Principles of Flight: Aerodynamics and the Four unknown forces

"The greatest challenge to conquering the air is mastering the invisible force of lift." - Amelia Earhart

Indeed the four forces of flight are lift, weight, thrust and drag, but I believe you should start with the four unknown forces. These forces act more on the human than they do on the aircraft. Flight is composed of man, machine and mission, and as a result, it is only right to give attention to man first.?

In the previous publications, we had a subtle introduction to careers in aviation, the history of the luck factor and what hard work has to do in bringing dreams to life. This will expound on? what needs to be known about these forces that cause more than they should and limit aviators from living a fulfilled life. That said, let's dive into the rudiments of what a career in aviation entails.

DREAMS:

The human imagination has long been enamored by the desire to fly and be in control of the skies. From the mythical tale of Icarus to Ancient Chinese Kites, the documented advances of Leonardo Da Vinci, and the Wright brothers' historic first powered flight, the dream of aviation has inspired countless innovators and adventurers throughout history.?

This inbuilt human desire to defy gravity and take flight just like the birds is a major driving force for the development of flight technologies. The never ending pursuit of attaining seemingly impossible heights, pushing the limit of what was previously thought unattainable has constantly been fueled by the dreams of visionaries.?

REALITY:

Nothing brings reality to life more than the physical laws of the universe, such as aerodynamics, gravity, and material restrictions. These impose very significant constraints on aircraft designs and its operations.?

Engineers and manufacturers must confront the harsh realities of the physical world and devise innovative approaches to address the challenges that arise from these natural forces. Understanding and utilizing flight principles while remaining realistic is a critical factor in aviation success.

RULES:

As the dream of flight becomes a reality, it necessitates the need to establish a comprehensive set of rules, regulations, and safety measures to govern the skies. Global regulatory bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) globally have developed intricate systems to ensure aircraft safety and orderly operation.

These rules govern everything from pilot licenses and aircraft certification to airspace management and air traffic control. Adherence to these set rules is a key, yet invisible force that allows the aviation sector to function safely and effectively.

MONEY:

Money is the fuel that powers the engine of progress. The enormous financial resources required to develop, build, and operate aircraft, as well as the supporting infrastructure, comprises a powerful unseen force in the world of aviation. The aviation industry is capital intensive, with billions of dollars invested in aircraft development and continuous operational costs of fuel, maintenance, and people.

Securing the necessary finance, whether through private investment, government subsidies, or passenger prices, is a constant challenge that can make or break an aviation operation. Hence, effective financial management of flights is a critical component of success in this dynamic industry.

The interplay and delicate balance between these four invisible forces - Dreams, Reality, Rules, and Money - has? defined the growth of aviation from its earliest days to the advanced, global industry we know of today. For anybody aspiring to take flight, remain airborne and leave their mark in the world of flight, understanding and navigating these strong forces is very vital.

The next set of newsletters will Introduce the four known forces which are Lift, Weight, Drag And Thrust, Basic Physics, The atmosphere,? Aerodynamics and Aerofoils. A deeper dive into? Newton’s Laws? - first, second and third. Mathematical Terms - Velocity, Acceleration, Equilibrium, Gravitational Forces, Centripetal Force, Vector Quantities. Moments and Couples. Energy - Pressure Energy, Dynamic (Kinetic) Energy. Units of Measurement. Atmospheric Pressure- Air Temperature and Combined Effects. Moisture Content - The Standard Atmosphere (ISA). Pressure Altitude and? Density Altitude.

This will give the reader the basics of principles of flight from which you can lift off into higher heights of understanding of what matters and make flight possible for your chosen aircraft.

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