It is really amazing to see the tyres of the aircaft which are really quite small compared to the huge size of the aircraft going round and round and when the speed reaches around 180-200 kilometresper hour (thats pretty fast ) losing contact with the ground and after a few minutes getting retracted inside the wing of the aircraft. Probably to reduce the air resistance as once taken off there is no need for wheels in the sky .
Landing is equally or more amazing in that a few minutes before landing there is a sound and thats when the landing gear (wheels plus the hydraulic system attached to it ) comes out of the wing again . Suddenly there is a cloud of dust when the wheels which are non spinning in the air touches the ground . In a few seconds the entire weight of the aircraft (around 23000 kgs for boeing lesser for smaller aircraft ) gets applied to these small wheels but majority of the impact is absorbed by the landing gear attached . Thats not the end of it . These puny tyres have to withstand the tremendous forces of deceleration from 200 +kmph to 0 kmph Pretty impressive ( this is where words fall short of the actual experience ) .
I think anyone with the slightest interest in technology or even otherwise should fly at least once in a lifetime (101 things to do ... my earlier blog ) .
And now coming to the airhostess ... (sorry thats a forbidden topic :) i forgot )
Jet,set go!
ReplyDeleteKurukente kannu kozhikuttil thanne!
:) jayadev i didnt know the airplane was a kozhikkoodu .
ReplyDeleteNicely written Doc… Ever since you mentioned about the topic, the curiosity was there to know what you have actually written about it. So finally I managed to find it today.
ReplyDeleteThe evolution of the aviation industry has revolutionize human lives. We have use the best science and expertise available to span huge distance. To leap across time zones, cultures, continents and oceans. For Lindbergh it was a place in the history books but for today’s pilots its just another day’s work. Nothing much except we move between two worlds in less time than a normal work day. While all this is happing uneventfully each day, most us fail to appreciate the complex engineering which has made it all possible. I’m simple glad , you have taken a little time in your little thoughts to truly appreciate a vital component of a complex piece of machinery.
BTW Modern jets uses thrust reverser's along with disc breaking to decelerate up to 80 - 60 knots under normal operations for Landings. This helps prevent premature brake wear off. The thrust reverser's provide very effective retardation of the aircraft at high speeds.
Whenever the aircraft lands and the reverse thrust is applied i think about you who explained me that an year back. Watch this blogspace cos i will soon mention about the Mach 1 .. g forces etc :) i am hooked on aircrafts too :)
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