Curiosity Corner: How do aeroplanes stay in the sky?

Ever find yourself sitting in an aeroplane and marvelling at how something so heavy can just float high above the ground? For kids and adults alike, aeroplanes can seem downright magical. Not only do they consist of heavy metal, but they’re also filled with tons of passengers, yet they still fly smoothly through the air effortlessly. The reality of the matter is, aeroplanes do not fly because of magic; rather, it is the result of aeroplane design and science combining intelligently. In a simplified and interesting way, we can dissect the reasons why aeroplanes are able to fly so effortlessly through the air.

The wings of an aeroplane are designed in such a way as to assist the aeroplane in flying. The wings of an aeroplane are curved on top and flat on the bottom. This design makes them an airfoil. The faster an aeroplane moves, the faster air passes over and under these wings. The air passing over the top goes faster than that passing under. This causes lower pressure below than above, which in turn causes the wings to lift.

Lift is the force that holds an aircraft up in the air. Faster air moves over the top surface of an aircraft wing; thus, there is a lower-pressure area on top of an aircraft wing compared to the bottom area, where there is a higher force pushing upwards. As long as this force is bigger than gravity pulling it down to earth, an aircraft is able to fly.

Aeroplanes require speed to generate lift. This explains why aeroplanes move so quickly before they take off. The faster an aeroplane moves, the more air passes over the wings. More air moving over the wings enhances the resultant lift, causing aeroplanes to take off and move into the air. Aeroplanes require speed to be able to generate adequate lift through their wings.

The engines in the plane give it the thrust, which propels it forward. The thrust does not give the plane the lifting effect, but it helps it reach the speed needed for lifting. The jet engines involve sucking in air, compressing it, then pushing it back, which propels the plane. The propeller engines involve pushing the air backwards.

Gravity always pulls the aeroplane down towards the earth. The pilots and aeroplane designers have to ensure that the lifting force created by the aeroplane wings is greater than the force of gravity. If everything is in balance, then the aeroplane can move upwards, fly steadily, or come down steadily.

Planes work in the air to fly, and the thickness of air, which is called air density, acts as a factor that affects lift. The air at low heights is thick and therefore easier to lift during takeoff flights. As you ascend higher, air becomes thinner, and therefore planes require higher speeds to remain in the air; hence high-altitude aeroplanes are carefully designed that way.

During takeoff and landing, airline pilots employ extensions of their plane’s wings, called "flaps and slats." The flaps are extensions of the wing to increase lift at lower speeds. The flaps enable aeroplanes to land without reaching high velocities.

Planes are created to keep the aircraft in a stable position. The tail also maintains the flight in the correct direction. It is used for pitch, yaw, and roll, which are movements of an aircraft. This makes an aircraft stable in windy weather as well.

Air, though appearing to be weightless and invisible, is strong enough to hold huge aeroplanes when they are moving at sufficient speed. The pressure exerted by the movement of air around the wings of the plane is sufficient to sustain thousands of kilograms. This invisible support makes planes fly.

Planes can sustain flight because of the involvement of physics and design. Every aspect of a plane is linked to fighting the force of gravity in order to sustain flight. "It appears to be magic, but in reality, the phenomenon is the result of science," and this helps prove the capabilities of humans through proper knowledge.