History of Aircraft Development

By Richard Perry

On December 17, 1903 Wilbur Wright watched in amazement as his brother Orville Wright took off and landed the world’s first powered airplane flight. The flight lasted twelve seconds and traveled a distance of one hundred and twenty feet, which is less than the length of many of today's commercial airliners. The Wright brothers flew three other flights on that historical day as well, the longest of them being the eight hundred fifty two foot, fifty nine second record flight piloted by Wilbur. The brothers encountered many obstacles they had to overcome before creating a successful aircraft. One of the obstacles was finding an engine that was light enough yet powerful enough to get the plane off the ground. Another problem they faced was keeping the plane stabilized witch they accomplished by shifting themselves from side to side. The two brothers also had to design their own airplane propeller.

Bernoulli’s Principal is perhaps of the most important factor in allowing an aircraft to leave the ground. The wings shape allows the air to move faster over the top side of the wing witch creates lift. Many forces act on an airplane in order to allow it to liftoff and fly. One of these forces is thrust. Thrust provides and aircraft the necessary velocity needed in order to generate lift which is another force. Thrust is created by propellers and engines. Lift is another force which is created when air travels faster over the top of an airplane wing than it does on the bottom generating lift. The heavier that aircraft is the more thrust is required to generate lift. Drag is the opposing force to thrust and can be reduced depending on the shape of the plane. Drag is created by every part of an airplane, it is the skin friction between the molecules of the air and the solid surface of the aircraft. Gravity affects airplanes the same way it would as a paper airplane pulling it back toward the ground and acting against all 3 of the other forces.

The shape of a birds wing is similar to the shape of a plane’s wing with allows it to fly a glide, however a bird can change direction quickly because of its ability to tilt its wings in different directions. The overall shape of a birds body in flight is also very aerodynamic and creates minimal drag. Propeller acts as a spinning wing and pulls an airplane forward providing it with the necessary thrust to liftoff of the ground. The Wright brothers created the first propeller in order to lift their aircraft off the ground. A helicopter is different from a airplane because it can take off and land vertically, and also hover in place. The angle at which the helicopter blades are facing allows a helicopter to fly and change directions. The flight of a helicopter also depends on the speed in which the blades are spinning and in what direction.

Jet engines provide an airplane with a great amount a forward movement allowing a plane to move very fast. Air is sucked into the jet engine through the front fan. The pressure of the air is then raised by a compressor and sprayed with fuel. An electric spark then ignites and is blasted through a nozzle in the back causing tremendous forward thrust. Rocket engines are engines driven by reaction. A good example of how a rocket works is a blown up balloon with air. The balloon does not move when it is closed, but when the back is released it shoots forward. The balloon shoots forward because it is the reaction of the air shoot out of the back, just as a rocket shoot forward as its fuel is shot out the back.

Richard Perry is a senior specialist at Term Papers writing department of EssayMall.com. The author has many years of experience in Research Paper development.

Great Flying Tips for the Paper Airplane Enthusiast!

By Sara Gray

Okay, so you’ve mastered the art of making paper airplanes, now it’s time to learn some great paper airplane flying tips to make them fly better than ever.

Speed

Because the way a plane is designed and made, it will like certain angle and speeds depending on what kind of paper airplane it is. For Dart paper airplanes, since they are thin and sleek, they like fast throws either at eye-level or higher.

Glider paper airplanes are for slow flying. They have a wide, flat shape and prefer a slower, more gentle push to make them work the best. The best angle for Gliders is either at eye-level or at a more downward angle.

Stunt paper planes can be thrown at practically any angle, and at various speeds, you just need to experiment.

The best paper airplanes for indoor flying would be Darts and slow Gliders that only need calm air and not a lot of space. Remember, never aim a paper airplane at someone’s face. It could easily hurt an eye or two! The best planes to fly outside would be the more rugged types like Stunts, high-flying Gliders, and smaller Darts. These types can handle more airspace and air currents that wouldn’t normally be found inside.

Lift vs. Gravity

When you drop a piece of paper – no matter what the shape – it falls immediately to the ground. This of course, is gravity. But if you throw your piece of paper or airplane, something holds it in the air a little longer. That “something” is lift and it’s a force just like gravity.

In flight, lift and gravity are constantly fighting over the little ol’ paper airplane. As long as lift wins, the plane goes up. But when gravity takes over, and it always will, your plane will crash to the ground. Lift is helped or not, by the types of wings built on your plane, the elevators or ailerons used, etc. You just have to experiment with each of your paper airplanes to find the right balance.

Angle of Attack

The plane’s wings make an incline when oncoming air hits it. This is called the “angle of attack.” Most planes, the wings are higher than the back. So, when you throw or push a plane into the air, the rush of air hits the bottom of the wing and bounces off. This bouncing off air pushes the wing upward, giving the plane lift.

Thrust vs. Drag

We know now, that gravity and lift control how high or low a plane can go. Thrust and drag is what changes the speed of your paper aircraft. Thrust is any force that makes an airplane move forward. In paper airplanes, the only thrust your plane gets is from you throwing it.

Thrust for metal planes comes from jets and propellers. Drag is what air does to a plane to slow it down. The faster a plane moves, the more air hits it and the more air pushes it. The bigger your wings are, the more air hits the plane and this causes drag. This is the reason why Gliders go slower than Darts.

What keeps a plane in the air? An amount of thrust that can defeat gravity and drag. Get that super bionical arm working and you COULD have your plane going forever! If only that were true! Here’s a good rule to go by: small wings = less drag = faster flight. Large wings = more drag = slower flight.

Put these tips into practice and become a MASTER paper airplane pilot.

Happy Flying!

Sara Gray is a Mom and graphic designer with a love for anything made of paper. She's created a fun place to go learn all about Paper Airplanes, its history, interesting facts, loads of fascinating tidbits of paper airplane lore, and offers free downloadable paper airplane designs at Easy Paper Airplanes.

Windmill Electricity - How to Use Turbine Wind Power to Light Up Your Home

By Krishnan Varadarajan

Do you know that we have been using wind energy for many years? Windmill electricity is not a new concept. Windmills were used in the past to pump water from the well. They were also used to grind grains. Read on to know how you can have your own windmill power system...

Windmill electricity turbines are mounted on tall towers to get the appropriate amount of wind. Normally these systems are installed 30 meters above the ground so that the wind flow is good and less turbulent. These turbines have blades similar to a propeller. Normally there are two or three blades that are mounted on a shaft to form a rotor.

When the wind blows and hits the blades, it creates a lift and drag effect. This combination of lift and drag causes the blades to rotate the rotor, which in turn spins the generator to produce electricity.

The only disadvantage with windmill electricity is that when the wind stops blowing, the rotor will not rotate and hence there will be no electricity produced.

The windmill system can easily be combined with the grid system to produce an effective energy saving system. If the amount of electricity produced by your wind turbines exceeds your requirements, then you can actually sell electricity to the utility company and make some money.

With the huge increase in oil prices, governments all over the world are encouraging the implementation of alternate natural energy solutions like the windmill-based system.

People who stay in windy areas can easily install their own windmill electricity system and easily save on electricity cost. For as little as $ 200 you can have the basic windmill system installed on your rooftop.

To install your own Windmill Electricity system for less than $ 200 get access to this step by step guide: http://www.know-to.com/energy/solar.html

Is The Golf Ball The Real Reason For Longer Drives ?

By Bill Ritchie

A Little History First

To determine this point, we have to travel back in time and see how the original golf ball was formed.

The original golf balls as most of us know, were made from goose feathers stuffed into a round leather ball. It is estimated that those could be hit as far as 170 yards with the modern club.

The next technological advance was the gutta percha ball. This was made from tree sap or rubber and compressed into a round mould. A modern club can hit this about 200 yards on average.

The Haskell method was to improve the ball construction, by having a soft core, and winding thin rubber around this core. This ball can be hit around the 225 to 250 yard range.

Further advances saw the introduction of a liquid core with a soft balata cover. However the ball became misshapen after several hits on it. It is rumoured that the great Ben Hogan passed his golf balls through a metal ring to check for roundness.

The modern golf ball has taken several leaps forward from those days. This golf ball is mainly made with a surlyn or a urethane cover, which offers the same feel as a balata covered ball.

Surlyn® is a synthetic, highly resilient, durable material that is used in the majority of golf balls in the industry. This material provides for a golf ball that will stand up to the durability test that the avid golfer demands, while allowing many different options for spin & distance combinations. Could last for many rounds of golf, assuming that you did not lose the golf ball first.

The core is formed with a mixture of polybutediene and other compounds to give this soft core. Over the past four years, golf ball technology has evolved from a primarily wound-ball construction to the solid core/two piece construction to the double-core/four piece construction.

The distances achieved with this ball can be in excess of 300 yards.

But Is That all There Is To It ?

No, there are still a few more key points to understand, like dimples, the affect of spin, compression, storage conditions, and the rules that govern golf ball construction.

How do dimple patterns affect the flight/trajectory of a golf ball?

Dimples provide the lift needed to get a ball airborne. Without them a golf ball's performance would be severely restricted. Golf balls come in a variety of different dimple patterns. Some promote a higher flight trajectory that many golfers need, while others promote a lower, more piercing trajectory. In general though, balls with deeper dimples will tend to have a lower trajectory. Deeper dimples create more turbulence in the boundary layer, which makes it more difficult for air to flow over the ball creating less lift. Those with shallower dimples typically will generate a higher trajectory.

Dimple pattern - the dimple pattern on a golf ball does not affect the spin, it creates the aerodynamic lift that allows a spinning ball to remain in the air longer. Varying the dimple size also affects the aerodynamics of a ball. By matching the dimple pattern and the construction of a ball, manufacturers can optimise the resulting trajectory for both distance and control.

It is the combination of the lift and drag properties of the ball, as well as its speed, launch angle and spin rate, which will dictate the flight path or trajectory of the ball, and thus the distance it will go.

A perfectly smooth golf ball with no dimples would travel about 130 yards when hit with a driver by a good player. On the other hand, a ball with well-designed dimples, struck the same way, will travel about 290 yards.

Dimple design has changed significantly over time, from random patterns, to formal rows, to interstitial designs. The depth, shape and number have all been varied and tested.

Spin Rate

A golf ball's spin rate refers to the speed it spins on an axis while in flight, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm). Spin rate off a driver generally ranges between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, while the average, cleanly struck wedge shot spins at about 10,000 rpm.

Spin generates lift, thus a shot's spin rate directly influences how high the ball flies and how quickly it stops after landing. Beyond the manufacturer’s hype, there are real differences in ball construction affecting driving distance, approach control, putting roll, balance and cost.

Modern balls are made to very high standards of consistency and quality.

In driver shots, an excessive amount of spin will cause the ball to soar, resulting in a loss of distance. Too little spin will prevent lift and reduce carry. Keeping the amount of spin at an appropriate level and hitting shots that trace ideal parabolic paths are the formula for maximizing distance.

The manufacturer can affect the spin rate with a variety of methods. The main way appears to be by having a larger softer core, which in turn provides more spin less distance. Another method is to have the soft core encased in a mantle cover. This cover can be harder and thicker. The more flexible this cover the more spin.

Compression

Compression of a golf ball gradually became more of feel thing
In the end the constant high quality of 2-piece balls made compression as a quality index obsolete

Today the term compression is used in combination with a number ranging from 0 to 200. This figure tells us by how much a golf ball is deformed under a compressive force.

Although this term is now becoming obsolete it is still important to understand the importance of compression with regards to a golfer’s swing.

As golf balls are mass produced, all 3-piece balls and some 2-piece balls are measured by their compression and rated accordingly.

In order to do so balls are pressured with a standard weight. A ball, which does not deform is rated Compression 200, a ball that lets itself be deformed by 2/10 of an inch or more is rated Compression 0.

Standard Compression rate of a golf ball is 90 or 100. The lower the Compression rate the softer the feel. Most balls are subject to a rating by compression.

Surveys have shown that low speed swing players should use a ball with a Compression rate of 80. Average speed swing players should use Compression 100 and high speed swing players Compression 110.

However, new golf balls do not have an actual number, and prefer to say low spin rate or long distance. So read the label as they say.

How long can a golf ball last under normal storage conditions?

Under normal storage conditions (70-80 degrees Fahrenheit) a golf ball can last forever. However, it must be understood that certain factors can affect a ball’s overall performance.

Golf balls can lose their performance characteristics in cases of extreme heat or cold, and their construction is such that even under normal storage conditions, there can be a loss of performance over time.

But Is It The Ball Or The Club That Provides The Distance?

There are of course many factors, which have a direct impact on increased driving distance over the past 2 decades. Such factors as fitness, materials, courses, and technique, have helped increase the driving distance over the years.

Every manufacturer has developed a golf ball which has specific characteristic built in, whether it is distance, spin or mixture of both. The manufacturer is able to do, as they want to the ball. The Trend is going to a balance between spin (rpm) and higher launch angle and hence more distance.

Tests were carried out by Nick Faldo using a modern golf driver, on a gutta percha ball, and the ball did not travel more than 150 yards.

When he used an old wooden golf club, and a modern golf ball, the ball travelled more than 260 yards.

This showed that the modern golf ball is definitely the key to distance.

Conclusion

Golf balls are distance balls, constructed to stop quickly on the green, with less of the risk of slice or hook into trouble that a pure spin ball brings. Recent advances in construction technology are spawning a new breed of balls that can do it all, such as the Titleist ProV1, and Callaway Hex.

SLOW SWING (often called Ladies or Senior) balls are designed to optimise driving distance for less powerful players with slower club head speeds.

Most balls are imperfectly balanced and thus do not putt completely true. Premium quality balls may be manufactured to higher quality control standards and thus less likely to randomly wander off track.

Try to find out which modern affordable golf ball meets your style of play. It is better to play consistently with a ball you can afford than to play competitions with a premium ball that you cannot afford to practice with. Balls with cuts or used until no longer spherical add nothing to your game. Better to play an affordable ball and replace it regularly.

To find out more, and other interesting facts on golf matters, why not go to http://www.thegolfprofessor.com

About The Author: Bill Ritchie is the owner of http://www.thegolfprofessor.com website, which is a great golf resource with a variety of information about this wonderful game of golf.

Why not take a look at: http://www.thegolfprofessor.com/

Golf Ball Facts - Reasons Golf Balls Have Dimples

By Abhishek Agarwal

When you picture the golf ball in your mind, you imagine a small white solid ball with lot s of indented marks on them. This is unique to golf balls and these indented areas are what help a player control a golf ball in flight, in other words they give better control to the player. These indentations are also called golf ball dimples.

Dimples were first used on the golf balls around a century ago. This is after many players reported that damaged balls seemed to travel so much further than brand new ones. After they reported this, companies started making the balls in odd shapes to help them get this effect. One William Taylor spent a lot of time studying golf ball shapes and their paths in flight, and he is who perfected the dimples that are common on every golf ball that you will see today.

The lift and the drag are the two forces of aerodynamics that affect the course of a golf ball in flight. The indentations or dimples allow air flow to be smooth over the golf ball so that the fraction is at minimum. The dimples help decrease the drag effect and also increase the lift effect. As a result, the ball travels faster and further, thanks to these dimples.

The normal number of indentation on a golf ball in America is around three hundred and thirty six, but it is between three hundred and five hundred all around the world. Whatever the manufacturer, golf balls tend to have an even number of dimples on them with the exception of only one variety that has three hundred and thirty three. We often hear of pros ordering a set of balls with a specific number of dimples. The number of dimples as well as their depths is what affects the ball in flight, and so much has been written and researched on the topic.

Golf rules allow that the upper limit of area of the ball that can be made up of dimples as eighty percent, regardless of the number of them, which can even be a thousand. The largest number of dimples that has been put on record is one thousand and seventy. Research shows us that a perfect golf ball with the right number of dimples (around three hundred) can and does travel about twice the distance as a smooth ball without any indentations on the surface. Keeping that in mind, it is no wonder that pros ask for a specific number of dimples on their balls.

The wooden ball of yesteryear has metamorphosed into what we today commonly see as the solid golf ball with all these dimples on it. This is thanks only to study and research.

Abhishek is an avid Golfing enthusiast and he has got some great Golfing Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 63 Pages Ebook, "Understanding And Enjoying Golf" from his website http://www.Golf-Skills.com/97/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

How to Build Working Model Airplanes

By Sandra De Charo

Why is building model airplanes such a popular hobby?

Maybe because it is a great combination between exciting adventure and educational experience. There is no surprise that this hobby is as popular within adults as it is within children. It can be easy enough for a child and challenging enough for an adult to build a model airplane.

Some people like to build static scale models. They require very precious work and great attention to the details. But for me the most glorious building experience is to make model airplanes that really fly. Seeing your model soaring in the sky is the true reward to all your efforts. Sounds tempting? Let's start!

Here are your options to build a working model airplane:

Build a Free Flight Airplane
The free flight model airplanes are simple to build. The most important thing to watch when building is the symmetry of the wings and the aerodynamic. You can build free flight models from wood or plastic.

This kind of model aircraft is a good place to start for beginners. Just don't get disappointed if your first model doesn't fly very well.

Build an RC Aircraft
Building a remote control airplane requires deep technical knowledge. So should you skip this option? Not necessary - even if you are technically challenged, you can simply use a ready remote control tool and engine. Then, just build the parts of the aircraft together, paint and you have it.

Even with a ready engine, this option is more appropriate for more advanced aviation modelists.

Build a Rubber Band Powered Airplane
You must have seen this kind of models when you were a child. They are so cute and simple - a great project even for kids!

Don't underestimate the complexity of these models however. Just like with the free flight aircraft, aerodynamic and symmetry play a big role here. Again, balsa wood and plastic are the most appropriate materials to use.

Build a Flying Helicopter
Helicopters are really a different category. If we talked about static models it wouldn't matter so much, but building a flying model helicopter is a real art! In this case your only option is an RC helicopter, because I still have to see a free flight one that flies good.

The remote control of the model helicopters is much more complicated too, so unless you have a lot of experience with electronics, you would prefer to use a ready one.

And there are three ways to build any of the above model airplanes:

Get a Kit
The most popular and the easiest option to build a working model airplane is by using an aircraft kit. The kits contain all the parts you need plus detailed instructions what to do with them. Some kits are called almost-ready-to-fly which means they are, well, almost built. You just can't go wrong with them! Well, you can, but it takes some talent.

If you have never build a flying model airplane before, using a kit is the most recommended option.

Use Plans
What, building with a kit is not challenging enough for you? You are not alone! A lot of people prefer to build everything themselves. They only need a detailed plan since they are not aviation engineers. Many plans can be found online for free and some are sold for just few bucks.

How hard is to build an airplane like that? It depends on the model complexity, the material and your experience.

Build Completely From Scratch
And if you are really truly enthusiastic and experienced in building model airplanes, you would certainly enjoy the idea to construct and build it entirely yourself.

Of course to do that you must know avionics, aerodynamics and physics - and you'd better have built many models with plans or kits before.

Are you ready to start the journey? You have so many options to choose from. If you feel confused and don't know what to choose, learn more about the model airplanes.

Before building there are two must read articles for you - the one is about plastic model airplanes and the other is about model airplane kits. Make sure to check them out and then go ahead!

Hot Body Kits - Learn to Mod Your Car

By Johnny S Johnson

Every time you see one passing you by, it leaves you wanting it. Leave the velocity and general performance in the back; just regard it for the moment as pure style. We're talking about body kits. They will customize your vehicle so that you can take away Ford's involvement and make it completely your own.

Body kits help you modify your car in some way. You can do this to virtually any exterior car part. Just investigate for one which will fulfill any desires you have for the re-design.

Jim Hall invented the body kit in 1961 as a way to augment his car's aerodynamic ability. Aerodynamics is how wind travels your car's perimeter with minimal exertion. When done properly, your car faces less air resistance and your engine is also cooled down simultaneously. What Hall's body kit did was force the car downward so that the air resistance will be lessened. Your car's velocity is improved with the reduced air blockade. This technology aids car owners in performance augmentation and in stylizing the outside for a cool, impressive, unique, look.

There are several parts to choose from when investigating body kits. Thanks to films such as The Fast and the Furious, society now has many ideas about how they should upgrade their car into a vehicle that looks fabulous. Body kits are now more popular than ever.

One popular item is the Lambo dons. They are slider doors which turn up 90° when you open them up. They make a car look more costly, cool, and sportier. They also add positively to the aerodynamics.

Spoilers are another popular installation. They really make your car look cool and not to mention, if you're a drag racer, these will significantly help your car in those endeavors. But, it's okay if you're not into drag racing as well. They come in a plethora of styles so that most cars can accommodate them.

One part to consider is a roof scoop. They augment the aerodynamics of a vehicle and they are fantastic for keeping your car from overheating.

If you really want to make sure your car comes out of its body kit treatment looking so unique, you have to pick out the parts with your own mind. The most difficult part of the body kit procedure is to make sure the body kit you choose fits your car.

Andy's Auto Sport has the hottest and most stylish selections of Body Kits. Click here for all of the latest styles:

http://www.andysautosport.com/body_kits.html

Car Body Kits - From Hondas to Lamborghinis

By Johnny S Johnson

You can see them rushing all around you. The speed in these cars is one thing but there is style too. Body kits will remodel your car the way you always wanted but never thought possible. A body kit is anything that adds a new look to your car. A kit can be put on your front bumper, the hood or anywhere you like. Just remember to choose the right body kit for your needs, whether you drive a Honda or a Lamborghini.

Body kits were first used in 1961 when Jim Hall applied hem to improve aerodynamics by letting the air go around the car more efficiently. Aerodynamics is letting the wind go around your car with minimal effort. When done right, the air pushes down the car and cools down the engine. Today, people use aerodynamic technology in body kits to improve their cars and to make them look good. Roof scoops can be a good way to improve the aerodynamics of a car. A lot of people buy scoops only for show but in races roof scoops are the best way to go.

When talking about aerodynamics, we have to mention car spoilers. Spoilers improve the ability of your car to move through the air efficiently and also add style. Their efficiency makes them irreplaceable in drag racing, but they will do fine if you just want to get around town. Spoilers are produced in different shapes and sizes to match different car models and the trend today, which started in Japan, is to build the shapes and styles into the car when it's produced. This gives the driver both a great look and performance and a lower final cost. I'm sure you've drooled over the hot girls and hot cars in "Fast and Furious," and now you can drool over your own car.

The toughest thing about buying a car body kit is the choosing it. If you want to give your car a unique look, you need to pick out all the parts by yourself. There are tons of Honda and Lamborghini body kits for sale on the net - find a trusted auto parts dealer and get yours today at lower prices than at your retail body kits store. Remember to speak to your local mechanic first, as they know from first hand experience what works and what won't work for your particular car; with the right color and style, be prepared for a "Fast and Furious" type thriller ride!

Andy's Auto Sport has the hottest and most stylish selections of Body Kits. Click here for all of the latest styles:

http://www.andysautosport.com/body_kits.html

Flying Electric RC Airplane - Basics of Aerodynamics

By Dhaval Bhatt

This topic explains you the basics of aerodynamics and airplane parts. A lot more goes on behind the scenes when you fly your RC Airplane. Understanding the basics of aerodynamics and airplane parts can really help you gain the mastery in flying your Electric RC Airplane.

Why do you need to learn Basics of Aerodynamics to fly your RC Airplane?

The key difference between the experts and amateurs is that the experts understand their material from "inside-out".

If you enjoy flying your RC Airplane, you need to master these material to become an expert at flying it. Not understanding this material would make the art of flying as something very complex and difficult. Not understanding this material would make you feel like an outsider, merely using your RC Airplane as a toy. If you want to get good at flying it, you need to consider this as an art, not a hobby.

You don't need to be a science geek to understand it - it is presented in a fairly simple language and if you are attentive, you will really enjoy reading this material.

Here we go...Enjoy !

Parts of Airplane

Airplane can be divided into five main parts: Fuselage, Wing, Empennage, Powerplant, and Landing Gear. Each of these five parts have their own functions.

Fuselage is the central component of airplane - the other parts are usually attached the fuselage.

Wings make the aircraft fly - they generate essential force called "lift" that makes the airplane fly. Airplanes with single set of wings are known as monoplanes, whereas the ones with two sets are called biplanes. Wings contain two other parts of airplane known as aileron and flaps. Ailerons move in opposite direction and cause the airplane to roll. Flaps, when moved downwards, extend the lifting force during take-offs and landings.

The Empennage includes vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer. Rudder is attached to the end of vertical stabilizer, whereas elevator is attached to the end of horizontal stabilizer. Rudder helps to move the plane left or right, whereas elevator is used to move the airplane up or down.

Landing Gear supports the airplane and absorbs the loads during landing. Landing gear mainly consists of three wheels, two main wheels located on the either side of the fuselage and a third wheel located either at the front or the back of the Airplane.

Powerplant includes engine and propeller. The main job of engine is to provide the power to turn the propeller which in turn translates the rotating force of engine into the forward-acting force known as thrust to help move the airplane forward in the air.

Forces Acting on Airplane

The four forces acting on airplane at any given time are Lift, Weight, Drag, and Thrust. In straight and level un-accelerated flight, lift equals weight and thrust equals drag.

What makes Airplane Fly?

In order to understand what makes airplane fly, we need to understand a simple scientific principle. Don't be too intimidated, this principle is fairly simple.

Bernoulli's principle states that "as the velocity of fluid increases, its internal pressure decreases." Surface of wing when interacts with the airstream, it generates lift.

Look at airfoil picture in the photo's section

As you can see, the air moves a lot faster from the upper surface of the airfoil, which causes lower air pressure on top, whereas, low-velocity air flow through the bottom of the airfoil causes high pressure at the bottom of the airfoil. This difference in pressure is what causes the force of lift - that's how airplanes fly.

Aircraft Axes of Flight

There are three axes of flight: Longitudinal, lateral, and vertical axes. These three axes have a common reference point known as the center of gravity.

When the aileron's move, they cause rolling movement along the longitudinal axis of airplane. When the elevator's move, they cause pitch up or pitch down movement along the lateral axis of airplane.

When the Rudder moves, it causes rotational movements along the vertical axis of airplane.

There is a lot more to this and I strongly recommend you continue advancing your skills and knowledge on flying your RC plane. To keep yourself updated and get special tips on effectively building and flying your rc plane, visit me at my Electric RC Airplane Blog.

Dhaval Bhatt
Electric RC Airplane Artist

Aerodynamics For Fast Electric RC Cars

By Niranjan Pradhan

Speed thrills and that is why fast electric rc cars are popular among radio controlled hobbyists. But did you ever wonder how much effort goes into designing a system that goes up to once unimaginable speeds that we are now accustomed to.

Simply put it's immense.

There are so many aspects of making fast electric rc cars that are responsible for the kind of speed that they are designed for. One of those very important parameters is the aerodynamics of the car body. You will see how and why the aerodynamics of a fast electric rc car plays such a pivotal role in designing the vehicle.

Aerodynamics is basically the study of forces that come on a body when it travels at a great speed through a medium especially air or atmospheric air. This word is mostly used in context of aeroplanes, rockets and spaceships. But then it becomes equally important in case of fast cars.

Basic Governing Principle

The principle that forms the basis of aerodynamic study is the Bernoulli's theorem. It says that the total energy at any point of flow will always be constant. However energy will change from one form to another. For e.g. potential energy may be converted to kinetic energy or heat or some other form of energy without disturbing the total amount of heat.
On a closer mathematical analysis you will find the following relationship.

P α 1/V
Where P = Pressure
V= Velocity

The relationship above means that on a surface like that of your fast electric rc cars body if the velocity of air increases then the pressure exerted on that surface would reduce.
Now let me make it more lucid for you to understand.

You have two surfaces of your rc car. One is the top surface and the second is the bottom surface. When the car rushes through air in one direction essentially air flows along the surfaces in opposite direction. However because of the design it so happens that the speed of air flowing through the top surface is slower as compared to that of the air flowing along the bottom surface. As per the principle above with decrease in speed the pressure on top surface increases. This increase in top surface pressure greatly improves the stability of the vehicle while running at high speeds. It pushes the car down which in turn provides the traction needed for smooth running.

RC sprint cars have a very high speed to weight ratio. Thus it is very important for them to have a design that is favorable and can take care of the aerodynamic forces to come up with a much more stable rc car.

Overall aerodynamics plays a very important role not only in case of fast electric rc cars but also in many other areas like real life cars, aeroplanes, rockets, sail planes, missiles, fighter aircrafts etc.

Author is a regular contributor to the rc cars site http://www.rccarshub.com You have the right to republish this article provided you retain this resource box as it is.

New Aircraft Design - An Aerodynamics Discussion

By Lance Winslow

Can a Canard Biplane Aircraft with a backward swept bottom wing and a forward swept top wing with an above fuselage engine that is aft make a promising prototype? The Online Think Tank believes so and has submitted the first artists concept rough sketches. Here is what one thinker had to say about the design:

Joseph asks: "Looking at the sketch book picture of a New Aircraft Design, I thought what if the wind power... was incorporated into the design..."

The reply to Joseph's question was interesting; Greetings Joseph, hope you are well. Indeed, my thinking on that design; and realize that the sketch needs a little bit of work, i.e. better angle perspectives on the wings to provide continuous flow from bottom to top. Now, since nearly all the airflow generated is wrapped around back into the intake, you could run the aircraft on wind. My design considers trying to build an aircraft that has an extremely short wingspan, maximizing the airflow.

Thus a smaller version could be a flying car, with a wing span within the lanes of a road. Drive down the road and once you had adequate airflow it would lift off the ground at very slow speeds. For instance a UAV on an aircraft carrier, short wings, easy to stack, not much space needed to store, to land or take off due to STOL capabilities. The range would be far due to the maximized efficiency. If a blown-up version was made it makes a nice dirigible (5-year airborne craft) with solar because it could be wrapped (like a bus wrap) with solar cells, on graphene coating, giving it structural integrity too. With a dirigible, it could fill with ram air and increase speed by dumping air. Fast speed, slow speed, low drag, high drag, with morphing. It makes a nice design for recon, flying car, private plane NASA SATS style, etc.

So, yes, the motor could be wind powered, tickle charging could come from the friction on the surfaces (static electricity) + solar and plug in at a home, aircraft carrier. The design seems plausible for this wind aircraft concept. Especially considering the Gravity Aircraft design by the kid at GA Tech and adding in a dirigible component, buoyancy techniques. Tell you what take a look at the sketch, and let us know what you think?

http://www.worldthinktank.net/pdfs/NewAircraftDesign1.pdf

by Lance Winslow an hobby writer posting articles on the Internet at less than worthy websites

How Ford Uses Aerodynamics For Fuel Efficiency

By Deb Downes

Auto manufacturers pay special attention to the details of aerodynamics when they design and build a car. After all, good, smooth wind flow can mean a huge difference in price and fuel efficiency when it comes to actually operating the vehicle. In order to increase the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, designers at Ford not only pay attention to the design of the car, but they also need to be respectful of the materials that are used to manufacture the vehicle.

Take the Ford Flex, for example. The Ford Flex, which offers a new 2009 design to the Ford lineup, looks quite boxy from any vantage point. It's a short, mid-sized SUV that, according to many, believe looks like the grown-up version of the popular Mini Cooper. How is it possible to create fuel efficiency out of such a boxy model? Easy, said Ford. Just put the best designers and engineers on the case.

Using a wind tunnel, Flex designers spent countless hours simulating wind flow as the refined the design of the car. Subtle tweaks according to a recent press release issued by the company, resulted in huge fuel efficiency improvements and power efficiency. For example, when travelling at 55 miles-per-hour, the Ford Flex uses only 8.9 horsepower - nearly a full horse less than even larger sized vehicles made by competitors.

Also, the drag created by the vehicle is measured at .355, whereas close competitors measure a drag of about .375. The lower body of the car made it possible for engineers to play with the drag more, refining its efficiency every step of the way. In the end, drivers will enjoy increased fuel economy, which pulls in 24 miles to the gallon on the highway and 17 in the city.

While car design and manufacturing may seem like a glamorous job done on paper, Ford proves that hands-on tweaking and research actually goes a long way to creating a car that is not only stylish and easy to drive, but also fuel efficient and sensible.

Your Ford experts in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Our line up of new and pre-owned vehicles has a choice for everyone. Browse our site to get all the answers to your questions at http://www.advantageford.ca/

Body Kit Aerodynamics By Steve Breault

By Steve Breault

A body kit is often thought of as an enhancement in your cars appearance, but it is much more than in upgrade in style. You can actually increase the performance and handling of your ride as well as improving the aerodynamics of your cars body.

Underbody lift is an issue when driving at high speeds. The faster you drive the more air is forced under your cars body. This can cause you to lose control of your car, or give you poor handling performance. Just imagine turning on a fan that is pointed at a piece of paper on the table. Once the wind from that fan kicks on, it goes right under that piece of paper and lifts it right up off the table. This is what happens to your car.

You can redirect some of that wind over the top of your car with a body kit. By moving more of the air over the top of the car will create down force helping to press your car down toward the road giving you better traction, and decreasing your possibilities of losing control.

There are other components that can help with creating down force to different sides of the car. A wind splitter will help to put more down force on the front of the car. A Wind Splitters is a protruding flat surface in the front of a car that is designed to decrease front end lift and exert down force. Front bumper canards are also used to add down force at the front of the car. The added down force stabilizes the cars chassis during hard cornering and increases traction for faster lap times. An adjustable wing or spoiler will assist in the down force at the rear of the car. As the air passes over the top of the cars body it comes in contact with the wing pressing down creating better rear end traction. Some wings are adjustable so you can tune your traction by adjusting the angle of your wing.

Not all air can be redirected from under your car, but you can help the air that goes under your car move smoothly to reduce any sort of turbulence. A rear diffuser will help redirect and transition high speed air into low pressure in the rear. This will allow all of your other aerodynamic components to work at a greater capacity.

With all of these items on your car you will be sure to have the best handling ride with the best aerodynamics. Add a body kit, wind splitter, an adjustable wing, canards, and a rears diffuser to your car and you will be set.

Aerodynamic Body kits


Parts Train Ensures Durability and Performance for the Honda CRV 2005

By Jenny McLane


The 2005 Honda CRV has new exterior and interior styling, additional standard safety equipment as well as the addition of a new Special Edition (SE) model with features such as leather interior and body-color bumpers.

The Special Edition has heated leather seats and door mirrors, and a leather steering wheel and shift knob. Externally, the CR-V SE also adds body-colored bumpers, side molding, door handles and hard spare tire cover. The exterior of the Honda CR-V has newly designed front grill, cylindrical-shaped headlights and aerodynamic front bumper, side sill and side protector, rear combination lights and rear bumper, new Arch flare with one-piece mudguard. It also has 16" wheels for all trim levels, along with a new EX alloy and LX steel wheel designs.

Interior features for the CR-V have also been significantly updated for the 2005 model year. On the EX trim level, steering mounted audio controls and outside temperature gauge has been added. Also, all models now feature new retractable grab rails and larger seatback pockets.

Added features include integrated keyless remote entry, steering wheel mounted audio controls and outside temperature gauge added to EX trim level , new cam-driven ‘Real Time' 4WD mechanism on all models (replaces hydraulic pump-type system). All models (LX, EX and SE) come with A/C, power windows and locks, cruise control and 16-inch wheels (another new-for-'05 feature) already included. The step-up EX adds an electric sunroof, keyless entry and secondary steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio system. Top SE versions add heated leather seats, body-colored bumpers, and a hard plastic spare cover for the tailgate-mounted spare.

The CR-V performs well with adequate acceleration and good fuel economy coming from its 160-horsepower 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine. Honda's industry-leading 'Safety for Everyone' program equipped all CRV’s with a longer list of standard safety equipment including front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control, side-impact door beams and front/rear crumple zones.

If this is Honda we have now, then Partstrain is the Auto Parts Company that takes care of an amazing vehicle like Honda CRV 2005. In stock at its online store at http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/HONDA is a complete array of Honda Replacement Parts, Aftermarket Parts and Accessories from engine and electrical parts to radiator parts, auto body parts and trim. Accessories like Honda bumpers, ground effects body kits and Honda spoilers to get that modified look for your Honda. Their friendly customer service staffs await you and are ready to serve your every auto parts replacement needs.

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

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