How do aeroplanes fly?

By The Aero Mastry - June 14, 2020

We often see aircrafts flying. Have you ever thought how aircrafts fly?

If you're trying to understand how planes fly, First we have to understand the basic forces acting on an aircraft.

If the lift generated by an aircraft is more than the gravitational pull of earth (weight), the aircraft lifts up in air.

If the thrust produced is more than drag, the aircraft moves forward in air.

How lift is generated?

Lift is generated due to pressure difference on the top and bottom side of an aerofoil.

When the aircraft is on the ground equal amount of air molecules strike the top and bottom surface and therefore no lift is produced.

But when aircraft is in motion the airfoil is deployed at some angle. More air molecules strike on bottom surface than before and less air molecules on the top surface creating pressure difference.

High pressure below the airfoil and low pressure on top of the airfoil and the pressure always travels from high pressure areas to low pressure areas creates a lift force. And to move forward in air we use different types of engines that produces thrust.

This phenomenon is applicable of Newton's third law.

i.e.,For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Now the question comes, Can planes fly without airfoil shaped wing?

you'll know that if you've ever made a paper plane. It was proved on December 17, 1903 by the Wright brothers. Their aeroplanes were simply pieces of cloth stretched over a wooden framework; they didn't have an airfoil (aerofoil) profile. The Wrights realized that the angle of attack is crucial. The bigger the wings, the more will be the lift.

Thanks for reading 😍