How does an Airplane Fly?

A WebQuest on Flight designed for fourth graders

Created by Lynn Mondani

Spring 2005

Introduction:

Have you ever wondered how birds and airplanes fly?  As humans, we canÕt fly with our bodies; However, with the invention of airplanes we can fly all over the world!  This WebQuest will explain how airplanes fly.  Did you know that there are four forces of flight?  They are lift, thrust, weight, and drag. 

 

The Challenge:

Wilbur and Orville Wright were the first people to create a powered flight.  Pretend you are one of the Wright brothers and the date is now December of 1903. Everyone wants to hear your story!  How did you create this flying machine?  You will be using the internet links below to gather information.  Then, write an article for your local newspaper in Indiana.  Everyone in town is most interested in your story!  Please include some biographical information, as well as a brief explanation of how planes fly.  This assignment should be completed in your WriterÕs Notebook.
   

The Task:

(*Hint*- It will be helpful to first write down some notes while looking at the online resources.  For example, make one list of information about the Wright brothers and a second list of notes on how planes fly.  Then it will be easier for you to write an accurate and creative journal entry.)

Use these online resources to gather information about the Wright brothers:

http://www.fi.edu/flights/first/intro.html

http://www.first-to-fly.com

http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/wright.htm

          

Use these online resources to discover how airplanes are able to fly:

-ÒFlights of InspirationÓ

Learn how the 4 forces of flight work.  Click on the key words (lift, drag, weight, thrust) for a complete explanation.

http://www.fi.edu/flights/own2/forces.html

-The Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum

This museumÕs website has a great deal of information.  I would recommend looking at the diagrams, as they will help you to better understand how airplane parts designed for flight.

http://www.aeromuseum.org/Education/Lessons/HowPlaneFly/HowPlaneFly.html

-Aeronautics- Principles of Flight- provided by NASA

http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/princl.htm

Orville and Wilbur Wright

To learn even more about flight, use the following key words with this search engine (Google).

http://www.google.com

Key words: flight, Òhow airplanes fly,Ó ÒWright brothersÓ

Lastly, just for fun, this site has lots of great paper airplane tips!

http://www.exploratorium.edu/exploring/paper/airplanes.html

Good luck!  Please email questions and concerns to Lynn.Mondani@uvm.edu