Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
Pertaining to air
Aero
Relating to the forces of air in motion
Aerodynamics
The science of flight within the atmosphere
Aeronautics
A combination of aeronautics and space
Aerospace
A mixture of gases that combine approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases
Air
Any machine that is capable of flying through the air; included are ultralights, airplanes, gliders, balloons, helicopters, hangliders, and parasails
Aircraft
An aircraft that is kept aloft by the aerodynamic forces upon its wings and is thrust forward by a means of propulsion
Airplane
A component, such as a wing, that is specifically designed to produce lift, thrust, or directional stability
Airfoil
A place on either land or water where aircraft can land and take off for flight
Airport
Height above sea level or ground level expressed in units
Altitude
The art, science, and technology of flight within the atmosphere
Aviation
A person who operates an aircraft in flight
Aviator
The curved part of an airfoil from its leading to trailing edge
Camber
A line drawn through an airfoil from its leading to trailing edge
Chord
The downward movement of air behind a wing in flight
Downwash
A force which slows the forward movement of an aircraft in flight
Drag
Forces in motion
Dynamic
The natural force pulling everything to Earth
Gravity
The front part of a wing or airfoil
Leading Edge
The upward force that opposes gravity and supports the weight of an aircraft
Lift
The flow which moves opposite the flight path of an airplane
Relative Wind
The force which moves an aircraft forward in flight
Thrust
The upward movement of air ahead of the wing in flight
Upwash
A spinning column of air that is created behind the wingtip as a result of air moving from an area of high pressure on the bottom to an area of low pressure on top
Vortex
Air in motion
Wind
Fluid motion between regions of unequal heating
Convection
Mass in a given volume
Density
A mathematical relationship between the distance an aircraft will glide forward to the altitude loss
Glide Ratio
The average rate at which temperature decreases with an increase in altitude
Lapse rate
The art of staying aloft by exploiting the energy of the atmosphere
Soaring
The atmosphere’s resistance to vertical motion
Stability
The height or distance above a reference plane
Altitude
A column of air that moves upwards
Thermal
Usually a single-engined airplane that will pull a glider from the ground to an altitude where it can be released
Tow plane
A waving action with strong up and down motion started as air moves across mountain ranges
Wave
instrument to provide the height of the balloon above sea level
Altimeter
An aircraft that uses lighter-than-air gas for its lift, with no built-in means of horizontal control
Balloon
The heat source for filling the envelope with hot air
Burner
To rise or float on the surface of water or within the atmosphere
Buoyancy
The top of the hot air balloon’s envelope
Crown
The main body of the balloon, usually made of nylon, that is filled with lighter-than-air gas
Envelope
A wicker basket, hanging below the envelope, used to transport passengers and propane tanks
Gondola
One of several vertical panels that make up the envelope
Gore
The name of the two French brothers who created the first successful, manned, hot air balloon in 1783
Montgolfier
located in the top of the balloon’s envelope that allows it to be deflated
Parachute panel
A lightweight, low carbon fuel used in hot air balloon burners
Propane
an instrument which measures the temperature within the envelope
Thermistor
an instrument to determine the rate of climb or descent; sometimes referred to as vertical velocity indicator
Variometer
