| Forces
of Flight and Control
Every object has the capability of
flight. That capability allows a ball to be thrown, and airplanes to
fly. Regardless of the object, there are four forces that effect flight.
Two forces enhance flight. LIFT
allows the object to overcome the force of gravity. THRUST
allows the object to move forward. There are also two forces that retard
flight. DRAG is the friction
created between the surface of the object and the air. It’s force is
in direct opposition to thrust. WEIGHT
is determined by the mass of an object, and the effect of gravity has on
that mass. It works in opposition to lift.
As an object, like a ball or an airplane, is building up speed and
climbing, Lift overcomes weight
and thrust overcomes drag.
When the object starts to loose speed and descend, then drag
and weight become the dominant
forces. Even though a ball and a plane have the same forces effecting
their flight, there is a major difference between the two. An airplane
is designed to enhance the positive forces of flight; thrust
and lift. A ball is designed to
score points for a team during a game.
|
Movement in Flight
Inherent to it’s ability to travel in
air, the airplane can move in three directions at one time; up or down,
side to side, and in a circular motion. Each movement revolves around it’s
own axis of flight. The Axis of Pitch
revolves around a line that runs horizontally thru the wings. This is
the focal point of the up and down movement of the nose of the airplane.
The Axis of Roll revolves
around a line that runs horizontally through the airplane from nose to
tail. This is the focal point of the circular motion. The Axis
of Yaw is a vertical line that runs through the fuselage
and is the focal point of the side to side movement. These axis
intersect near the balance point or center of gravity of the
airplane.
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Lateral
Axis of Pitch
Drag
