Introduction to

Aerodynamics
A brief look on how things fly.
“According to all known laws of aviation, there is
no way that a bee should be able to fly. Its wings
are too small to get its fat little body off the
ground. The bee, of course, flies anyways.
Because bees don't care what humans think is
impossible.” –The Bee Movie.
Who am I?
• Reece Griffiths.
• Licensed Pilot for 5 years.
• Student at Fairmont state Center of
Aviation Excellence.
Points to Cover
• What is aerodynamics?
• What is air? How does it pertain to flight?
• Sir Isaac Newton’s 3rd law of motion.
• Principles of flight.
• Different parts of an airplane.
What is
Aerodynamics?
• Aero- meaning air.
• Dynamic- meaning motion.
• How air moves around things.
 • Acts like a fluid.
• Viscosity—Uh, what does this mean? Air is
Air thick.
• Friction- again, what does this mean? Air is
sticky.
Sir Issacs Newton
Third Law of Motion
• Third law.
• When an object is pushed in one
direction there is always resistance
of the same size in the other
direction.
Principles of Flight
Weight
• Is the force that is directed toward
the center of the earth.
• Depends on mass of aircraft, fuel,
and payload.
• Gravity plays a big part in weight.
Lift
• Opposite of weight.
• Is generated by the motion of the
airplane moving through the air.
• Thunder and lighting.
Drag
• Opposite of thrust.
• More thrust you have, the more
drag you'll have.
• (Remember Newton’s third law
of motion).
Thrust

• Created by either Jet or Piston engines.

• To over come drag, there needs to be
more thrust then drag.
Parts of an
Airplane
Conclusion