START WITH FLIGHT

1 FLIGHT

Important Terms - Speaking the Language of Flight

You will find throughout all of the cadet aerospace education volumes.

Think of these as a new "language." To fully understand the science and technology of

terms

aerospace, you must learn a new vocabulary. Then, when you are around airplanes, mechanics and

pilots, or when you're on an orientation flight, you will be able to "speak language." That is a

very rewarding part of the learning process

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Important Terms - Learning The Language Of Airplanes

aero

-

pertaining to air

aerodynamics

-

relating to the forces of air in motion

aeronautics

-

the science of flight within the atmosphere

aerospace

-

a combination of and

se

AGL

-

above ground level

air

-

a mixture of gases that contain approximately 79% nitrogen, 19% oxygen and 2% other

gases

aircraft

-

any machine that is capable of flying through the air. Ultralights, airplanes, gliders,

balloons, helicopters are all included

airplane

-

an aircraft that is kept aloft by the aerodynamic forces upon its wings and is thrust

forward by a propeller, or other means of propulsion, such as a jet or rocket

airfoil

-

component, such as a wing, that is specifically designed to produce lift, thrust or

directional stability

airport

-

a place on either land or water where aircraft can land and take off for flight

altitude

-

height expressed in units above sea level, or ground level

aviation

-

the art, science and technology of flight within the atmosphere

aviator

-a person who operates an aircraft during flight

camber

-the curved part of an airfoil that goes from the leading to the trailing edge

chord

-

a line drawn through an airfoil from its leading to its trailing edge

drag

-

a force which retards the forward movement of an aircraft in flight

dynamic

-

forces in motion

leading edge

-the front part of an airfoil

lift

-

the upward force, which opposes gravity, that supports the weight of an aircraft

relative wind

- the flow of air which moves opposite the flight path of an airplane

static

-

standing still, or without motion

supersonic

- faster than the speed of sound. Subsonic is below the speed of sound

thrust

- the force which moves an aircraft forward in flight

trailing edge

- the back part of an airfoil

wind

- air in motion