|
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 5: Two Years to Flight: 1902
Answer Key
| Directions: |
After reading Chapter 5, Two Years to Flight: 1902, answer
each question using complete sentences. Back up your answers by using
information from the book. |
1. List the changes the brothers made to the glider of 1902.
- wings were slightly larger in square footage, but longer and narrower
(32 ft. by 5 ft.);
- smaller curve which peaked about a third of the way back from the
leading edge;
- forward elevator was smaller and shaped like a small wing;
- a hip cradle was added which was connected to the wings and held the
pilot snugly into position. This would cause the wings to warp when
needed whenever the pilot instinctively moved his body in a reaction
to the wing movement;
- added a six-foot vertical, double tail with a fixed rudder to help
control the glider in a turn.
2. What was the "big problem" of 1902, and how did they solve
it?
| Problem: |
An uncontrollable tailspin would occur whenever the aircraft
was put into a sharp turn with a steep banking of the wings. |
| Solution: |
Use only one rudder and make it movable. Attach the wing warping
wires to the rudder so that the pilot would control them both at the
same time. |
3. Explain how each movement was now being controlled.
| pitch |
front elevator |
| roll |
wing warping |
| yaw |
rear vertical rudder |
4. What old idea for control was finally "put to rest"?
The idea that the pilot could control the aircraft by shifting his/her
weight.
5. What was the last design change that the Brothers made before leaving
Kitty Hawk this year? Why did they change it?
They made the glider's wings more rigid by making the leading
edges of the wings immovable. They would twist only the rear outer edges
of the wingtips. They were thinking ahead. They knew that the next step
would be to put an engine on their glider. They believed that the wing
design change would withstand the engine's vibration better.
|
