Chapter 21

Air Transportation Systems

Objectives

• After reading the chapter and reviewing the materials presented the students will be able to understand:

• Aviation services.• Keeping airways safe.• Lighter than air and heavier than air craft.

History of Air Transportation

• Aircraft is a vehicle that transports through the air.• Gliders are aircraft with stable wings but no power

source.• Helicopters are aircraft with rotating wings.• Aerodynamics is the study of the motion of air and how

it reacts to objects passing through it.• In 1903, the Wright brothers flew the Flyer, the first

successful airplane.• By the 1920’s companies such as Boeing, Douglas, and

Lockheed were developing new and innovative airplane designs.

Routes

• Airway is a general term for a path or route airplanes follow.• The airways are designated, regulated, and controlled by the

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).• Very high frequency omnidirectional radio range (VOR) devices are

transmitters that supply airplanes with location information.• Airways cover the area from ground level to 18,000 feet above sea

level.• Jet routes are positioned from 18,000’ up to 75,000’. They are

reserved for large commercial jets and airliners.• The airways and jet routes are divided into 1000’ layers to assist

pilots to maintain the proper distance from one another.• Airplane pilots must be well versed in the regulations for flying an

aircraft.

Modes of air transportation – Lighter-than-air craft

• They are more energy efficient. The two gases typically used are helium and hot air.

• Balloons: Balloons for recreation are filled with hot air. They carry the passengers, the burner and propane tanks. Hot air balloons are lowered by letting the air to cool.

• Airships (dirigible): They have rudders and elevators which are used to control the direction and altitude. They also have engines which are used to move the airships. Helium is used nowadays (The Hindenburg used hydrogen which is very combustible). Non rigid airships are called blimps.

Modes of air transportation – Heavier-than-air craft

• Gliders: They have no power source. They are used for recreation and training. It must be pulled behind another aircraft until it generates enough speed to maintain lift.

• Airplanes: Since 1900, the airplane has progressed very rapidly in design and construction. Some planes known as sea planes or amphibians are designed to land on water.

• Helicopters: A unique quality of the helicopter is that it can take off and land in vertical flight. The main rotor above the cockpit generates the lift. The auxiliary rotor is mounted on the tail.

• Recreational vehicles: Hang gliding, para-planing, parachuting and ballooning are done for sport or recreation.

Aviation Services

• General Aviation: consists of small privately owned planes used for recreational, business (crop spraying) and community oriented tasks.

• Commercial Aviation: Scheduled airline flights that provide passenger and cargo transportation.

• Military Aviation: Military aviation serves six categories: surveillance, cargo, tanker (refuel), bomber, fighter, and attack.

Summary• Gliders are aircraft with stable wings but no power source.• Helicopters are aircraft with rotating wings.• Aerodynamics is the study of the motion of air and how it reacts to objects passing

through it.• Airway is a general term for a path or route airplanes follow.• Jet routes are positioned from 18,000’ up to 75,000’. They are reserved for large

commercial jets and airliners.• Balloons: Balloons for recreation are filled with hot air.• Non rigid airships are called blimps.• Gliders: They have no power source.• Some planes known as sea planes or amphibians are designed to land on water.• Helicopters: A unique quality of the helicopter is that it can take off and land in

vertical flight.• Commercial Aviation: Scheduled airline flights that provide passenger and cargo

transportation.

Home Work

• 1. Define aerodynamics.• 2. What are the 6 categories of military aviation?