How does it all work?

mirwillbeback

Hi,

First time poster on this forum, though have had an interest ( and a scanner ) for ages. I am amazed by it all, and yet hate flying

Would anyone on here know are there any good books that explain the whole workings of getting tons of weight into the air, and to allow people to travel at 500mph + in relative comfort.

Thanks

Paul

diverdriver

'Flying the Big Jets' by Stanley Stewart http://www.amazon.com/Flying-Big-Jets-Stanley-Stewart/dp/1853102903/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Look for the 4th edition as it was updated to include things like glass cockpits and covers a Boeing 777 instead of the 747 in the earlier editions. Easons might have it and other bigger bookstores in Dublin anyway.

It does go into a fairly detailed but easy explanation and is a good summary of what's involved. Even as a pilot I found it useful. Don't confuse it with 'Handling the Big Jets' which is another book entirely and even as a pilot.:D I found it hard work at times.

zig

next time your driving stick your hand out of the car like a wing, then bend this wing upwards so more of your hand is catching the air, and you'll see the force of the air on your palm starts pushing your whole arm up (because theres no force to push it back down again).

Now imagine a big massive wing and at really high speeds, once the flaps move like your hand did, it will lift the whole plane up.

Heres a nice easy read to give you the jist of it
http://science.howstuffworks.com/airplane.htm

mirwillbeback

thanks guys, really appreciate it.

would love to be a pilot, but putting " have a fear of flying " in the about you section of the CV might not lead to interview.

thanks again

Tenger

diverdriver wrote: »

'Flying the Big Jets' by Stanley Stewart

Look for the 4th edition as it was updated to include things like glass cockpits and covers a Boeing 777 instead of the 747 in the earlier editions.

Seconded

As soon as I read the first post I thounght the exact same thing. Great book, very easily understood and quite interesting too.

Kevster

I have the perfect book for you my friend: How Airliners Fly, by Julien Evans. It covers everything about airplanes and flying in general, and does'nt go into too much detail. I've read it over and over again. I picked up my copy in Easons on O'Connell street in Dublin.

Kevin

Ref: http://www.amazon.com/How-Airliners-Fly-Julien-Evans/dp/1840373601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243948409&sr=1-1

zig

mirwillbeback wrote: »

would love to be a pilot, but putting " have a fear of flying " in the about you section of the CV might not lead to interview.

while I dont fully understand what its like to have a proper fear of flying, Im sure if you get a few lessons to get you going that fear will soon fade away.

Kevster

I had a huge fear of flying, so much so that I backed out of a flight to NYC a few years ago at the last moment. However, through the reading of the book that I've mentioned, my fear has lessened. Why? - Because I now understand the physics of how an airplane actually generates 'lift', and I know now that the weird sound after take-off is just the wheels being drawn-into the fuselage!

b28

The airplane works on the basic aerodynamic principles.
airplanes are either made from aluminium 2024 or reinforced plastic like the 777.
this makes it lighter
to achieve lift you must outweigh the forces, drag and weight with thrust and lift.
the airplane itself is designed to fly by the shape of its wings etc known as an airfoil.

its like putting your hand out the car window at high speed and you notice at a certain angle it feels like its being lifted up! thats known as the angle of incidence i think.. there's other things aswell which i can't remember rolling, yawing....all to do with the airplane slipping or skidding(something to do with the centrifugal force)

all physics

partyatmygaff

I never was afraid of flying, I love it so much that I would love to be on a plane for a 24hour long flight, too bad of course that could never happen. Understanding what goes on helps alot. I played flight simulator 98 as a child and began to understand what was actually going on during takeoff etc.

Think of it as a paper plane, Unless one of the wings fall off or its designed crap it will never fall out of the sky. They are designed with safety in mind.

partyatmygaff

Just to mention, aircraft are designed to withstand above what they are expected to endure, so wings falling off in mid-air or other major catastrophic structural failures are a near impossibility.

Not to say it can't happen though, but extremely unlikely, same likeliness as your car breaking in half while going 200km/h.

pclancy

mirwillbeback wrote: »

thanks guys, really appreciate it.

would love to be a pilot, but putting " have a fear of flying " in the about you section of the CV might not lead to interview.

thanks again

Go for a flying lesson at your local aeroclub! The fear of flying will vanish.

You'll learn tons of practical stuff about how an airplane flys and handles, technical stuff about its engine and systems, how to read the weather, navigation etc. I guarantee if you have an hour trial lesson and get to fly a plane yourself you'll quell your fear of flying. Its just like a car in the sense that you feel nervous when someone else is driving but then are relaxed and in control when you're in the driver (or captains) seat I warn you though once you go for one lesson you'll be addicted for life to a very expensive hobby or career An incredible one though.


My soul is in the sky. ~William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Steyr

mirwillbeback wrote: »

I am amazed by it all, and yet hate flying

Id hate to see you in a Figther.:p:)

Kevster

I was over and back from liverpool today and the flights were grand. I used to love it all too, but then hated it, just like you OP. I've done so much flying recently though that I 'just do it' and don't have time to think about my fear.

pclancy

You've far more chance of dying on the way to or from the airport in your car But yeah I know, its a fear thats very difficult overcome and very common, i'm my own worst enemy when it comes to scaring myself because of the amount of plane crash stuff i've read.

shanel23

Bramble wrote: »

Seconded

As soon as I read the first post I thounght the exact same thing. Great book, very easily understood and quite interesting too.

Just picked up a copy on ebay for £6 - so looking forward to reading it