What is Flight: Definition and 363 Discussions

Flight or flying is the process by which an object moves through a space without contacting any planetary surface, either within an atmosphere (i.e. air flight or aviation) or through the vacuum of outer space (i.e. spaceflight). This can be achieved by generating aerodynamic lift associated with gliding or propulsive thrust, aerostatically using buoyancy, or by ballistic movement.
Many things can fly, from animal aviators such as birds, bats and insects, to natural gliders/parachuters such as patagial animals, anemochorous seeds and ballistospores, to human inventions like aircraft (airplanes, helicopters, airships, balloons, etc.) and rockets which may propel spacecraft and spaceplanes.
The engineering aspects of flight are the purview of aerospace engineering which is subdivided into aeronautics, the study of vehicles that travel through the atmosphere, and astronautics, the study of vehicles that travel through space, and ballistics, the study of the flight of projectiles.

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  1. C

    Time of flight with air resistance

    I need to compute the time of flight of a projectile which is subject to air resistance. Here's where I am so far in solving the problem: F_{drag} = -B v^2 a = \frac{\partial v}{\partial t} = \frac{-B v^2}{m} integrate and solve for v... v = \sqrt[3]{\dfrac{1}{3 \dfrac{B}{m} t + C}} I then...
  2. S

    Twin #1 is calling twin #2 in mid flight on instant-stellar phone

    I about halfway to understanding the twin paradox. I just don't get why time can speed up and slow down. So can someone tell me what would happen if twin #1 could call twin#2 on a special phone that would allow them to talk while twin #2 is speeding away from twin #1 at light speed. Why why...
  3. J

    How High Can a Model Rocket Go with a Specific Impulse of 100 Seconds?

    The height that a model rocket launched from Earth can reach can be estemated by assuming that the burn time is short compared to the total flight time, so for most of the flight the rocket is in free-fall. (This estimate neglects the burm time in calculations of both time and displacement. )...
  4. zoki85

    What Are the Best Textbooks for Learning About Supersonic Flight Engineering?

    Hi,new member here. I'm interested in various aspects of supersonic flight,and transitional flight from subsonic to supersonic,plane and jet design engineering problems,and problems dealing with aviation sound interaction with enviroment. What textbooks and readings you can recommend me? I...
  5. F

    Firing a projectile, max height + flight time

    Homework Statement A projectile is fired with an initial speed of 65.2 m/s at an anmgle of 34.4 degrees above the horizontal on a long flat firing range. Determine the max heigh reached by the prkectile, the total time in the air and the total horizontal distance covered and the velocity of...
  6. larkspur

    Family Kicked Off Air Tran Flight For Toddler's Temper Tantrum

    I feel for the parents but I also sympathize with the flight crew. http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jan23/0,4670,FlightTantrum,00.html"
  7. T

    Designing a 13 Second Flight with a Rubber Band

    im to design something, a plane, or any kind of material to let it stay from the time of release up to it falling into the ground for 13 seconds provided that it is powered by a rubber band... i'm having a hard time thinking about it, having it stay in mid-air longer than usual, and just want...
  8. Cyrus

    Fly High! Back to DC in a Brand New 737-800

    I got bored in the airplane and took a video of us taking off from LAX to Regan National. We were in a brand new 737-800, Alaska Airlines. It was a really nice flight. No one sat next to me and I had 3 seats to myself and stretched my legs across all three of them. :rolleyes: Lots of...
  9. F

    What is the relationship between atomic clocks and particle waves?

    Would QM fail in the fast moving satellite or Int. Space Station if I conducted the double slit experiment in the space station, which is traveling allot faster then most jets. This would be like the clocks experiment where both times were different; the one on the plane being allot slower then...
  10. Ivan Seeking

    Why is Jetman flying alongside airplanes and fighter jets?

    Jetman! Individual flight http://www.jet-man.com/actuel_eng.html Watch the video. Incredible! I want I want I want...now! now! now! :-p
  11. C

    Rocket's Max Altitude & Flight Time: Exploring an Error

    Homework Statement A 200kg rocket is loaded with 100kg of fuel and fired straight up. It accelerates at 30m/s^2 for 30sec and then runs out of fuel. Ignore any air resistance effects. a. What is the maximum altitude of the rocket? b. How long is the rocket in te air? c. Draw a position...
  12. Evo

    News The Imams removed from US Air flight - the real story?

    Well, we all read the "abreviated" version of this story. How many read all the facts of what really happened? Quite a different story. Excellent opinion piece from the WSJ. The information seems to be corroborated by the following CNN article with interviews of passengers saying the same...
  13. S

    Can People Fly? Investigating Human Flight Possibilities

    Stupid question: can people fly? Evidently, one doesn't see people flying around the streets, but is it possible? Has anyone done studies on whether this is possible or not? Any articles on this would be highly appreciated. Has anyone actually done this? Furthermore, how does physics apply to...
  14. J

    What Is the Jet Stream Wind Speed Affecting East-West Flight Durations?

    A airplane flight at 2700 miles is schduled to take 50 min longer westward than eastward. THe airspeed is 600 m/hr. What assumptions about the jet-stream wind velocity presumed to be east or west are made in preparing the schedule? (what is the wind speed?) I am going over Halliday and...
  15. M

    Solving Flight & Velocity Problem in Cutnell & Johnson Physics

    This is a problem from Cutnell and Johnson Physics I have set up my formula so that eventually I am solving a quadtratic equation, I am unsure if my calculations are correct, any input would be appreciated. THE QUESTION: An airplane is flying with a velocity of 240 m/s at an angle of...
  16. R

    Pilot Must Maintain Velocity of 353.11km/h for London-Rome Flight

    The displacement from London, Uk, to Rome is 1400km [43 degrees E of S]. A wind is blowing with a velocity of 75km/h [E]. The pilot wants to fly directly from London to Rome in 3.5h. What velocity relative to the air must the pilot maintain? [p = plane, a = air, g = ground] Vpa + Vag = Vpg...
  17. DaveC426913

    Flight 77 Videos: Object in Final Frame Before Explosion?

    This is probably old news, but I've just seen the 2 flight 77 videos. Does anyone have a good idea of what the object is in the last frame before the explosion? http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/" http://pserver.mii.instacontent.net/defense/flight77/fl77-1_11094135.WMV"...
  18. A

    Exploring Paper Plane Physics: Size & Flight Properties

    Hi. I'm a middle school student messing around with some paper airplanes. I am wondering how the size of the paper I use affects the properties of flight like distance and flying time and how well the plane flies. I tried a few sizes of paper and found a good one. What controls this? I know...
  19. P

    Energy differences when climbing a flight of stairs

    Hey If I were to climb a flight of stairs I would gain potential energy because I would be moving further away from the centre of the earth. However would I have more, less or equal amounts of kinetic energy at the top of the flight of stairs, or at the base and why would this be so? If what I...
  20. J

    How much lift is required to fly at level unaccelerated flight

    if an aircraft with a coefficient of lift of 0.05322 is traveling at the velocity of 240 kts at sea level, how much lift is required to fly at level unaccelerated flight if the aircraft weighs 800 lbs? (hint: trick question)
  21. S

    Physics Test Mystery: Paper Flight Through Bernoulli's Theorem

    I got this question on my physics test "What will happen if you blow over a piece of paper?" I answered that with enough blowing, the wind created would make the paper fly off. Apparently according to my teacher, the correct answer was that from Bernouilli's theorem, the air velocity above...
  22. R

    Finding an Algebraic Model for Toy Glider Flight

    The table describes the flight of a toy glider launched from a tower on a hilltop. The values for height indicate the number of metres above or below the top of the hill. I have to find an algebraic model that gives height as a function of time. How do I do that? I have no idea where...
  23. R

    Throwing a Ball: Calculating Velocity & Flight Time

    A boy throws a ball into the air at an angle to the horizontal. The ball reaches a vertical height of 8.0m and travel a horizontal distance of 16m before being at the same vertical position as at the point of release A. what is the magnitude of the vertical velocity component of the ball as it...
  24. R

    Time of Flight & Velocity of Projected Stone

    A stone is prjected with a velocity of 100m/s at an elevation of 30 degrees form a tower 150m high. Find: a. the time of flight ans:12.(4) secs b. the horizontal distance from the tower at which the stone strikes the ground ans: 1.0(8) x 10 3 c. the magnitude and the direction of the...
  25. S

    Can a passenger flight stand mid air before landing

    Hi guys, i see passenger flight standing mid air for some moment(nearly for some 10 to 15 seconds) in sky before landing , can anyone explain how it happens..
  26. z-component

    Microsoft announces newest version of Flight Simulator

    For those of you who have been loyal followers of Microsoft's Flight Simulator series (I have every version since FS98 and am also currently a student pilot), you may or may not have heard the latest news regarding the all-new version coming out in late 2006. Right now it's called "Flight...
  27. D

    Calculating Wind Velocity for Pilot's Flight Route

    a pilot maintains a heading due west with an airspeed of 240 km/h. After flying for 30 mins, he finds himself over a town that he knows is 150 km, W and 40 km, S of his starting point. What is the wind velocity at his altitude? how do i tackle this? i just a push in the right direction thanks
  28. X

    Physics Problem: Flight Attendant and 70N Bag

    ok I am in physics obviously...and I am having an extrmely hard time. can anyone help me with this problem? - a flight attendant ulls her 70 N flight bag a distance of 253 m along a level airport floor at a constant speed. the force she exerts is 40.0N at an angle of 52 degrees above the...
  29. B

    Super Sonic Flight: Frequency Changes in Mach Cone & Shockwave

    If a sound source flying at a speed faster than a sound, it will produce a Mach cone and shockwave, like the figure. But what will happen if the frequency changes continuously during the flight? thanks for help!
  30. P

    In what direction should the pilot travel in this direct flight?

    I'm new to physics and am having a problem with a homework questions An airplane starting from airport A flies 300 km east, then 340 km at 34.0° west of north, and then 150 km north to arrive finally at airport B. A.)The next day, another plane flies directly from A to B in a straight...
  31. H

    Lawnchair Larry: The Incredible Story of Flight!

    What an incredible story! Apparently this really happened. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawnchair_Larry There have been some urban legend-ish mutations of the story though, such as this: http://tlc.ousd.k12.ca.us/~acody/larry.html Without a doubt my favorite part of the story...
  32. F

    A380 Makes History With First Flight

    http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050427/ap_on_re_eu/a380_first_flight_18 Congrats to the A380 folks. Step one of many down. BTW...20 tons of instrumentation. They are not screwing around with measuring things.
  33. U

    Calculating Time of Flight for Ball Thrown at 45° with Initial Speed 31 m/s

    A ball is thrown with an initial speed of 31 m/s at an angle of 45°.The ball is thrown from a height of 10 m and lands on the ground. (a) Find the time of flight. http://img153.echo.cx/img153/5338/showme2mp.gif I used the following formula: Yf = Yo + VoT - (1/2)GT^2 0 = 0 + (31...
  34. O

    Physics Behind Cushions and Flight Time Direction

    Tell me why... I have two simple physics questions that i can't figure out myself. 1. How does cushion make a seat feel more comfortable? 2. If a plane flies over a considerable distance, will there be a noticable flight time duration difference if it flies over the same distance from west to...
  35. N

    Experimenting with a Solid-Fueled Rocket: Flight Analysis

    Q. In an experiment in physics class, a model solid-fueled rocket is fired vertically with an acceleration of 3 m/sec2 for 5 seconds. After that time, it's fuel is exhausted and it continues upwards as a free fall particle. (Take upwards to be the positive direction.) a) What is the maximum...
  36. D

    Time of flight of an accelerated electron in a television tube

    I was given this problem for homework. Assume you have a television tube that is about 0.3 m from cathode to screen, and electrons are accelerated uniformly through 20 kV – the electric field is constant. How long does it take for the electrons to travel from the cathode to the screen...
  37. R

    Model Rocket: Max Height & Flight Duration

    A model rocket is launched straight upward with an initial speed of 45.6 m/s. It accelerates with a constant upward acceleration of 1.5 m/s^2 until its engines stop at an altitude of 180.5 m. What is the maximum height reached by the rocket? Answer in units of m. How long after lift-off does...
  38. M

    Trouble Solving a Plane Flight Path Problem

    I'm having trouble with this one problem: A plane flies from base camp to lake A, 280 km away, in a direction of 20.0 degrees north of east. After dropping off supplies it flies to lake B, which is 190 km at 30.0 degrees west of north from lake A. Graphically determine the distance and...
  39. J

    Work Done By Friction on flight bag

    I have no clue how to do this problem :mad: : A flight attendant pulls her 75.2 N flight bag a distance of 268 m along a level airport floor at a constant velocity. The force she exerts is 33.0 N at an angle of 69.9 degrees above the horizontal. Find the work done by the force of friction on...
  40. P

    Sonic Boom & Condensation Trails: Explained

    Could someone try to explain to me the reason for the sonic boom that occurs during sonic flight and also the condensed water(?) coner(?) that appears behind the plane. I've tried looking it up but I couldn't find any good explanations...
  41. F

    Solving for Time of Flight of Stunt Vehicle

    A stunt vehical leaves and incline with a speed of 35 m/s at a height of 52-m above level ground. Air reistance is negligible. Find the vehicals time of flight? Well i found the x and y components of the vehicals velocity. And i know to use d = Vit + 1/2at² giving me: -52 = 16.4t +...
  42. F

    How would I solve for an objects time in flight which is going off a

    How would I solve for an objects time in flight which is going off a ramp at 28 degrees at 35 m/s and is 52 meters from the ground? I solved for the vertical and horizontal velocity's but I am not sure how to solve for the entire time. I tried using d=Vit + 1/2at^2 but then i had to solve...
  43. Ivan Seeking

    Capt Kirk's Virgin flight [A Hot Pepper too]

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55041-2004Oct22.html
  44. F

    Q26: Electron Gun Physics - Kinetic Energy, Force, Acceleration & Time of Flight

    Q26. In the neck of the picture tube of a certain black-and-white television set, an electron gun contains two charged metallic plates 2.80 cm apart. An electric force accelerates each electron in the beam from rest to 9.60% of the speed of light over this distance. (a) Determine the kinetic...
  45. F

    What is the projectiles time of flight?

    Havin a bit of trouble on this one, just because of the lack of information. A projectile is launched over level ground at 35 m/s at an angle of 40 degrees above the horizontal. What is the projectiles time of flight? Someone mind helpin me out? :smile:
  46. Ivan Seeking

    Inflatable spaceship set for test flight

    http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040830/full/040830-8.html
  47. K

    Good Flight Simulator for PC | $100-$1000

    This isn't really an Engineering question more rather an an aero question. What is a good Flight Simulator other than the real thing, (commercially, ranging between $100- $1,000). Anyone have ideas (for PC)
  48. E

    Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics

    What is the difference between Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics?
  49. M

    Private Rocket Plane Makes Historic Space Flight

    I thought I would of seen something here about this by now. :-p http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=570&ncid=570&e=1&u=/nm/20040621/sc_nm/space_flight_dc_17
  50. F

    What is the relative velocity of flight?

    Hi there, i am a cambridge student studying in the first year of O levels. Though relative velocity isn't in my syllabus, ihave inerest in gaining knowledge about it. I studied the topic, but was unable to do some of the exercise questions. One question which i foind difficult is as...
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