• Question: How do planes get off the ground?

    Asked by 328kvna44 to Caoimhe, Colin, David, Katie, Lisa on 10 Nov 2014. This question was also asked by 466kvna44.
    • Photo: David Taylor

      David Taylor answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      Actually nobody really knows…seriously!
      We know that if you make the wing a certain shape – an aerofoil shape – then when air blows over the wing it creates a force pushing the wing upwards. So then all you need is a motor to make the plane move forwards and it will take off.
      The problem is that nobody really knows why this particular wing shape works. Scientists keep telling us that they know the answer, and then finding that they are wrong. Fortunately engineers can get around this problem by making models and testing them in windtunnels to see if they work or not.

    • Photo: Katie Mahon

      Katie Mahon answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      Magic!
      No not really… a plane needs “Thrust” and “Lift” to get off the ground. The thrust comes from the motor of the plane, this speeds it up as it moves down the runway. The lift comes from the airplanes wing. The shape of the wing & the angle it’s pointed at (forward and tilted slightly upwards) sort of cuts through the air, so the air flows over the top of the wing in a particular way which is different to how it flows under the wing. At the right angle & the right speed, this creates a force known as Lift.

      The next time you are sitting in a car moving at speed, try holding your hand just outside the window and hold your hand flat (fingers together pointing towards the front of the car). Now, keeping your fingers & hand in line, tilt up your hand upwards at the front and notice how quickly the air tries to push your hand up vertical. This is a very basic idea of the concept of airplane wings – the greater the angle of your hand, the more it will be pushed upwards, just like the airplane wing. Just make sure there’s nothing on the other side of the road while you’ve your hand out the window….. 🙂

      Here’s a short youtube video which explains in more detail:

    • Photo: Colin Keogh

      Colin Keogh answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      My first answer was going to be magic too, but Katie got there first. Her explanation of how planes fly is perfect.

    • Photo: Caoimhe O'Neill

      Caoimhe O'Neill answered on 21 Nov 2014:

      Science! Good answer @Katie!

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