A series of articles from the You Tube Famous Kev Burn...

Article 1.

The thing this day and age is that in order to get anywhere, we need to either drive, go by boat or to go further overseas, we need to fly.  For those who are afraid of flying, this fear can start as early as the day that you walk into the travel agent and look at that nice shiny brochure for some exotic land far far away.  The thoughts of being able to see yourself racing down the piste or laid out on a beach is just the ideal way of winding down after months and months of work.  But, the boat takes a while to get there and only gets as far as the port. We don’t have a way of driving over water, which leads us to the only method left and that is to fly.

You know it’s the only way to get there, it may be a short flight away, it may be a long one but which ever way you know two things.

1 – you are scared to fly
2 – you want the holiday and flying is the only way.

Making a decision to book the holiday / trip seems that its an easy thing to do.  The agent checks availability, says yes, agree to the time and date, deposit / balance paid and that’s it.   All you have to do is get to the airport, jump on the plane, arrive and relax.

But, we know its not going to be like that don’t we?  The idea of flying to you is not something that you want to admit you are scared to do.  Thinking that far in advance, you can feel your chest tighten, hands go clammy, heart races.  Every time you read a paper, you seem jinxed, something crashes or had an emergency landing at some airport somewhere.   You look to see if it’s the same airline, same aircraft, same airport.  Words are used such as Technical hitch, failure and finally, that dreaded word – Black Box.

Cancel the trip, safer to stay at home.  On the day you would have gone, there is no news, everything went well and you would have been there right now had you gone.  Another year goes by and that brochure looks so appealing or does that trip to see the relatives in some far flung place, even that business trip calls and we need to look at flight, the reasons for your fear and what we can do about it.

Lets rewind back a few paragraphs – all the way to the fact that in order to get to a destination as quickly as possible, the fastest way to do this is to fly.

We recently celebrated over a hundred years of flight.   However, we have been learning about flight for a lot longer than that.   Birds have been masters of riding the air and its currents for millions of years and the more we watched them, the more we learnt.   We tried and failed many times to get airborne and we can find references to flight as far back as Leonardo Da Vinci.  If you want to research further than that, we can find the Chinese were using the wind for kites and became masters of this.  So, one way or the other, we have been using the wind for our own use for a long, long time.

From the humble beginnings of kites, to the Wright brothers who were both engineers and pioneers and they managed to transport a man over a distance.  Engineering advancements moved so fast that we developed the combustion engine and as the first world war.  Aircraft moved on and we had biplanes flying around the skies and our passion for flight moved on.  By the second world war, the jet engine was being developed by Frank Whittle and the technology moved on apace.  Jets entered the end of the war and were being used by both sides to great effect.

After the war, airports took over from where military bases had once stood.  New aircraft came into service that worked alongside the propeller driven ones and the Comet was born and flown all over the world together with the introduction of the 707. 

1969 saw Concorde fly and break the sound barrier and begin the first of many transatlantic trips as well as other countries and the world became a smaller place once again.  Alongside the 707, hundreds of passengers could be moved in comfort from one country to another.  Short haul aircraft were developed for the trips that were not so far and then came along the mighty jumbo jet (747).

This day and age, we have new and exciting jets, Airbus aircraft, Boeing to name the big two, but what ever they are and your trip may involve, its time to think about flying and getting to your destination.  Flying is the safest form of transport and this has been proved time and time again.

The holiday / trip is booked and you are aware of the pending flight.   So, lets think about why you are nervous?

One of the prime reasons is that you have to give control of an aircraft to someone else and with that, you relinquish any possibility that you have of being able to move this mass of metal.  Its like being in a coach isn’t it.  You walk to the coach, board this and pay your fare and in doing so, you give control to the driver.  You cant grab the wheel if anything should happen and you know this, he / she has control and you cant do anything.

This fear is a totally and understandable rational one.  We all feel it.
Its nothing to be ashamed of, worried about and you are not alone.

Yes, both lines are totally true.   There is nothing to be ashamed of and all of us in some way feel it.
You, me, my neighbours, everyone.   Sub consciously, you put all your trust in the driver and you ask him to take you safely to your destination and get you there quickly.   There is no difference between this and flying.  Even those who enjoy flying get onto a bus, coach, train and we have to put our trust in the driver.  We have to believe that this person is a highly trained individual who has put in hundreds if not thousands of hours to get to a level that they can move us around safely, efficiently and competently.  Yet, without questioning this, we get onto the method of transport in the hope that we will arrive, sit down, read, listen to an MP3 player, work and watch the world go by.  So why cant we apply this to flying?  Why not?

Parts of an aircraft.  The horizontal stabilizer is also known as the tailplane and the vertical one called the fin. 

Lets have a look at why and how aircraft fly.   To best understand this, lets look at a basic drawing of an airplane.

This illustration shows a small four engined aircraft (BAE146), however, it applies to every single type.  From a glider to a modern day jet.  There are four forces involved in flight, lift, thrust, drag and gravity. 

Lift – if you look at a wing, they tend to have a flat bottom and a curved top.  The shape of this means that when air is forced over and under it, they are forced upwards and lift is generated. 

Gravity – We all need gravity.  Without it, life would be very interesting.  In this case – the weight of an aircraft is what we need to overcome.  Therefore, if you think about it, we need to generate enough lift to over come the weight of the aircraft for it to fly.  But, next comes Drag.

Drag – the one thing all pilots hate.  It’s the same thing that formula one car drivers don’t want.  Drag slows us down and can take the form of anything sticking out of a vehicle / aircraft / boat.  Imagine you are driving along and it’s a nice hot sunny day.  You pop up the sunroof.  This spoils the air that is being forced over and around the car and disrupts it.  It creates drag.  When you see a car that is being highly waxed and polished, the owner wants the air to flow over it smoothly.  It goes better, uses less fuel and is more efficient.  So, all aspects of an aircraft are made to give minimum resistance (drag) and fly better.

Thrust – this is the same thing that makes something get propelled forward.  To make a car move, we have an engine, the same with an airplane.  Thanks to Mr Frank Whittle (see previous photo) who created the jet engine, we have a method of propulsion that drives us forward.  These engines (propeller based or jet engines) are located either under the wing, at the very front of the nose (light aircraft) or at the back of the fuselage and all push the aircraft forward.

So that’s it.  Now, how can we show this in simple terms.  Lets think of a hot day and you are a passenger in a car and the window is down.  If you put your hand flat out into the airflow, this is going forward as the car engine is providing the speed (thrust).  Unfortunately, your wrist can slow you down (provides the drag), your hand is also heavy (gravity).  Now lift your hand up and into the wind about 30 degrees upwards.  Here you can feel the air pushing your hand upwards and thus air flows over it quicker (lift). So we can mimic all the forces involved in flying.

  So now we know what keeps an airplane flying, lets have a look at how we control it in the sky.

There are many parts to a flight that we can break down later to help you understand these, however, lets take a look at the flying controls.

This illustration is of a light aircraft, however, once again, they are all the same for all types, from the biggest of jets to the smallest of flying machines including models.

Aileron.(on the wings)  – These large parts of the wing are there to help the airplane turn in the sky.  In order to turn, the ailerons have to move up or down.   By moving the aileron upwards, this would in turn mean that the air being pushed over it by the thrust and the wing is forced down.  At the same time, the wing is being forced down, the opposite has to be forced upwards. This is done by moving the aileron down and generating more lift under this.  Therefore, the airplane turns.

Rudder (on the fin) – This is used also in the turn to keep it co-ordinated and smooth.  Without the rudder, the aircraft would not turn smoothly, creating a lot of drag and not be efficient.  The rudder is also used on the ground to turn the airplane from the taxiway to the runway and back again when it lands.  There is also nose wheel steering which means that the wheels are not going in a straight line all the time when on the ground.

Elevator (on the tailplane) – This is the part that makes the airplane go up and down.  By moving the elevator upwards, this alters the airflow over this flying surface and allows the airplane to raise its nose.  By moving it downwards, the nose is lowered and the aircraft starts to descend.

Another method that a pilot can use to descend is to reduce the amount of thrust the engine produces.  The aircraft is still flying perfectly well, but the noise changes.  Its nothing to worry about and something we will cover a little later during the flight – however, rest assured, its something we will be ready for and when it comes, over come it.

Fuselage – ahh where would we be without this part of an aircraft.  Well, basically, no where at all.  In the early days of flight, the fuselage was purely an area that was made to separate the wing from the tailplane.  These used to be wood and in the Wright brothers days, there was very little distance between the two.  However, it was found that if we started moving these further and further apart, we could make the wings longer in length and make the aircraft more and more stable.  Below is a model aircraft that is used in free flight competitions called F1A. It shows how we can lengthen the wing, therefore, make a longer fuselage and keep the aircraft stable. 

This is an example of a high tech model and is the current way that these are flown.  However, many years ago, these were not the norm and we made the fuselages taller and wider.  By making these this way, we could then sit in the fuselage and in turn, so could passengers.  By being able to get into these, customers then became passengers and were able to be transported from place to place.  Aircraft got larger and larger and the engines became more and more efficient.  Below is the Lockheed Constellation and shows a great looking passenger aircraft that could move passengers for hundreds of miles in comfort.

Aircraft have become larger and larger and the 747 came into service in the late 60’s.   This became the largest passenger aircraft and held this record for in excess of 40 years.   The new Airbus A380 now holds this title and besides being the largest, its incredibly luxurious.  We will look at the inside a little later but enclosed below is a photo of this incredible piece of engineering on take off.

Finally, in order for an airplane to fly, it needs a way to beat that awful drag we mentioned before.  In order to beat that we need thrust.  Thrust is created by an engine – either propeller or jet.  Some aircraft have one engine, some two, some even three (these are not so common now) and then we move onto four.     The engine sucks air in at the front with a fan. A compressor raises the pressure of the air. The compressor is made up of fans with many blades and attached to a shaft. The blades compress the air. The compressed air is then sprayed with fuel and an electric spark lights the mixture. The burning gases expand and blast out through the nozzle, at the back of the engine. As the jets of gas shoot backward, the engine and the aircraft are thrust forward.

The propeller is a device for producing motion that has blades mounted on a power-driven shaft. A propeller changes an engine's power into forward thrust. The best-known types of propellers are those that drive airplanes and ships. 

So, if we take all factors into consideration, we have an airplane that you can sit in and relax, that can, by overcoming all the forces including gravity, will lift you up and away on holiday or business. Now we know how it flies, what happens once it gets nearer the day to go on that trip.

Article 2.

It’s all noises – what are they???  Do they mean anything – are we in danger?

Over the course of a flight, you are going to experience lots of new noises, things will make you wonder what is happening, how will it affect you and this starts the moment you board the aircraft.  Once you have come that massive hurdle which is just really a door like any other one you have been through, you have to find your seat.  The flight attendant will direct you to this and the first thing is to get sat down.  That’s right.  Plonk yourself down and get comfy.  Then stand up again, as you realize you sat on the seat belt.  Smile inwardly as we have all done it and sit down again.  First noise – they normally have some overhead piped music.  I guess its supposed to be calming and up to this moment, you never really noticed it.  Next noise is that clicking sound that is surrounding you and its not the sort from your joints.  Relax, its everyone putting on their seat belts.  Why not join them?  Get it done with – its one less thing to do.

Whats the next noise I can think of – oh yes, that thunk noise that comes from the door being shut.  It’s a door, just closes a bit different from others and that’s a strange thunk.  However, it’s a door and its closed, but if afraid to fly, it’s a massive thing to go through.  We will cover this later in more detail. 

The next noise you will expect to hear is maybe the noise of those engines somewhere behind or in front of you.  Jet  and propeller engines need to start and they need to warm up, you will hear them outside but it will be a dull hum.  It wont be an ear piercing shriek, it will be a gradual increase as they prepare to push and pull you skywards.  So that’s something else to not worry about.

Then comes that “bong” noise that seems to be everywhere.  Don’t worry, it normally means that the captain or flight deck are about to make an announcement.  Or the flight attendants want to give you some safety instructions and these you should always listen to.  I have flown hundreds of times, know most aircraft well enough for seating etc.  But I always watch these people and listen to what they have to say.  They provide a valuable service and are only interested in your safety.  So when that bong sound comes over head, its normally a sign of an announcement or something of interest. This includes the fasten seat belts.

By now, if you are looking out of the window, you will have noticed that we have been pushed back from the gate, the engines are gently pushing us along like a car and things are going well. 
“thump, thump, thump” tend to be the next thing I like to hear.  Its also something you will hear.  No the tyre is no flat nor are any of them under inflated.  The noise is actually the flight deck who are steering the airplane right up the centre lines.  You are going over these small cats eyes like things.  In an airplane you drive this up and down the centre of the lines, not like a car where you drive on one side or the other.  Centre lines are good and that thumping sound is nothing to be worried about. 

So whats next?  Well as you taxy away, engines spooling, thumping over the cats eyes, then that bong sound comes over again and yes, it’s the flight deck telling the flight crew to be ready for take off. 
Depending on the type of aircraft you are flying in, you may hear a whirring deep noise.  Looking outside, on the wing there are parts moving forward and backwards.  These are the flaps and are used in the climb on take off and landing.  They are meant to do this and is covered in other parts of this. However, to remind you, they help provide more lift under the wing at lower speeds and also, mean that they can generate more lift in the climb and in the descent prior to landing.  In the middle of the flight, they are all hidden into the wing structure as the aircraft is generating enough lift without needing them.

Leading edge slats on a KLM 777 having just landed at Amsterdam – March 08 from Toronto.

“Bong”  tends to be the next sound and its those people up front telling the crew to prepare for take off.  In basic terms “sit down, stay sat until the seat belt sigh goes off!”
At the end of the runway or the adjoining taxi way, you will more than likely pause for a while and you hear the engines warming up again.  Giving them a bit more gas I guess you may say and checking all is right.
Then its away.  The initial part of the roll will be smooth and if it’s a good flight crew, those thumping sounds of the centre wheel mean we are right down the centre of the runway. The acceleration then will be very quick indeed and before you know it, you are airborne.  You are flying.  You are into the climb and the engines are on song. 

KLM Fokker 100 – Leeds – Amsterdam Feb 2008,  Right wing around 8000 feet. 

There is a thunk and a whirring sound.  No the wings have not dropped off, nothing has happened.  In order to fly quickly and more efficiently, the aircraft needs to be made into that smooth aerodynamic shape, we need to put the wheels away.  So the whirring noise is that of the gear coming up and a final thump means they are locked away safely and their doors are closed.

So, the climb goes on.  If you feel like a little air, reach up and twist the vent and get some of that cool air on you. Always feels good. 

A short while later, that irritating bong again and the seat belt signs are off.   To amuse myself, I always watch the race for the toilet door here.  As soon as the lights are off, they are like dogs out of the trap and racing. The toilet door cant open fast enough!!

You will hear that same bong again during the flight as the flight deck welcomes you on board and advises you how high you are, going to be, the weather at your destination, the outside air temperature, your route.  Lots of interesting things to sit in your mind.  There is very little else you will hear that we have not looked at during the flight.  The seat belt signs go on and off – I recommend keeping my belt on all times.  That way its some thing I don’t have to think about.

A short while before you land, you will feel things and notice changes as you become so in tune with the airplane, its great.   The engine noise will change marginally as they don’t need to go so fast and you slowly begin the descent.  Those whirrings out over the wing are nothing – we covered that – just extra lift being created as you fly slower.  Seat belt signs on, relax as you have nearly made it to your destination.
Gradually, you seem to float over the end of the runway and then a gentle thump as the crew bring the aircraft down to the runway.  The engine noise will increase briefly as the engines are put into reverse and are used to slow the aircraft down.  Nothing else and theres that thump thump thump of the centre lines being ridden over again.
Shortly the aircraft will come to a stop at the gate and in turn, the door will open and it will be all over.
Wasn’t that bad was it?
Well done.