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.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. F

    Fortran prog - flight traj of projectile

    Hello, I have to write a fortran program to computer the flight traj of a projectile. I am given dt, initial velocity, angle of departure, initial height, and gravity. I am also given the aerodynamic drag factor (A) values. I have been given the equations, but I am confused as to what the...
  2. C

    NASA NASA's X-43A Proves Hypersonic Scramjet Flight

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/03/040329074842.htm Sounds pretty neat, but I'm wondering what NASA is going to do with an oxygen-based scramjet engine. http://www.thedailyfarce.com/science.cfm?story=2004%5C03%5Cscience_x43aflies7timesspeedofsound_03200400054 it says "If we can get...
  3. S

    Modeling Angled Slide Flight with SUVAT Equations

    For my mechanics, I am trying to model the flight of an objected released from an angled slide, which slides (not rolls) down a distance L (constant), launches at a hight h (constant) above ground and travels a distance X, until it hits the ground. The slide's angle A is adjusted. My...
  4. P

    Calculating the Acceleration of a Golf Ball Flight

    I am currently trying to create a computer simulation of the flight of a golf ball and am having difficulties in calculating the acceleration of the ball. The following forces are applied to the ball: http://www.3dreal.co.uk/project/phys.jpg I know how to calculate the forces but am...
  5. I

    Help with Physics of Airplane Flight - Glider Planes, Lift/Drag/Air Resistance

    I need help with the physics of airplane flight with lift, drag, etc. I can find a lot of information about it, but I can't find any formulas...probably because everything I've found neglects air resistance. Can anyone provide links to sites that would help with this? I'm looking for info...
  6. E

    Why is use of the earth's magnetic field not a feasible means of flight?

    The people on this forum where so helpful with my last problems that I'm posting again! Here are the two I'm having trouble with: 1) What must be the charge (sign and magnitude) of a 1 g particle for it to remain stationary when placed in a downward-directed electric field of magnitude 530N/C...
  7. A

    How Did the Wright Brothers Master Engineering with Limited Resources?

    I have been reading into some of the engineering behind the Wright Flyer. It's pretty astounding. These guys were truly amazing. Some particular points that I find interesting. 1)The airfoil design: They designed and tested a model using a crude wind-tunnel. 2)The propellor design: They...
  8. C

    Small-Scale Glider Flight: Physics and Aerodynamics Explained

    hello. the question is: if i have an exact model (and i mean EXACT) of, say, a glider (you know, those whaddamacallits, white things, long, thin wings, those ones), if i have one of those, why will it not fly as well as a proper one? (the model is a lot smaller than the real thing) i was...
  9. C

    Space flight sim with realistic physics

    It's called Orbiter, and you can get a free copy here: http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/~martins/orbit/orbit.html Fly several different spacecraft (both VTOL and HTOL) around the solar system. The learning curve is very steep due to the physics engine; you can't get to the moon just by...
  10. F

    End of Commercial SuperSonic Flight

    Wow, last flight of the Concord was today. Sad sight seeing it. I am not sure but I hope there is some replacement in the works but I am not sure. Did they decommision them because of their age or lack of market?
  11. T

    Solving Physics Questions: Speed, Height & Time of Flight

    Hi Everyone! Like always, thank you for helping me figure out my last physics question! I greatly appreciate the help. Here are my next questions: Q: Determine the speed at which a baseball must move in order for air resistance to be significant? A: mg = ½ * Cd * A * pair * v^2 pair =...
  12. F

    What was the elapsed time of the flight stone?

    Here's the question, A stone is thrown vertically upward with a velocity of 26.0 m/s from the top of a tower having a height of 18.5m. On it's return it misses the tower and finally strikes the ground. What was the elapsed time of the flight stone? I started if off with delta y=...
  13. Y

    The secret of antigravitational flight, as told by ETs (please review)

    The secret of antigravitational flight, as told by ETs In an UFO forum, where I´m the resident skeptic, some one gave me this contactee message, given to him by a ET, that is some kind of Physics unknown to humanity, and that is the secret of antigravitational flight. I know almost...
Back
Top