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Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
Why Invent That?
Answers

Answers will vary. This is a tool to help the student think of ideas for their essay. Some suggested answers are shown below:

Force on Airplane
Advantages
Disadvantages
Lift
  • weight of aircraft is less (don't have to generate as much lift)
  • fly slower
  • there is less power to create lift
  • cannot have very large wings to create lift because the weight must be kept low
Weight
  • there is no engine weight
  • there is no fuel weight
  
Thrust
 
  • less power from human than engine
Drag
  • can have smaller aircraft with no need for an engine
  • the body is small and compact
  
Other advantages and disadvantages
  • there is not as much maintenance required because there are less working parts
  • requires less money to build
  • can be transported easily because of small size
  • this aircraft can carry only one person
  • have to power the aircraft by human effort
  • limited amount of flying time due to human factor

The answers to the essay questions will vary because it is an opinion question. It was put in the lesson as a chance for students to practice their writing skills. The main topics to be addressed are:

  • how the advantages compare to the disadvantages
  • the reason to create an aircraft that did not need to burn fuel for an economic and/or environmental reason
  • the idea that people are always looking for a better way to do things
Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov