What Keeps An Aircraft Afloat? Part 1

 Every aviation professional,at a point in time (if not already) will be asked  the most popular question in my opinion about basic aerodynamics.It would be a shame if one fails to give the most likely correct response-quite a convincing one,I must add; when the question is posed.It can get quite confusing and quickly switch from a humble inquiry to a contentious challenge.I have been surrounded by laymen for quite a long time now, and I can almost say with certainty that I am used to the drill.

 The study of aerodynamics and the Science of flight can be quite a fascinating one,especially to the commoner.It takes you off the verge of instinctual reasoning and presents a challenging new way of thought.The theory behind the development and operation of flight makes our inherent aptitude seem foolish since instinctively, one would jump straight to conclude that any heavy object,especially an aircraft filled with passengers and baggage should naturally plunge to the ground due to the inescapable force of gravity. Or are we saying that the principle of gravity has an exception only when it comes to airplanes and their operations? What keeps an aircraft afloat then?

 An aircraft with all its mechanical splendor in all its complexities is kept airborne under the influence of four powerful forces know as lift,thrust,drag and weight.Looking at the aircraft from a distance makes your mind wander in places it shouldn't be,and this can mystify the entire concept.It simple if you look at it my way.

LIFT
 In the air ,an airplane is held up by a certain force which acts upward to the direction in which the aircraft is moving(Path).An angle of 90° would make it more specific.Or a straight vertical line.The wings of an aircraft are designed to lift it into the air.To say the least,the force of lift is created by air passing over the top of the aircraft's wing in motion.

 An aircraft's wing is an airfoil designed such that,the upper surface is curved,while the lower surface is fairly normal to facilitate the fast movement of air over the upper surface than the lower surface. A basic principle in Physics states that, fast moving air has low pressure as compared to slower moving air. In effect, airflow over the top of the wing is faster since the to is curved.The bottom is obviously vice versa. From the above,this can be translated that there's more pressure underneath the wing.This high pressure under the wing,among a few other factors is what causes the aircraft to lift of the ground into the air.

 Now let's go a step further and apply this.When the aircraft is on the ground and preparing for takeoff,the wing produces no lift because there is no air flowing over its upper and lower surfaces.This will not cause the aircraft to lift. The aircraft begins to produce lift only when the pilot increases it's speed and angle of attack(angle of the wing in relation to the air). It's that simple.




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