User:NCAirways

This is an all time pet question in Aviation circles - “How does an Aircraft fly?” The fresher and the experienced will start with a pet response- “Bernoulli, Newton, Magnus effect, Pascal, etc.” All these answers are, alas, text book answers; fit only for the so called mundane Aviation Degrees/Diplomas. But the real answer is something else. First, the obvious answer to this question is another question: "What made you ask this question?" Well, you asked it because there is indeed a thing called aircraft in 2014. Could anybody have dared ask the same question in 1899? Could anybody have given the same reasons then? At that time there could not have been such class room subjects as Theory of Flight, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Structures, Aerofoil, etc. At that time there were neither any so called Aviation Institutions nor Instructors nor degree/diploma courses. Both Bernoulli (-1738 A.D.) and Newton (-1687 A.D.) put forward their observations much earlier than the invention of Aircraft. (-1903 A.D.) Even they did not know of anything called "aircraft". The inventers of the Aircraft attended high school, but did not receive diplomas. Lilienthal was killed in the plunge of his glider. British aeronaut Percy Pilcher died in another hang gliding crash in October 1899. It was events like these that remained itched in the consciousness of the Wright brothers, The Inventers of the Aircraft. Today the aircraft flies. It is impossible to write off the ultimate sacrifices of Lilienthal and Percy Pilcher and many more like them. Full credit is due to the Wright brothers for the motivation, the methodology, and the dedication they showed in fulfilling their "flight fantasy". Yet, their educational qualifications column in their CVs read “school drop-outs”. Today, an aircraft flies only due to their efforts. Furthermore, each and every activity in the sphere of Aviation is firmly linked to that. The flight of an aircraft, is actually a result of Their sacrifices.. Had They not showed that commitment, you might not have been asking this question today – “How does an Aircraft fly?” That irrepressible urge, that indomitable spirit are the main reasons that led to this event: “flying of an aircraft.” This factor actually comes first. Because, this is the fundamental emotion behind that driving force; theories of Bernoulli, Newton or Pascal come later while answering the subject question.