| type="text/javascript"> | | | | But why do a plane's big, flat wings lift it off the |
| One thing that you really need to understand before | | | | ground? The answer is all to do with how the air |
| you can build a toy plane that actually flies is what it is | | | | travels over and under the wings. A plane's wings are |
| that makes planes fly in the first place. Luckily, with a | | | | flatter on the bottom and more rounded on the top, |
| little explanation, the basic scientific principles of plane | | | | which means that air takes longer to travel over the |
| flight aren't too difficult to understand. | | | | wings than under them. The higher air speed under the |
| The key to flight, understandably, is the wings. Instead | | | | wings means that there is always more space for air |
| of flapping their wings like birds do, however, planes | | | | to travel under than over — effectively, the air is |
| propel themselves forwards using an engine in much | | | | being forced to go under the wings. When the plane is |
| the same way a car does, and then rely on the shape | | | | moving fast, enough air is being forced under the |
| of their wings to slowly lift them off the ground. | | | | wings that the plane takes off. |