| How does it work? - Index |
In this section of our site we will discuss and explain the mechanics and working of some aviation-related things. This will be made available in plain English. We hope that you will find this to be useful!
One hundred years ago the Wright brothers made their historic first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Even after all these years, their creation still boggles the mind: How can something so heavy take to the air? Learn all about lift, drag, props and more, and see how planes get off the ground! Click here to find out how an Aircraft works .  Airspeed is a measurement of the plane's speed relative to the air around it. The pitot (pronounced pee-toe) static tube system is an ingenious device used by airplanes and boats for measuring forward speed. Find out how this works in this article Click here to find out how Airspeed Indicators work. With any airplane crash, there are many unanswered questions as to what brought the plane down. Investigators turn to the airplane's flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), also known as "black boxes," for answers. In Flight 261, the FDR contained 48 parameters of flight data, and the CVR recorded a little more than 30 minutes of conversation and other audible cockpit noises. Click here to find out how Aircraft Black Boxes work. During peak air travel times in the U.S., there are about 5,000 airplanes in the sky every hour. This translates to approximately 50,000 aircraft operating in our skies each day. How do these aircraft keep from colliding with each other? Learn about the intricate system that guides a plane from takeoff to landing. Click here to find out how Air Traffic control works. No matter where you stand on Earth, you can hold a compass in your hand and it will point toward the North Pole. Long before GPS satellites and other high-tech navigational aids, people used the Earth's natural magnetism to navigate the unknown. Learn how a compass works and how to create your own! Click here to find out how a compass works. When a military aircraft is in trouble, the pilot may have to eject to save his life. Find out how this crucial escape system separates pilot from plane. Click here to find out how Ejection Seats work. Did you know that airplanes and space shuttles use the utterly low-tech gyroscope for navigation? Discover the secret behind gyroscopic motion! Click here to find out how Gyroscopes work. Radar is something that is in use all around us, although it is normally invisible. Air traffic control uses radar to track planes both on the ground and in the air, and also to guide planes in for smooth landings. Police use radar to detect the speed of passing motorists. NASA uses radar to map the Earth and other planets, to track satellites and space debris and to help with things like docking and maneuvering. The military uses it to detect the enemy and to guide weapons. Click here to find out how Radar work. In this article, you will learn how the radial engine works, what makes it different from other engine configurations and why it fits in so well with airplanes. |
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