Airplane questions

Kub0ta · Mar 26, 2005

After my first flight a few months back, ive wanted to learn how to fly but had a question.

What do the pedals on the floor do? Actually, what does the handlebar do anyways? I know nothing kinda but i was just curious.

By the way, Southwest Airlines is the best! Continental sucks!

dholly · Mar 26, 2005

Try http://www.howstuffworks.com/airplane.htm.

hhw · Mar 26, 2005

You can get some interesting info. from a google search on aircraft flight controls. But in a nutshell here is some basic info:

1. Rudder pedals control the rudder; (vertical moving portion of the tail) simple explanation step on the right pedal nose turns right, step on the left nose turns left.

2. The yoke (handlebar) is a bit more complex. It controls the ailerons and elevators. (outboard moving portion of each wing and horizontal moving portion of tail). Most basic explanation; turn or move the yoke to the right and the aircraft tilts/banks right. Turn or move it to the left and the aircraft tilts/banks left. Move it in or forward and the aircraft will tilt/dive in a nose low profile. Move it out or back and the aircraft will climb in a nose high profile.

These are the very basic explanations. One very important point to understand and often the most difficult thing for beginning pilots to "get the knack of" is that; all of these control movements impact other control movements. Meaning do something with one and you have to input a coordinating movement with the others. But that's what makes it fun!

Freds · Mar 26, 2005

Speaking of your typical small aircraft:
The pedals on the floor are for the rudder, which will move the tail of the aircraft, keeping it in a straight line when taking off and travelling straight and cleanly while in flight, as opposed to those old Fords pickups you used to see sidewinding down the road /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. They travelled straight, but didn't look right. When you push on the top of these pedals it controls the brakes to either wheel.
The "handlebars" control the ailerons on the wings, which is how you turn the aircraft in flight and will bank the plane also, so you generally pull back a little to maintain altitude, because they also control the elevator on the tail for going up or down.

At least in my experience with Cessnas.

Gomez · Mar 26, 2005

Based on your post, I'm guessing you are still in school. My suggestion if you want to pursue an interest in flight training is find a local CAP (Civil Air Patrol) squadron. One of their directives is aerospace education. I joined CAP when I was 12 and stayed in until I was 19. I primarily joined because the flying part of they program was interesting. They have a flight orientation program which brings cadets through various aspects on basic flight. The pilots were always very helpful and would basically take off the plane and turn the controls over to us (of course, they landed it too). It was a great way to be exposed to flying.

I never went and got my license, but some of the other cadets did. They said the experience CAP gave them was invaluable.

Gatorboy · Mar 26, 2005

What do the pedals on the floor do? 

Air brakes. But they only seem to work on the ground. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
In addition to controlling the rudder, they also control the nose wheel which is how you steer while taxiing.

slapshot · Mar 27, 2005

What does the propeller do?

Keeps the pilot cool..................................

Watch 'em sweat when it stops!

-dave

rozett · Mar 28, 2005

( Watch 'em sweat when it stops! )

In this situation, pilot sweat is inversely proportional to wing surface area. Greater surface area = less sweat. At some point, the sweat is replaced with a big grin.

just ask a glider pilot...

getut · Mar 28, 2005

Rigid wings, rudders, and pedals, wheels, and floorboards are for weenies. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I am integral part of my aircraft.. hehehe Without my lard-butt there is nothing to keep the lines tight and my wing becomes a fluttering pile of laundry.

Freds · Mar 28, 2005

We had a phrase in my old air sport.

If you feel that taking a ride in a plane is flying, than you must think taking a ride in a boat is swimming.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif