Comments on: How Does An Airplane Really Work?

By: JP

JP — Wed, 29 Sep 2004 15:35:17 +0000

Take your pick, whichever works for you.

By: John

John — Wed, 29 Sep 2004 15:34:52 +0000

Is that “big-a$$” or “a$$-engine”?

By: JP

JP — Wed, 29 Sep 2004 15:17:46 +0000

Oh, and don't forget, F-4 Phantoms fly because they have a big a$$ engine behind them, thus proving the addage Tim alluded to above: "Anything can fly with a big enough engine". You haven't lived until you've seen/heard F-4s practicing touch and go landings where your apartment is on the take-off side of things. Full afterburners is, well, rather quite loud. Not too mention the walls and windows shaking. Extremely cool though.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 29 Sep 2004 05:48:45 +0000

Actually, if you apply enough force to an object it will fly. Thats why rocks fly if you throw them or tin cans or heck cars when launched via trebuchet (mmmmm trebuchet)…

But the key point about flying is that yes big planes can fly with short wings, but gliding on the other hand is something they cannot do. And as for an adult answer – the deflection of air molecules is an adult answer. The child answer is “because”. Sheesh – you really got to hang out with parents more…