Wings | Tail | The Engines | Landing Gear | Flight Controls | Helicopters | Vertical Take-off | Specialised Craft | Aerodynamics in Nature
O t h e r U n u s u a l C r a f t
G l i d e r s
Gliders are heavier-than-air craft with no engines that stays in the air because of the aerodynamic forces acting upon it. Germany improved the glider, as they were not allowed to build any powered aircraft after the war.
They are very light which reduces the force of gravity on it and their wings are much longer and narrower than those of powered aeroplanes. This is to make as much use of the lift as possible. The long wings also enable it to glide, the longer the wings, the longer the glide. The glider relies on current to fly. These currents or thermals are formed by heat rising from the ground. The glider is either launched by a catapult or towed behind a powered aeroplane.
P o n t o o n e d C r a f t - S e a p l a n e s
Some craft, especially simple, light aircraft, are fitted with "pontoons" (a type of buoyancy tank that replaces the landing gear). They become most useful in situations were there is no suitable landing area on the ground and only a water landing is available. Many wilderness / mountain search and rescue operations are usually only accessible by air and the only available landing strip is on water (in a lake, river). Because they can go by air and by water seaplanes have become one of the most useful utility craft ever designed.
U l t r a l i g h t s
Ultralights are used mainly as recreation craft for the adventurous. They are perfect for the personal aircraft as they weigh only 115 kg (250 lb) and can carry up to 20 litres of fuel. They have only one seat and one small engine. Their wings are made similarly to those of a hang glider.
C o n c o r d e s
Concordes are high speed passenger jets that can reach speeds up to twice the speed of sound (Mach 2). Their wing design is unusual and is known as a "delta-wing". The concorde was developed by Britain and France in 1976 and is currently in use in these two countries by British Airways and Air France respectively. Another unusual feature is the nose which is pointed downwards during take-off but straightens during flight.
(Above) The concorde is the fastest passenger liner in the world. With its "delta-wing" and 4 Rolls-Royce engines, it is also one of the most expensive. Notice the angled nose when grounded and the straightend during flight.
Powered by huge Rolls-Royce engines, the concorde is very noisy and questions have arose concerning its effect on the environment. Some people believe that its sonic booms harm the environment. Recently an Air France concorde crashed a few seconds after take-off killing all its passengers and four bystanders. An investigation has been begun into the causes of the crash but it seems an unfortunate series on events lead to the only concorde aircrash since its introduction 24 years ago.
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If God had really intended men to fly, He'd make it easier to get to the airport.
George
Winters