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The Secret of Flight

The Secret of Flight

1959•29m•Documentary
Similars

A lecture series about the basic problems of flight, explained by visual presentation of flow experiments. As the material of the lectures should be understood by every interested listener, no mathematical or other theoretical knowledge is used for explanation. Every problem is demonstrated by a true-life experiment and purely scientific language is avoided. Each of the lectures deals with a basic problem of flight. The experiments are mostly shown as flow picture but at certain points scale models and flying models are used to ensure easier understanding.

Sam Becker · Director

StatusEnded
Runtime29m
LanguageEN
First Air DateJan 1, 1959

Episodes

E129m

Preview

Dr. Alexander Lippisch introduces his series and the basic laws of fluid motion by means of new methods of visualizing the flow phenomenon. He also introduces the Smoke Tunnel (a type of wind tunnel) which is so designed as to make it possible to observe the entire flow field and to see clearly the action of the aircraft components. He shows how the first man-made flying vehicle, the kite, is a primitive application of the dynamic lift of the flat plate.

Jan 1, 1959

E229m

The Laws of Fluid Motion

Dr. Lippisch points out the main problems of flight: lift and drag, control and stability, and propulsion. He explains the correlation between flow velocity, the local pressure, and the distance between streamlines. A picture of a light plane in flight is projected into the wind tunnel so that viewers may have a side view of such a plane and the streamlines around it. He explains velocity distribution and demonstrates how increasing speed diminishes the pressure on a surface and vice versa.

Jan 8, 1959

E329m

The History of Early Flight

Dr. Lippisch's theme is the historical development of the flying machine. He begins his lecture with a short demonstration of Penaud's model. He shows how the invention of the cambered wing led to the first man-carrying aircraft, the glider. The next problem, the problem of control, was not conceived until the Wright Brothers began their pioneering glider experiments in Kitty Hawk, and Dr. Lippisch shows a scale model of their last (1902) glider and its control arrangement is demonstrated. As he shows film clips of the Wright Brothers' airplane, he explains the function of this first power aircraft.

Jan 15, 1959

E429m

The Discovery of Dynamic Lift

The Wright Brothers solved three problems with their first plane: lift, control, and propulsion. The problem of lift was the one which caused the most controversial opinions between scientists and engineers. Dr. Lippisch traces the development of the cambered wing section until a streamlined cambered plate led to the development of the modern wing profile.

Jan 22, 1959

E529m

Stability and Control

Even before the improved lift devices were designed, the stability and control problems had to be solved and further improvements incorporated into the original systems. Dr. Lippisch illustrates how the stability and control system of the Wright brothers' glider differs from the system on the conventional aircraft of today.

Jan 29, 1959

E629m

Propulsion

After the lift, stability and control problems were solved, a propulsive system was needed to make the aircraft fly. The first propulsion device - the propeller - is still in use today. Dr. Lippisch explains the design of the propeller and demonstrates the lifting propeller - the Helicopter Rotor.

Feb 5, 1959

E729m

The Problem of Drag

Discusses and demonstrates the problem of drag created by friction and turbulence. Explains the need for a high ratio of lift to drag' to produce an aircraft with good performance characteristics. Illustrates with diagrams and models in the wind tunnel, also uses high speed photography of air movement over a wing in the wind tunnel.

Feb 12, 1959

E829m

The Induced Drag

Discusses induced drag which is directly connected with the principles of lift and demonstrates the vortex configuration caused by the wing tip. Illustrates with diagrams and models in the wind tunnel.

Feb 19, 1959

E929m

Different Aircraft Systems

The first airplane to fly was what would be called today a Canard Type airplane; it had a horizontal stabilizer in front of the main wing. Today’s Conventional Type plane has the stabilizing surfaces are of the same size. Dr. Lippisch explains all three models. He also describes the Allwing Type plane which is made by combining wing and tail surfaces, sweeping the wing tips backward, and placing the control areas on the wing tips. He discusses the fundamental law of stability and demonstrates this on models in flight and in the Smoke Tunnel.

Feb 26, 1959

E1029m

Lift Theory and High Lift Devices

Explains the principles of lift. Uses the smoke tunnel to demonstrate the methods developed to produce wings with high lift capacity. Discusses stalling and how it is prevented.

Mar 5, 1959

E1129m

The Story of the Vortex

Defines a vortex and explains its structure. Shows several types of vortex including the ring, tip and thermal vortex. Uses the smoke box, water tank, and motion pictures of tornadoes to illustrate how a vortex behaves.

Mar 12, 1959

E1229m

Flight of Nature

"Man seems to have surpassed nature as he can fly faster and higher than the natural flying creatures. But further study of the flying habits of birds and insects is still necessary." Dr. Lippisch presents a discussion on the wing motion of birds and insects and how the texture and shape of the wings differ with the various birds and insects. Not only airborne animals apply the laws of fluid motion; the program also presents the propulsive systems of fish and shows the action of the fishtail-propeller in the Smoke Tunnel.

Mar 19, 1959

E1329m

Modern Problems of Flight

Discusses new aerodynamic problems caused by high speed flight. Explains the different flow regions corresponding to the subsonic, transonic, and supersonic velocities. Demonstrates the generation of shock waves in supersonic flow. Shows filmed sequences of supersonic flow configurations. Points out and demonstrates the basic concept of the newest development in wingless aircraft, the Aerodyne.

Mar 26, 1959

Actors

Alexander Lippisch

Self

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