Aviation Aerospace Section 1 - LV
Aviation Aerospace Section 1 - LV
SECTION
1 INTRODUCTION TO
FLIGHT
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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION TO FLIGHT
INTRODUCTION
The flying machines you see now did not just come up. It all started from nature’s
inspiration through to different stages of development to where we are today. In this
section, you will learn about the historical development of flights, the pioneers in
aviation and the various classifications of flying vehicles and their parts, and how these
parts function. This will help you appreciate the various phases aircraft design has
gone through over the centuries. The way birds fly efficiently should be your primary
inspiration as you consider aerospace studies. Note that you will be required to come
up with your own concept of flight vehicles by the end of this section. Please follow
through as your teacher guides you to this end.
Key ideas:
• An ornithopters is an aircraft designed to copy the flight of birds directly.
• The pioneers of flight were people who successfully designed early working aircrafts.
• Fixed wing aircrafts are aircrafts whose main lifting surface is fixed.
• Rotary wing aircrafts are aircrafts whose main lifting surface rotates to produce lift.
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They are
1. Aeronautical Engineering
2. Astronautical Engineering
Aeronautical engineering deals with the design and construction of aircrafts. These
aircrafts fly within the Earth’s atmosphere.
Astronautical engineering tackles the design and manufacturing of spacecrafts.
The aerospace industry did not begin as we have it today. The industry was developed
by the collective effort and contributions of various pioneers who conducted research
and worked on developing aerospace vehicles independently. We will take a look at
the contributions of some notable aviation pioneers and also investigate what inspired
them to pursue flight development.
Flying Animals
For millennia, birds have ruled the skies with their remarkable ability to fly. Yet, many
other animals possess adaptations that allow them to also achieve flight, either for
brief moments or sustained periods. A variety of species, including some invertebrates
or insects (such as butterflies, bees, etc), and even a few mammals (such as bats, flying
squirrels) and fish (Exocoetidae or flying fish), have evolved the capability to glide
or fly. Inspired by the graceful flight of these creatures, humans have long sought to
conquer the skies, drawing directly from nature’s aerial masters.
The mastery of birds in flight is a particular marvel. Scientists and engineers have tried
to imitate birds directly to achieve higher flight efficiency. Among other things, birds
have the following features that make flight convenient and efficient:
• Hollow bones that are extraordinarily strong but at the same time light in weight.
• Very light features that produce high aerodynamic lift to sustain flight.
• Very efficient lungs that can sustain respiration for a long time without stressing
its muscles.
• Consumption of high energy foods that can sustain the bird for a long time in the
air.
• A broad breastbone or sternum that supports their skeleton and muscles.
• A streamlined body that reduces their air resistance.
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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION TO FLIGHT
(a) (b)
Fig 1.2 (a) bird feathers; (b) birds’ hollow bones
Activity 1.1
1. Take a tour outside your classroom and observe different flying animals.
2. After your tour outside, make a list of animals you observed flying. What are
the features of those animals that enable them to fly?
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How do those features differ from animal to animal? Share your observation with
your peer.
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The Montgolfier brothers began to experiment with hot air balloons. In 1783, their
balloon travelled 5 miles across Paris. Another approach to balloons was the use of
lighter-than-air gases. In 1783, French physicists J. A. C. Charles and Nicolas-Louis
Robert flew a hydrogen-filled balloon for 2 hours and 5 minutes, covering 36 km. Most
of the early flying machines were at the mercy of the wind. They lacked precise control.
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In 1799, Sir George Cayley introduced the concept of a flying machine. It was the
first time a fixed wing was used for generating lift. It had a separate mechanism for
propulsion. It had a combined horizontal and vertical tail surface for stability. Cayley
generated information by conducting scientific experiments.
In 1804, he built a whirling-arm apparatus for testing airfoils. He built a model flier with
a fixed wing and a horizontal and vertical tail that could be adjusted. This represented
the first modern-configuration aeroplane in history. Cayley published his findings in
his triple paper between 1809 and 1810.
In 1849, he built and tested a full-sized aeroplane which carried a 10-year-old boy down
a hill.
Between 1857 and 1858, French naval officer Du Temple flew a monoplane with swept-
forward wings powered by clockwork. It was the first successfully powered model
aeroplane. In 1874, he achieved the first powered take-off by a piloted, full-sized
aeroplane. Mozhaiski was the second to achieve powered take-off.
Neither Temple’s nor Mozhaiski’s aircraft experienced sustained flight.
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French-born American civil engineer Octave Chanute published his book ‘Progress in
flying machines’ in 1894. He summarised the progress in aviation to that date and
suggested prospects for future powered flight. In 1896, he successfully designed and
flew a biplane hang glider. In the same year, Samuel Langley’s steam-powered models
achieved flight. Between 1901 and 1903, he successfully tested scaled-down models of
gasoline-powered aeroplanes. He built full-scale versions of his models and attempted
two trials from houseboats; all of which ended unsuccessfully.
Orville and Wilbur Wright set up a bicycle repair shop in 1892. They began to study
the works of aviation pioneers like Lilienthal, Chanute, and Langley. In 1899, they
built their first aircraft, a biplane kite with a wingspan of 5 ft. In late 1900, they flew
a full-sized biplane glider at Kitty Hawk. Between 1901 and 1902, the Wright brothers
conducted a series of aeronautical research using their own wind tunnel.
They tested over 200 different airfoil shapes, accurately measuring lift and drag. In
1903, they designed and built their own 12-horsepower gasoline engine, and in the
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summer of the same year, built their Wright Flyer I. On 17th December, 1903, taking
turns at the controls, they achieved the first successful powered, controlled flight. The
longest duration of their flights was 59 seconds.
Activity 1.2
Self-Assessment
Activity 1.3
Brainstorm, with peers, on human attempts to fly like birds using lighter-than-air
balloons and kites.
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3. Historical milestones
• Highlight key historical milestones in the development of human flight using
balloons and kites; such as the first balloon flight and significant kite-flying
achievements.
• Discuss the impact of these milestones on the advancement of aviation
technology.
5. Technological innovations
• Explore technological innovations and advancements that have contributed to
the development of lighter-than-air balloons and kites.
• Discuss improvements in materials, design, and construction techniques.
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Forces of Flight
As an aircraft moves through the air, it encounters four main forces that affect its
movement.
• Drag: This is the resistance of the air against the body of the aircraft as it moves
forward. It is preferable to reduce the drag on an aircraft to the minimum. This
is because the higher the drag, the more power required to propel the aircraft
forward. One prominent way to achieve drag reduction is by streamlining the
airframe.
• Thrust: This is the forward push of the aircraft through the air by its engines.
• Lift: This is the upward force produced by the wings. On a fixed-wing aircraft, the
lift is generated by the wings. On a rotary-wing, it is generated by the blades on the
spinning rotors.
• Weight: This is the downward force produced by the total weight of the aircraft.
This is due to gravity pulling on the aircraft’s mass. Every single component on the
aircraft contributes to the total weight.
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AEROSPACE VEHICLES
Aerospace vehicles can be broadly grouped into these three:
1. Fixed wing aircraft
2. Rotary wing aircraft
3. Spacecraft
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1. Fuselage: This is the main body of the aircraft. It provides a surface on which the
wings, tail, and landing gear are attached. It houses the payload (crew, passengers,
and cargo).
2. Wing: The wing is responsible for generating the lift force to keep the aircraft
airborne. A vertical cross-sectional view of the wing reveals a shape called an
airfoil. The wing can generate lift due to the airfoil’s shape. As the wing moves
through the air, the air pressure on top of the wing decreases while the one on the
bottom increases. This creates a pressure difference which results in a net upward
force called lift. In many fixed wing aircrafts, the wings provide a convenient space
to store fuel.
Wings come in different shapes and forms depending on the performance
requirement of the aircraft. For instance, swept wings are often favoured in high-
speed aircraft design due to their reduced drag. The images below illustrate various
wing configurations based on their planform and position.
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3. Ailerons: These are movable control surfaces attached near the trailing edge of
the wings, typically located towards the wingtips. The movable part, called the
elevator, is used to pitch the aircraft up or down as shown in Figure 1.20.
4. Flaps: They are also found at the trailing edge of the wings. They generate more
lift at lower speeds. They also help reduce the speed of the aircraft. They are mostly
used during takeoff and landing. They can also be used mid-flight to enable the
aircraft fly at low speeds.
5. Tail/Empennage: The tail comprises the vertical tail and horizontal tail.
Vertical tail: There is a fixed part and a movable part on the vertical tail. The fixed
part, which does not move relative to the airframe, is called the vertical stabiliser.
The vertical stabiliser provides directional stability to the aircraft. The movable
part is called the rudder. The rudder is used to turn the aircraft’s nose left or right
about the vertical axis, as shown in Figure 1.20.
Horizontal tail: The horizontal tail consists of both a fixed part and a movable
part. The fixed part, known as the horizontal stabilizer, provides stability along
the aircraft’s lateral axis. The movable part, called the elevator, is used to pitch the
aircraft up or down, as shown in Figure 1.20.
There are various tail configurations, and the choice of configuration typically
depends on the aircraft’s intended purpose. The image below illustrates some
common tail configurations.
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6. Landing gear: The landing gear supports the aircraft on the ground during
taxiing, take-off, and landing. Depending on the environment in which the aircraft
is used, it could be made of wheels, skis, or floats.
7. Engine: This provides the power to move the aircraft through the air. It may be an
internal combustion engine that drives a propeller to push backward a jet of air at
high speed.
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Main rotor(s): The main rotors consist of two or more blades connected to a rotating
shaft, powered by an engine that causes them to spin. This spinning action tends to
make the airframe spin in the opposite direction. To counteract this, a tail rotor is used
and without it, a single rotor helicopter would spin uncontrollably. Some rotary wing
aircrafts use a coaxial rotor system or multiple rotors to correct the spin tendency of
the airframe.
Tail rotor: The tail rotor, found in helicopters, is attached to a tail boom and functions
to produce a counterforce that prevents the aircraft from spinning out of control.
The rotor blades can also be adjusted to turn the aircraft. The tail boom houses the
components that transmit power from the main engine to the tail rotor.
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Advantages Disadvantages
1. They can fly for a long period of time. 1. Require runways, catapults, or
other facilities to take off and
2. Highly efficient. hence are limited in small spaces.
3. They can cover long distances. 2. Cannot hover.
4. Can fly at high speeds. 3. Bulky
5. Can carry a heavier payload. 4. Long setup time.
6. More stable in strong winds.
Advantages Disadvantages
1. They have vertical take-off and landing 1. They have short flight time.
(VTOL) capability.
2. They are not very fuel efficient.
2. They can hover.
3. Shorter range.
3. Do not need a runway to take-off or land.
4. Generally, have lower speeds.
Spacecraft
These are vehicles designed to operate beyond Earth’s atmosphere, such as launch
vehicles, satellites, and deep space probes. Spacecrafts must carry oxidisers along
with fuel since there is no air in space. The payload carried by a spacecraft varies
depending on its mission. Common uses of spacecrafts include communications,
Earth observation, meteorology, navigation, space exploration, planetary missions, and
transporting humans and cargo.
A typical spacecraft may have the following elements:
• Instruments for conducting science experiments.
• Structures that hold all the equipment.
• Mechanisms that allow some parts to point independently of the main spacecraft.
• Telecommunications for sending and receiving data.
• Propulsion for correcting the spacecraft’s flight path.
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the experience of releasing the neck of an inflated balloon; as the air exits from the
tip, the balloon moves in the opposite direction. Similarly, in rockets, the action is the
expulsion of gases from the nozzles and the reaction is the propulsion of the rocket in
the opposite direction.
Fig 1.26 An image showing the action (exhaust gas motion) and reaction force (thrust) on a rocket
Activity 1.4
Class discussion
Discuss flight vehicle terminologies based on the following topics. Take note of
important features or ideas to share with the class later.
Discussion points
1. Requirement for flight: generation of lift
a. Discuss the principle of lift and how it enables flight.
b. Explain the role of air foils, such as wings and rotor blades, in generating
lift.
c. Highlight the importance of aerodynamics in designing flight vehicles.
2. Broad classes of aircraft: fixed wing and rotary wing
a. Define fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft and their respective
characteristics.
b. Discuss examples of each type of aircraft and their primary applications.
3. Major parts of a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft
a. Identify and discuss the major parts of a helicopter, including the main
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Activity 1.5
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strings or tape can be used for holding the frame together. The string should be
light and strong enough to be able to withstand the tugging caused by the wind.
Adding a tail is optional but recommended to provide stability to the drone. The
tail can be made from a long piece of fabric of about a metre long. Markers or
paint could be used to decorate the sail. The kite should be tested in an open
field with plenty of space and light wind. Ensure there are no power lines or tall
structures around the field where the kite will be flown.
In the course of performing this activity, ensure the following safety precautions
are adhered to:
1. Wear the necessary personal protective equipment (like safety goggles and
nose mask).
2. Use the right tool for the appropriate task.
3. When using glue, be careful so as to not spill it around. Any spillage should
be quickly wiped with a tissue. In the case where CA glue (Cyanoacrylate
glue or “super glue”) is being used, avoid direct contact with skin and eyes
as this can cause irritation. Do not directly inhale CA glue as this may cause
drowsiness. Also be mindful when using hot glue as it may cause burns when
it comes into direct contact with the skin.
4. Adhere to standard safety practices.
The links below provide a more visual description of how to build a kite
using locally available materials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5k8M2k6GrM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBukRxTt_uA
Self-Assessment
Self-Assessment
What happens when the volume of water in the water rocket is reduced or
increased? Write your results below:
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Current aircrafts
• A current fixed wing aircraft
• A current rotorcraft
• A current spacecraft
Activity 1.6
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Types of Aircraft
https://youtu.be/7zOffU-W_4U
Self-Assessment
Write down and compare the features of the aerospace vehicles you have noted
and share your findings with a friend.
Develop a PowerPoint presentation with your answers.
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GLOSSARY
WORD MEANING
Wind tunnel A large tube designed to test how an object reacts to moving air
Taxi The movement of an aircraft on the ground with its own power
Co-axial rotor Two main rotors mounted on one mast sharing the same axis of
rotation but turning in opposite directions, one on top of the other
Tandem rotor helicopter A helicopter that has two main rotors, one at the front of
the fuselage and the other at the back, which counteract
each other’s torque
Aerodynamics: the way air moves around objects, particularly when they are in
motion
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Review Questions
1. Note down one flying animal. If you are tasked to develop an aircraft, which part
of the animal would you incorporate in your design to make it work better? Briefly
explain your answer.
2. Using an appropriate table or chart, trace the notable milestones in aircraft design
among the early pioneers of aviation.
3. Among the early pioneers of flight, whose invention seemed most revolutionary
in aircraft development?
4. Identify the different parts of the following flight vehicles:
i. Rotary wing
ii. Fixed wing
iii. Spacecraft
5. State two differences between an aircraft and a spacecraft.
6. You are appointed as the chief of police in a busy urban environment. Which
aircraft type would you choose for aerial patrols, and why?
7. Make sketches of two possible future concepts of an aircraft or spacecraft.
Videos
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_aviation#:~:text=The%20history%20
of%20aviation%20extends,heavier%2Dthan%2Dair%20jets.&text=Kite%20
flying%20in%20China%20dates,slowly%20spread%20around%20the%20world.
2. https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/UEET/StudentSite/historyofflight.html
3. https://www.britannica.com/technology/history-of-flight
4. https://www.twinkl.com.gh/teaching-wiki/the-history-of-aviation
5. https://www.history.com/news/history-flight-aviation-timeline
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
List of Contributors
Name Institution
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