Print this page Flight: Exceeding the Grasp
J.M. Syken
Course Outline
Through the viewing of several archival/documentary films produced in the 1940s/50s/70s, we will examine the history and development of flight. We will examine the ancient quest for flight starting with the Greek mythological figure Icarus through the ages to the evolution of space flight in the latter part of the 20th Century.
We will examine the development of manned flight from lighter-than-air craft (i.e. balloons) to the advent of powered flight starting with the Wright Brothers successful flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in December 1903. We will follow the development of powered flight through WWI, the period between the two world wars and the post-WWII era.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand/appreciate the importance of achieving flight to mankind from ancient times to the late 19th/early 20th Century;
- Understand/appreciate the developments of flight from the renaissance period through to the first flight in a balloon in the late 18th Century;
- Understand/appreciate the development of aerodynamic theories and principles;
- Understand/appreciate the application of aerodynamic principles to powered flight with a focus on the principle of the air foil;
- Understand/appreciate the manufacture of airplanes;
- Understand/appreciate the infrastructure of the aviation industry; and
- Understand/appreciate flight training and the skills required of a pilot.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals.
Benefit to Attendees
The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the background, history, development, innovations, technologies etc. of the aviation industry.
Course Introduction
The course incorporates the viewing of several archival/documentary films broken down as follows;
- Part 1 – From Icarus to Apollo
- Part 2 – Understanding Aerodynamics
- Part 3 – Aviation Innovation
- Part 4 – Aviation Infrastructure
- Part 5 – Flying High
Part 1 examines the ancient quest to fly from ancient time to modern day space flight. Part 2 examines the principles of aerodynamics including how an air foil works and wind tunnel testing. Part 3 examines the manufacture of airplanes. Part 4 examines the operations of an airport facility. Part 5 examines the training and skills required to be a pilot.
Course Content
Part 1 – From Icarus to Apollo;
TITLE: History of Flight: A Man’s Reach Should Exceed His Grasp (1972)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/history_of_flight_mans_reach
DURATION: 23:41
Part 2 – Understanding Aerodynamics;
TITLE: Aerodynamics – Forces Acting on an Air Foil (ca.1941)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.dod.dimoc.27274
DURATION: 25:49
Part 3 – Aviation Innovation;
TITLE: Look to Lockheed for Leadership – Part 1(ca.1940)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/LooktoLo1940
DURATION: 15:56
TITLE: Look to Lockheed for Leadership – Part 2(ca.1940)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/LooktoLo1940_2
DURATION: 15:53
TITLE: Four Methods of Flush Riveting (1942)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/FourMethodsOfFlushRiveting
DURATION: 09:32
Part 4 – Aviation Infrastructure;
TITLE: The Airport (1948)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/AirportT1948
DURATION: 10:31
Part 5 – Flying High;
TITLE: Flying Businessman (1953)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/FlyingBu1953
DURATION: 12:57
TITLE: Flying With Arthur Godfrey – Part 1(1953)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Flyingwi1953
DURATION: 23:18
TITLE: Flying With Arthur Godfrey – Part 2(1953)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Flyingwi1953_2
DURATION: 24:44
Course Summary
Ancient man believed that flight was the pervue of only birds and Gods. In his quest to become like the Gods, achieving flight was seen as the ideal means to do so. Thus, the conquest of the air has always been a human obsession. Due to a lack of understanding of aerodynamic forces and principles, many would-be Icarus’ died attempting to imitate the birds by simply attaching wings to their arms. As the centuries passed, men of genius began to realize that; to achieve powered flight, two things were necessary: an understanding of the movement of air over a solid body and a power source to match the power of a bird’s wings relative to its body. The invention of the internal combustion engine solved the latter problem and a building-up of aerodynamic theory over several centuries culminated in the Wright Brother’s first sustained powered flight. From that time forward, the sky and space above it was, literally, the limit.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bP2MH3LqvI
(Film: The Propeller Explained - 24:05)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ7rrc2PZUw
(Film: Airplane Propellers - Principles and Types (1941) - 16:54)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jloeTnGxi8E
(Film: Breaking the Sound Barrier - 48:30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LXW3pHNn_U
(Film: How Airplanes Fly [1968] - 18:29)
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
