Subject: Science

Topic: Flight Technology

Grades: 5 - 8

Teacher Notes

By the end of this lesson students should be able to:

Understand about flight The history of flightPrinciples of flightDifferent types of planes

Lesson Objectives

This lesson will help focus on explaining the concept of flight. The history of flight includes development of heavier-than-air flying machines. Important landmarks and events along the way to the invention of the airplane include an understanding of the dynamic reaction of lifting surfaces (or wings), building absolutely reliable engines that produced sufficient power to propel an airframe, and solving the problem of flight control in three dimensions.

Lesson Notes

Flight FundamentalsLabel the flight terms.

Correct Answer Tap on the plane.

Positive force caused by air pressure on the wing.

Force that causes objectsto go downwards.

Resistance of the air toanything moving through it.

Force that propels anobject forward.

Erase the color, then write the term.Forces in Flight

Correct Answer

Positive force caused by air pressure on the wing.

Force that causes objectsto go downwards.

Resistance of the air toanything moving through it.

Force that propels anobject forward.

Lift Gravity

Thrust Drag

How does Weather affect Flying?

Heavy rain can make it difficult to see.

Snow can block engine air intakes affecting engine performance.

Ice can stick to planes changing the weight and the shape of the wing, decreasing the ability to cause lift.

Wind causes turbulence (uncomfortable bumps during flight) and difficulty during take off or landings.

Microbursts: Danger in the Sky

Microbursts are dramatic weather events that cause strong bursts of wind. They usually occur because of thunderstorms.

Wet Microbursts occur during rain.Dry Microbursts occur during dry conditions.

Microbursts can be dangers to airplanes, especially when taking off or landing.

The strong winds can create serious problems.

Scientists are trying to predict microbursts.If air on the ground is a different temperature from the air in the troposphere, microbursts are likely to occur.

`

1. According to the author, how does the approaching front determine what weather is produced?

2. According to the text, why are frontal systems shown on weather maps?

3. How can clouds be used as an indicator for weather?

4. Compare and contrast wet and dry microbursts.

5. According to the text, why is work being done to predict microbursts?

Text Dependent Questions

Parts of an AircraftEnlarge each part of the airplane to see the details.

Tail

Wings

Slats Fuselage

Elevators

EngineCockpit

FlapsAilerons

A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft.

Cockpit

The wings generate most of the lift to hold the plane in the air. The turbine engines, which are located beneath the wings, provide the thrust to overcome drag and push the airplane forward through the air.

Wings

The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo.

Fuselage

Slats are aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge of the wings of fixed-wing aircraft which, when deployed, allow the wing to operate at a higher angle of attack. A higher coefficient of lift is produced as a product of angle of attack and speed, so by deploying slats an aircraft can fly more slowly or take off and land in a shorter distance.

Slats

Ailerons

Elevators

Flaps are hinged surfaces on the trailing edge of the wings of a fixed-wing aircraft. As flaps are extended, the stalling speed of the aircraft is reduced, which means that the aircraft can fly safely at lower speeds.

Flaps

Tail

Engine

Types of PlanesBuild a cargo plane or a concept plane.

Cargo Plane Concept Plane

Correct Answer

Cargo Plane Concept Plane

Types of PlanesBuild a fighter plane or a passenger plane.

Fighter Plane Passenger Plane

Correct Answer

Fighter Plane Passenger Plane