Aeronautics and Advances of Science of Flight
As we hear the word "aviation", of course the first thing that comes to your mind is a field or a profession. But what about "aeronautics"? Why schools use this term rather than aviation? Engineering for engineers and Aeronautics for aviators.
Aeronautics is a more general term because aviation is the practical aspect or art of aeronautics, being the design, development, production, operation and use of aircraft.
In this blog of mine i'm gonna share my basic knowledge about the Aerodynamics and Theory Of Flight (my next article). But first, i want to share a glimpse of history and the evolution of flight in the world.
Aeronautics (air-uh-NAWT-ticks)
Aeronautics is the art and science of flight through the air. Advances in science have brought aeronautics from the hot air balloon flights of more than 200 years ago to today's supersonic (faster than sound) flights of the F-117 Nighthawk. Aeronautics can be classified into two major fields: lighter-than-air craft and heavier-than-air craft.
Lighter-than-air craft
Lighter-than-air craft were the first successful man-carrying flying vehicles. In 1250, Roger Bacon recorded the idea that an object would float in air in much the same way as an object floats in water. The hot air balloon was the first application to this idea, with later use of light gases such as hydrogen.
img source. Henri Gifford's steam-powered airship flew in 1852.
Credit: 2001 National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution (SI Neg. No. 73-05535)
The control of balloon flight is limited to the dropping of ballast for altitude gain and the release of gas for descent. The more practical airship was developed in 1852 by Henri Gifford who added a steam-engine powered propeller to an elongated balloon. Long-distance flights over specifir routes become practical after vertical and horizontal fins were added, along with more powerful engines. These airships became known as dirigibles and zeppelins.
Henri Gifford's balloon before ascension. Tuileries, Paris created: 1878
Heavier-than-air craft
A more successful approach to controlled flight has been the heavier-than-air branch of aeronautics. The earliest of these vehicles were gliders, which were simply pushed off of hilltops into flight. They were dependent upon favorable air currents and winds to stay aloft once airborne.
The Wright Brothers launched the first powered flight in 1903. Great emphasis on the development of this type of aircraft began during World War I
Wright brothers' aircraft, 1903
A hang-type lilienthal glider
img source. Once sustained flight was achieved, it became necessary to master some basic techniques of controlling the airplane. Advances in aircraft design and more powerful engines soon gave pilots better control over their aircraft in flight.
Igor Sikorsky's first practical helicopter, 1939
img source. This unusual aircraft achieves its lift by rapidly rotating airfoil-shaped blades above fuselage. Thus it can be used vertically and can be maneuvered in any direction: forward, sideways, and even backward.
Modern Flight
Early pilots had few controls and instruments. They relied upon their eyes and their sense of balance to tell them their position in the air. They were able to fly only in fair weather, and often made forced landings when bad weather occurred. As the speed and distance of aircraft flights increase, the path of flight must be more precisely guided.
Many technical developments have been added to the aircraft's cockpit. For example, extremely sensitive flight instruments, auto-pilots, powerful radios and navigation aids make flight at night or through bad weather, or over oceans and deserts possible and safe.
A vast and complicated world-wide or traffic control system and other services, assist the pilot in planning and carrying on his flight.
Pilots are licensed in accordance with their skills of operating aircraft, and their knowledge of related aeronautical subjects. Light small airplanes are easily flown, but modern high-performance aircraft require extensive training.
Aeronautical science is constantly being advanced as the need for new types of aircraft is required. High altitude and supersonic flights have required new materials and techniques of building aircraft. Electronic devices are being increasingly important to aid the pilot in the safe and accurate control and guidance of his vehicle.
Behind me is a Qantas Airways' Airbus A380, a four-engine jet airliner that can carry up to 853 passengers (A380-800) and it also has a freighter model (A380F) that would carry up to 150 tonnes of cargo.
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cool oliver. nice one. interesting topic. i like th air bus pic. :)
Thanks for reading my posts @chinito! soon i will be using your workout program, just a little weights first haha :-)
thats awesome. yeah, just go by what u feel is right for u. you could always ask me any questions or to tell me about all your gains after.. :)
Thank you for this informational post! I like how technology advanced from lighter-than-air to heavier-than-air , probably with the realization that there are more things to focus on rather than mass alone :)
🤗
Thank you, @olivercuico. Indeed, sometimes the best way is not the most obvious one ;)
Excellent post man, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the history of aeronautics, and this was especially succinct and clear to follow and understand. I can see you're pretty passionate about this subject, how were you able to get that photo with the A380?
Thanks for reading my post @locikll! I studied Aircraft Maintenance at the Philippine State College of Aeronautics and i worked as an Aircraft Mechanic in Lufthansa Technik Philippines, in Aircraft Overhaul department i was assigned to specialize cabin reconfiguration and Qantas Airbus A380-800 (specifically Qantas wants to rebuild the whole interior and cabin of their aircraft) is one of our customers back then, way back 2010. Now i am jobless because of many circumstances, cryptocurrency being the mainstream.
Thanks to you man, i'll be following your blog too.
PS i saw your profile background. How'd you do that? :-) Very nice!
wao! so thats where all the knowledge comes from....you seem smart...im following you...would loook forward to your future articles
No worries mate :) Awesome that you got to work on a huge project with Lufthansa, and I empathize with you about your current situation (Although I hope Steemit and other things are good to bring in some additional income and costs of goods and rent is significantly cheaper in the Philippians so Steemit can provide a great job of providing).
The background images can be done in Settings (where profile picture is), the image size is 1920x200, but you can use 1920x400 images but note that the Y Pixel Limit is about 180-200 so it will be cropped.
Hohoho i can't hit the right resolution so thank you very much!.
Yeah i hope so that my short-term goals will work. Thanks again
cool post ... i just watched a somewhat dull, yet i found interesting, howard hughes movie; "rules don't apply" / great post
Oh thanks for sharing @clumsysilverdad. i have researched and found it interesting. All i know that's dull and good is Tora! Tora! Tora, Top Gun, and Air Force One.
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This was a great post about the history of Aeronautics. You should write more about this topic, it seems you are quite knowledgable. Would love to read more!
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Wao! that was really informative
if anyone feels like going to a "Solar Eclipse Watch Party"...(Its a free invite).. do read this
https://steemit.com/nature/@cutu/invitation-for-a-solar-eclipse-watch-party
Now you are talking!
What do you think, why a man came to the idea of flight, who advices them in a conpiracy theory manner. It is the alien for sure, but who the greys or the reptilian.
btw i have a post about theory of flight recently which includes Leonardo Da Vinci's proposed human glider. And what i found while searching that pic is this interesting article that connected him to aliens
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/633493/Leonardo-da-Vinci-Mona-Lisa-aliens-St-John-The-Baptist
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