrument panel?

• How do you get from one place to another?…then this class is for you!

Warming Up – Soda Straw ExperimentWarming Up – Soda Straw Experiment

Courtesy of J. Elfick, University of Queensland, Australia

• Put the end of a soda straw into a glass of water or a bottle of soda

• Put your finger on the top of the straw• Lift the straw from the glass or soda

bottle.• The water or soda remains in the

straw because the effect of the air pressure up the straw is greater than the weight of the water or soda.

• Remove your finger and the water or soda falls out of the straw.

• Do you know why this is important to aviation?

Why the Soda Straw is ImportantWhy the Soda Straw is Important

• Pilots are taught that airplane fuel gauges are unreliable

• Do you know at what point the gauges are required by law to be accurate?

• The straw becomes a calibrated plastic tube

• The calibrations represent the gallons of gas remaining in the fuel tank

• Each wing has a fuel tank.• In the airplane that I currently fly:• Each wing holds 43½ gallons• Total fuel is 87 gallons• Fuel consumption is 12½ to 15

gallons per hour• So how long can I stay in the air?

What Are the Main Parts of an AirplaneWhat Are the Main Parts of an Airplane

What Are the Main Parts of an AirplaneWhat Are the Main Parts of an Airplane

Main Parts of an Airplane - DefinitionsMain Parts of an Airplane - Definitions

• Airplane – An airplane is a vehicle heavier than air, powered by an engine, which travels through the air via the forces of lift and thrust.

• Fuselage – The fuselage is the central body portion of an airplane, designed to accommodate the pilot/crew and the passengers and/or cargo.

• Cockpit – In general aviation airplanes (all except those operated by airlines and the military) the cockpit is usually the space in the fuselage for the pilot and passengers; in some aircraft it is just the pilot’s compartment.

• Propeller – A propeller is a rotating blade on the front of the airplane. The engine turns the propeller, which pulls the airplane through the air.

• Wings – Wings are the parts of airplanes that provide lift and support the entire weight of the aircraft and its contents while in flight.

Main Parts of an Airplane - DefinitionsMain Parts of an Airplane - Definitions

• Flaps – Flaps are the movable sections of an airplane’s wings that are closest to the fuselage. They move in the same direction on both wings at the same time, and enable the airplane to fly more slowly.

• Ailerons – Ailerons are the outward movable sections of an airplane’s wings. They move in opposite directions (if one goes up, the other goes down). They are used in making turns, and they control movement around the longitudinal axis (imagine a line through the airplane from the nose to the tail).

• Rudder – The rudder is the movable vertical section of the tail that controls lateral (side-to-side) movement. When the rudder moves one direction, the aircraft nose moves the same direction, while the tail moves in the opposite direction.

Main Parts of an Airplane - DefinitionsMain Parts of an Airplane - Definitions

• Horizontal Stabilizer – The horizontal stabilizer is the horizontal surface at the rear of the fuselage designed to balance the airplane.

• Elevator – The elevator is the movable horizontal section of the tail that causes the plane to move up and down. When the elevator moves one direction, the nose moves in the same direction.

• Landing Gear – A landing gear is underneath the airplane and supports it while on the ground. A landing gear usually includes a wheel and tire.

Instrument Panel – Cessna 172 SkyhawkInstrument Panel – Cessna 172 Skyhawk

Flight InstrumentsFlight Instruments

Airspeed IndicatorAirspeed Indicator Attitude IndicatorAttitude Indicator AltimeterAltimeter

Turn CoordinatorTurn Coordinator Heading IndicatorHeading Indicator Vertical Speed IndicatorVertical Speed Indicator

Flight InstrumentsFlight Instruments

What Effect Does Wind Have?What Effect Does Wind Have?

• There is always wind. The higher you climb, the stronger it gets.• You have to fly a heading that offsets the effect of the wind.• So is there relevancy here to what you study in school?

– Applicable Subject in School = Math– High School Course = Trigonometry

How Do You Calculate the Effect of Wind?How Do You Calculate the Effect of Wind?

• The E6B Flight Computer – sort of a circular slide rule.• Cost = $30

How Do You Calculate the Effect of Wind?How Do You Calculate the Effect of Wind?

• The Garmin GNS 430 – all-in-one GPS/Navigation/Communication product.• The Garmin GNS 430 does it all for you.• Cost = $9,650 installed.• Having someone else pay for this – priceless!

How Do You Calculate the Effect of Wind?How Do You Calculate the Effect of Wind?

• Online Flight Planning Tools– Look at winds for your route of

flight – Calculate the wind correction

for you automatically• Costs

– Computer– Internet connection– Annual membership in AOPA

• So is there relevancy here to what you study in school?– Applicable Subject in School =

Technology– School Courses = Computer

Applications, Internet

How Much Can an Airplane Weigh?How Much Can an Airplane Weigh?

• Each airplane has a limitation called the maximum gross takeoff weight. Some airplanes also have a maximum gross landing weight.

• This weight includes everything– Airplane (empty)– Fuel– Pilot and passengers– Baggage

• There is another component called “Balance.” The entire process is called “Weight and Balance.”

• So is there relevancy here to what you study in school?– Applicable Subject in School = Math– Elementary and Middle School = Math (Arithmetic for the “Weight” piece)– High School Course = Physics (Center of Gravity for the “Balance” piece)

What Does Balance Mean?What Does Balance Mean?

• Classic example is the playground seesaw:– Center bar is the fulcrum which is the center of gravity.– Heavier weight of “big” kid on one end overcomes lesser weight of “little” kid other end – This forces the “little” kid to go up– Is there a way to make the “big” kid go up without adding weight or changing kids?

• So is there relevancy here to what you study in school?– Applicable Subject in School = Science– High School Course = Physics (Chapter on Center of Gravity)

What Does Balance Mean for an Airplane?What Does Balance Mean for an Airplane?

• The laws of physics apply to everything.

• Calculate the airplane’s center of gravity for your flight.

• If outside the envelope, move people or baggage– Recalculate to see if that

helped• If yes, go fly

• If no, leave something or somebody behind

Excel Example of Weight & BalanceExcel Example of Weight & Balance

• So is there relevancy here to what you study in school?– Applicable Subjects in School = Science, Technology– High School Course = Physics (Chapter on Center of Gravity), Microsoft Office - Excel