A difficult question from a kid

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05-23-2009, 04:38 PM

PearlPilot

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A difficult question from a kid

This is the question I will get when I meet a technically minded 9 year old kid tomorrow. I have absolutely no idea how to explain to this young gentleman how a "propeller make an airplane go." There is no way I am pulling out the Bernoulli's principle or try to explain downwash etc. Any help please??? I promised the mom that I will be prepared.

05-23-2009, 04:43 PM

poor pilot

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just like a boat

05-23-2009, 05:04 PM

mjarosz

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Just give him the analogy of putting your hand out the window of a moving car. You angle your hand up, it rises. A prop is the same idea, except instead of moving up, it moves forward. This will give him a simple explanation of whats going on plus something he can (and probably has) seen himself.

05-23-2009, 05:10 PM

PearlPilot

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Thanks, yes that helps a lot. This kid is very smart for a 9 year old, he would probably end up making me look like an idiot. I have to bribe him with candy and tell him to stop asking me questions

But seriously though he has an interesting curiosity and has done many science projects. How would you explain how a prop moves an airplane forward in a very understandable way?

05-23-2009, 07:10 PM

Planespotta

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Quote:

Originally Posted by PearlPilot

How would you explain how a prop moves an airplane forward in a very understandable way?

Tell him it's like a normal household fan, but much more powerful. It pushes enough air backwards to make a plane go forwards. Make it stop, and the pilot will break out in a sweat

05-23-2009, 07:37 PM

PearlPilot

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Planespotta

Tell him it's like a normal household fan, but much more powerful. It pushes enough air backwards to make a plane go forwards. Make it stop, and the pilot will break out in a sweat

Thanks I will let you guys know how I do, wish me luck

05-24-2009, 01:57 AM

esa17

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As the prop turns it takes a bite out of the air which pulls the plane forward. Enough forward motion and the wings make the plane go up.

05-24-2009, 08:07 AM

KC135guy

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I know this is a video of how a jet engine works, but it has similar principles as a propeller. Each fan blade is like a propeller blade and the CFM is like a big shrouded propeller engine. I used this same video when I taught tech school students arriving at Fairchild AFB about the F-108 (CFM-56).

YouTube - How a CFM56 Turbine Jet Engine works.

05-24-2009, 11:11 AM

atpwannabe

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Take a piece of rope, about 2-3 feet long, with a huge knot on one end. Grab the other end of the rope and have him twirl it as fast as he can. This should give him first hand experience and an elementary idea of just how a propellor works!

Have fun!!!

atp