http://www.rsphysics.org Learn about physics, new articles publshed daily Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:56:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Some ten years before his time the state of knowledge with regard to flying in Europe was demonstrated by an order granted by the King of Portugal to Friar Lourenzo de Guzman, who claimed to have invented a flying machine capable of actual flight. The order stated that In ... http://www.rsphysics.org/some-ten-years-before-his-time-the-state-of-knowledge/ EFFECT OF INCREASING PROPELLER PULL.--If the present pull could be doubled what a wonderful revolution would take place in aerial navigation, and if it were possible to get only a quarter of the effective pull of an engine, the results would be so stupendous that the present method of flying ... http://www.rsphysics.org/effect-of-increasing-propeller-pull/ The wing surface, proportioned to its body and weight, is no less a matter for wonder and consideration. In Fig. 55 is shown the outlines of the fly with outstretched wings. Fig. 56 represents it with the wing folded, and Fig. 57 is a view of a wing with the ... http://www.rsphysics.org/the-wing-surface/ The boy is naturally inquisitive, and he is interested in knowing WHY certain things are necessary, and the reasons for making structures in particular ways. That is the void into which these pages are placed. The author knows from practical experience, while experimenting with and building aeroplanes, how eagerly every ... http://www.rsphysics.org/the-boy-is-naturally-inquisitive/ And the Engine was so mounted that when the Propeller- Thrust was horizontal, which is its most efficient position, the Angle of Incidence and the Area of the surfaces were just sufficient to give a Lift a little in excess of the Weight. And the Camber was such that, as ... http://www.rsphysics.org/and-the-engine-was-so-mounted-that-when-the-propeller/ This discovery made no little stir in the scientific world of that day. Hundreds came to see it, and as photography had not then come into the world, many drawings were made and casts taken, and finally the whole thing was removed to the rooms of the Historical Society. ... http://www.rsphysics.org/this-discovery-made-no-little-stir-in-the-scientific-world-of-that-day/ If it is necessary to bore holes in the spars for the purpose of receiving, for instance, socket bolts, then their places should be marked before being bored and their positions confirmed by whoever is in charge of the workshop. All is now ready for the sail-maker to cover the ... http://www.rsphysics.org/if-it-is-necessary-to-bore-holes-in-the-spars/ For men who may have had some experience in the assembly of airplanes at factories, or of rigging them at flying-fields, there is great opportunity. Expert riggers who know their craft are few and hard to get. They are invaluable for maintaining a machine in flying condition. The use of ... http://www.rsphysics.org/for-men-who-may-have-had-some-experience-in-the/ In the early days of aeroplaning, when accidents came thick and fast, the most usual explanation which came from the pilot, when he recovered, was: "I pushed the lever too far." Hundreds of trial machines were built, when man learned that he could fly, and in every instance, it is ... http://www.rsphysics.org/in-the-early-days-of-aeroplaning/ It has never been tried with power, and it is doubtful whether it would be successful as a sustaining surface for flying machines, for the same reasons that caused failure with the box-like formation of the Voison Machine. THE DELTOID.--The deltoid is the simplest, and the most easily constructed of ... http://www.rsphysics.org/it-has-never-been-tried-with-power/