To take off, a plane moves down the runway at high speed. This requires thrust. The air rushes around the wing creating lift. The air creates an increase in pressure under the wing and decrease in pressure over the wing.

The angle of attack is the angle between the wing and the incoming air. To get more lift, a pilot must pull back on the control wheel which will pitch the nose up. When lift becomes greater than its weight or the force of gravity, the plane will take off.

The plane moves through the air at a speed called "airspeed." The plane passes objects on the ground at a speed called the "ground speed." If the air were still, the speeds would be the same. If, however, the air is moving with some "wind speed," the ground speed and air speed will be different.

If you are in the plane flying into the wind, you are flying with a headwind. If you are flying in the direction of the wind, you are flying with a tailwind.

FORWARD

Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov