Once when I was flying, I happened to glance over a magazine, which had aircraft photographs. There were many of them and all were different in some or the other way. Some were big while others were small. The designs were also different. I suddenly realized the efforts that go into making something so big and beautiful. As I was going through the photographs my mind went back to the time when the first airplane was introduced.
As time changed technology evolved and so did manpower which made us believe that nothing is impossible. Airplanes are marvelous creation of human beings. With the introduction of aircrafts we realized that our world is a small place. We reach countries within days and cross oceans and seas in no less time.
If you look at a plane what are the things you'll notice? Since it's a huge object, of course you won't miss the body. Some of the other important parts are the wings, flaps, rudder, jet engine, fuselage and the cockpit. Wings help to push the plane itself through the air and this is how it remains in the air. Some have fuel tankers in the wings, whereas some of them have it in the body of the aircraft.
The body of the aircraft is also known, as Fuselage, which is a technical term. Flaps are situated on the wings. They fold down during takes off or landing and help increase the amount of force. It helps to drag the place through the air.
Rudder is at the rear end of the plane. It's a vertical blade, which moves when the direction changes. Jet engines are situated beneath the wings. They force the plane to push through the air. This is also an important part as it holds all the other parts together. Cockpit is the pilot's cabin which lies at the front and behind this are the passenger seats and cargo.
Well, to say about aircrafts there are many of them, let me explain some, which we have today. We have the fixed-wing aircraft, which is nothing but a technical name for airplanes.
Seaplanes and Floatplanes are another type, the name itself indicate that they can also run in water. Seaplanes sit directly on the water when at rest, which is possible because of its body shape. Floatplanes cannot sit directly on water as they have floats attached to the body. This way they stay clear of water at all times.
Helicopters are also called as Rotorcrafts or rotary-wing aircraft. They have powered rotors and blades with the help of which it lifts itself up.
Fighter planes are also special. They are military aircrafts designed to attack other aircrafts. They are small and very fast and have developed over the years. F-22 Raptor and the X-35 JSF are new generation fighter planes.
Next time, when you're traveling in a plane make sure you not only focus on the interiors but also look at the beautiful parts... the technical aspect of this giant. And one day when you see a plane taking off you'll realize flying is so simple. |
