EAA Chapter 838
Batten International Airport
3333 N. Green Bay Rd.
Racine, Wisconsin 53404
262.634.7575
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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.
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.
LateralAxis of Pitch
Longitudinal Axis of Roll
Vertical Axis of Yaw
Lift
Thrust 
Drag
Weight
Pitch
Roll
Yaw
