Ocean Aviation field trip
The mechanic Socrates explaining to us how the engine of an airplane works
One of the Cessna trainers they use for flight lessons
Backside of the planes engine showing all of the wires and tubes that need to be checked regulalry
Picture of the inside of the cockpit of a Cessna trainer.
Justin practicing on performing his pre-flight inspections pf the landing gear of one of the Cessna trainers.
Stations
Pre-flight inspection
At this station Tim talked us through the pre-flight inspection process, which basically is going around the outside of the plane and looking for any defects that could seriously affect flight or landing. This includes checking all of the conrtol surfaces and the wings and prop for any dents or bolts loose for the control surfaces. Also we had to check to make sure none of the rivets had popped out and that there was no water and the fuel tanks.
airplane operation
With Mike we learned how to navigate the plane with the yoke as well as learned what all the instruments do and various other switches and controls did. This was a particularly interesting station as i had never been in the cockpit of a functional plane, so it was really interesting to see the control surfaces of the plane move as i moved the yoke.
navigation
In the navigation station we learned how we should communicate with towers if we ever wanted to fly, and also what the symbols on the map meant. We were also told about what altitudes we should fly depending on the type of airfield, and at which distance away from the airport we should contact the tower. In additioon we learned how we are supposed to navigate through restricted airspace.
pilot training
In the pilot training station we learned what we have to do to get the different types of pilot licenses. For example you need 40 hours of flight to get a private license and you need to fly another 20 with only instruments in order to fly in bad conditions and clouds. He also told us it would cost about $8000 for all of the necessary lessons for only the private license.
maintenance
With Socrates we learned how the engine of the airplane works. He taught us about how the heat for the cockpit is actually exhaust. In addition he told us about the inspection process that every private plane has to do every year, and commercial planes have to be inspected once every 100 hours. We also learned of what parts the engine was constructed of and that it is air cooled rather than liquid cooled.
conclusion questions
- Wings on the top of the plane do not make for a more stable flight. Many of the trainer planes are quite stable no matter where the wings are located.
- That propellers are air foiled and are actually mini wings that pull the aircraft through the air through the pressure imbalance they create.
- What is the top speed of one of the Cessna trainers?
- Do it later in the year so the students understand when Socrates is talking about the engine for the plane.