Definition
Aeronautics is the study of the science of flight. Aeronautics is the method of
designing an airplane or other flying machine. There are four basic areas that
aeronautical engineers must understand in order to be able to design planes. To
design a plane, engineers must understand all of these elements.
Design Process
1 Aerodynamics is the study of how air flows around the airplane. By studying the
way air flows around the plane the engineers can define the shape of the plane. The
wings, the tail, and the main body or fuselage of the plane all affect the way the
air will move around the plane.
2. Propulsion is the study of how to design an engine that will provide the thrust
that is needed for a plane to take off and fly through the air. The engine provides
the power for the airplane. The study of propulsion is what leads the the engineers
determine the right kind of engine and the right amount of power that a plane will
need
3. Materials and Structures is the study of what materials are to be used on the
plane and in the engine and how those materials make the plane strong enough to fly
effectively. The choice of materials that are used to make the fuselage wings, tail
and engine will affect the strength and stability of the plane. Many airplane
materials are now made out of composites, materials that are stronger than most
metals and are lightweight.
4. Stability and Control is the study of how to control the speed, direction,
altitude and other conditions that affect how a plane flies. The engineers? design
the controls that are needed in order to fly and instruments are provided for the
pilot in the cockpit of the plane. The pilot uses these instruments to control the
stability of the plane during flight.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Flight level
A Flight Level (FL) is a standard nominal altitude of an aircraft, in hundreds of
feet. This altitude is calculated from the |international standard pressure datum of
1013.25 hPa (29.92 inHg), the average sea-level pressure, and therefore is not
necessarily the same as the aircraft's true altitude either above mean sea level or
above ground level.
feet. This altitude is calculated from the |international standard pressure datum of
1013.25 hPa (29.92 inHg), the average sea-level pressure, and therefore is not
necessarily the same as the aircraft's true altitude either above mean sea level or
above ground level.
Monday, 23 November 2009
Black box
Black box is a technical term for a device, system or object when it is viewed in terms of its input, output and transfer characteristics without any knowledge required of its internal workings. Almost anything might occasionally be referred to as a black box: a transistor, an algorithm, humans, the Internet.
The opposite of a black box is a system where the inner components or logic are available for inspection (such as a free software/open source program), which is sometimes known as a white box, a glass box, or a clear box.
The opposite of a black box is a system where the inner components or logic are available for inspection (such as a free software/open source program), which is sometimes known as a white box, a glass box, or a clear box.
Morse code
Morse code is a type of character encoding that transmits telegraphic information using rhythm. Morse code uses a standardized sequence of short and long elements to represent the letters, numerals, punctuation and special characters of a given message.
The short and long elements can be formed by sounds, marks, or pulses, in on off keying and are commonly known as "dots" and "dashes" or "dits" and "dahs". The speed of Morse code is measured in words per minute (WPM) or characters per minute.
Originally created for Samuel F. B. Morse's electric telegraph in the early 1840s, Morse code was also extensively used for early radio communication beginning in the 1890s.
In the early part of the twentieth century, the majority of high-speed international communication was conducted in Morse code, using telegraph lines, undersea cables, and radio circuits.
However, the variable length of the Morse characters made it hard to adapt to automated circuits, so for most electronic communication it has been replaced by machine readable formats, such as Baudot code and ASCII.
The most popular current use of Morse code is by amateur radio operators, although it is no longer a requirement for amateur licensing in many countries. In the professional field, pilots and air traffic controllers are usually familiar with Morse code and require a basic understanding.
Navigational aids in the field of aviation, such as VORs and NDBs, constantly transmit their identity in Morse code. Morse code is designed to be read by humans without a decoding device, making it useful for sending automated digital data in voice channels.
For emergency signals, Morse code can be sent by way of improvised sources that can be easily "keyed" on and off, making Morse code one of the most versatile methods of telecommunication in existence.
The short and long elements can be formed by sounds, marks, or pulses, in on off keying and are commonly known as "dots" and "dashes" or "dits" and "dahs". The speed of Morse code is measured in words per minute (WPM) or characters per minute.
Originally created for Samuel F. B. Morse's electric telegraph in the early 1840s, Morse code was also extensively used for early radio communication beginning in the 1890s.
In the early part of the twentieth century, the majority of high-speed international communication was conducted in Morse code, using telegraph lines, undersea cables, and radio circuits.
However, the variable length of the Morse characters made it hard to adapt to automated circuits, so for most electronic communication it has been replaced by machine readable formats, such as Baudot code and ASCII.
The most popular current use of Morse code is by amateur radio operators, although it is no longer a requirement for amateur licensing in many countries. In the professional field, pilots and air traffic controllers are usually familiar with Morse code and require a basic understanding.
Navigational aids in the field of aviation, such as VORs and NDBs, constantly transmit their identity in Morse code. Morse code is designed to be read by humans without a decoding device, making it useful for sending automated digital data in voice channels.
For emergency signals, Morse code can be sent by way of improvised sources that can be easily "keyed" on and off, making Morse code one of the most versatile methods of telecommunication in existence.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Making Them Fly
The "secrets" to making paper airplanes fly well are largely the same adjustments which make hand launched gliders fly well.
Most people have the unfortunate idea that a good paper airplane needs no adjustments after the basic folds are finished. All real airplanes have trim tabs to make small adjustments to the plane, and all paper airplanes need small adjustments to fly their best.
There are a few basic adjustments and principles which will transform the paper airplane novice into a paper airplane expert.
The following flying tips are generally covered in my books, but I go into a little more detail here.
Most people have the unfortunate idea that a good paper airplane needs no adjustments after the basic folds are finished. All real airplanes have trim tabs to make small adjustments to the plane, and all paper airplanes need small adjustments to fly their best.
There are a few basic adjustments and principles which will transform the paper airplane novice into a paper airplane expert.
The following flying tips are generally covered in my books, but I go into a little more detail here.
ATA chapter numbers
The ATA Chapter numbers provide a common referencing standard for all commercial aircraft documentation. This commonality permits greater ease of learning and understanding for pilots and engineers alike.
The standard numbering system is controlled and published by the Air Transport Association.
The unique aspect of the chapter numbers is its relevance for all aircraft. Thus a chapter reference number for a Boeing 747 will be the same for a BAe 125.
Examples of this include Oxygen (Chapter 35), Electrical Power (Chapter 24) and Doors (Chapter 52).
The standard numbering system is controlled and published by the Air Transport Association.
The unique aspect of the chapter numbers is its relevance for all aircraft. Thus a chapter reference number for a Boeing 747 will be the same for a BAe 125.
Examples of this include Oxygen (Chapter 35), Electrical Power (Chapter 24) and Doors (Chapter 52).
ATA Chapter Listing
ATA Chapter Listing
Revised 08-Feb-2001
5
Time Limits / Maintenance Checks
6
Dimensions & Areas
7
Lifting & Shoring
8
Leveling & Weighing
9
Towing & Taxing
10
Parking & Mooring
11
Required Placards
12
Servicing
20
Standard Practices Airframe
21
Air Conditioning
22
Auto Flight
23
Communications
24
Electrical Power
25
Equipment & Furnishings
26
Fire Protection
27
Flight Controls
28
Fuel
29
Hydraulic Power
30
Ice & Rain Protection
31
Indicating & Recording Systems
32
Landing Gear
33
Lights
34
Navigation
35
Oxygen
36
Pneumatic
37
Vacuum
38
Water Waste
39
Electronic Panel & Multi Purpose Computer
41
Water Ballast
45
Central Maintenance System
49
Auxiliary Power Unit
51
Structures
52
Doors
53
Fuselage
54
Nacelles / Pylons
55
Stabilizers
56
Windows
57
Wings
60
Standard Practices Propeller / Rotor
61
Propellers / Propulsors
62
Rotor (s)
63
Rotor Drive (s)
64
Tail Rotor
65
Tail Rotor drive
66
Folding Blades / Pylon
67
Rotors Flight Control
70
Standard Practices - Engine
71
Power Plant
72
Engine
73
Engine & Fuel Control
74
Engine Ignition
75
Engine Air
76
Engine Controls
77
Engine Indicating
78
Exhaust
79
Oil
80
Starting
81
Turbines
82
Water Injection
83
Accessory Gear Boxes
84
Propulsion Augmentation
91
Charts
98
Recurring SB & AD Notes
99
One Time SB & AD Notes
Revised 08-Feb-2001
5
Time Limits / Maintenance Checks
6
Dimensions & Areas
7
Lifting & Shoring
8
Leveling & Weighing
9
Towing & Taxing
10
Parking & Mooring
11
Required Placards
12
Servicing
20
Standard Practices Airframe
21
Air Conditioning
22
Auto Flight
23
Communications
24
Electrical Power
25
Equipment & Furnishings
26
Fire Protection
27
Flight Controls
28
Fuel
29
Hydraulic Power
30
Ice & Rain Protection
31
Indicating & Recording Systems
32
Landing Gear
33
Lights
34
Navigation
35
Oxygen
36
Pneumatic
37
Vacuum
38
Water Waste
39
Electronic Panel & Multi Purpose Computer
41
Water Ballast
45
Central Maintenance System
49
Auxiliary Power Unit
51
Structures
52
Doors
53
Fuselage
54
Nacelles / Pylons
55
Stabilizers
56
Windows
57
Wings
60
Standard Practices Propeller / Rotor
61
Propellers / Propulsors
62
Rotor (s)
63
Rotor Drive (s)
64
Tail Rotor
65
Tail Rotor drive
66
Folding Blades / Pylon
67
Rotors Flight Control
70
Standard Practices - Engine
71
Power Plant
72
Engine
73
Engine & Fuel Control
74
Engine Ignition
75
Engine Air
76
Engine Controls
77
Engine Indicating
78
Exhaust
79
Oil
80
Starting
81
Turbines
82
Water Injection
83
Accessory Gear Boxes
84
Propulsion Augmentation
91
Charts
98
Recurring SB & AD Notes
99
One Time SB & AD Notes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)