Skip to main content

Aviation

Heavy Lift Challenge Lesson 5 - Atmospherics

diagram

The atmosphere, composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen, is a protective layer of gases around Earth, divided into several layers with unique characteristics. The troposphere is the lowest layer where most weather occurs, while the stratosphere contains the ozone layer and is almost weather-free. Higher layers include the mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Atmospheric pressure, which decreases with altitude, affects aircraft performance, requiring adjustments in takeoff, landing, and climb rates. The International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) provides a reference for temperature and pressure, crucial for aviation operations.

Heavy Lift Challenge Lesson 2 - Scientific Principles of Flight

a man sitting at a table

Explore the core principles that enable flight in this lesson, covering Newton’s Laws of Motion and Bernoulli’s Principle. Newton’s First Law states that an object in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Newton’s Second Law, \( F = MA \), is crucial for calculating thrust. Newton’s Third Law, stating that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, is key to understanding lift. Bernoulli’s Principle explains how increased fluid velocity results in decreased pressure, enabling airfoils to generate lift. Together, these principles form the foundation of flight mechanics.