2007-01-10 17:53:12 · 13 answers · asked by the gift 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Airplane wings are in the shape of what is called an airfoil, curved on top and flat on the bottom, most generally. The air moving across the top of the wing creates a partial vacuum while the air across the bottom retains its density. This creates lift, and the principle applies to both fixed and rotary-wing (helicopter) aircraft.
In order for an airfoil to work there must be movement of the wing. This can come from the thrust of an engine or from other movement by the aircraft, such as that provided by kinetic energy in a glider.
All heavier than air aircraft use this principle to a greater or lesser extent. It is known as Bernouli's Principle, as someone mentioned.
The Wright Brothers developed airfoils using the first known wind tunnels when they were still test-flying gliders.
2007-01-10 18:13:15 · answer #1 · answered by Warren D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The air flowing over the top of the wing (following the curve of the wing) has to go faster to get over that curve which causes the air pressure to be lower on the top of the wing sucking the plane up. When a plane is flying slowly the pilot will extend the flaps, essentially making the wing longer and having a bigger curve to increase the suction. This causes a lot of extra drag so to fly faster and save fuel the curve is reduced by raising the flaps.
2007-01-10 18:02:23 · answer #2 · answered by Aviator1013 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lift
An airplane's engines produce thrust which causeair to travel over and under the wings. The air travelling over the wing has a longer path to follow which, due to Bournielle's principle or the venturi effect (cant remember which one exactly) creates a vacuum. The vacuum is the lift.
2007-01-10 18:01:43 · answer #3 · answered by Gotta Question 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple: Airplane Gremlins.
2007-01-10 17:56:26 · answer #4 · answered by Jake 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's all about molecule management. Creating a zone of less density above and more density below. Thrust overcoming drag, lift overcoming gravity. A good positive attitude helps, too. Actually, I like the one about Airplane Gremlins better.
2007-01-11 09:46:58 · answer #5 · answered by ta2dpilot 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The wings of a aircraft enable them to stay in the air, this is becasue the wings are inshaped for wind and air to pass above and below the wings keeping them in the air. and plus the thrust from the engines based on newtons 3 law of motion to every actions there is a equal and opposite reaction.
2007-01-10 19:14:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
air over the wings creates lift due to the design of the wing. a plane will stall if there is insuffecient air over the wing or speed of plane drops too much (stall) also turning a plane creats drag which will cause a plane to lose altitude slowly or ice on wings.
2007-01-10 18:05:01 · answer #7 · answered by james_a_willis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually after the airplane is airborn, eventually it WILL fall from the sky..it is just a CONTROLLED fall.
2007-01-11 07:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by cherokeeflyer 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anti-gravity.
2007-01-10 17:57:15 · answer #9 · answered by ourxtrees 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
air over the wing once you realize that it is simple and i do not do your homework
2007-01-10 23:05:36 · answer #10 · answered by allawishes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋