Book 1

Book 2

Book 3

Book 4

Helper's Guide

Wonderful Wings (p. 6)

• This activity is a basic introduction to how airplanes fly.

• Background/reference information for this activity:

  • Airplanes have wings that keep them in the air (LIFT) and a propeller or jet engine to move them forward (THRUST).

Follow That Shadow (p. 16)

• This activity shows how to identify airplanes based on their shadow.

• Background/reference information for this activity:

  • Answer Key:

    1 - B

    2 - E

    3 - C

    4 - A

    5 - F

    6 - D

  • For pictures and more information on different types of airplanes, visit the National Air and Space Museum's collections webpage.

From Nose To Tail (p. 32)

• This activity teaches the different parts of an airplane.

• Background/reference information for this activity:

  • See Lesson 2: Airplane Parts for a labeled diagram.

  • Term definitions can be found in the GLOSSARY.

  • Answer Key:

    1 - E

    2 - J

    3 - B

    4 - F

    5 - I

    6 - A

    7 - H

    8 - G

    9 - D *

    10 - C *

    *Note: answer key in Helper's Guide is incorrect.

Attitudes, Altitudes and Airspeeds (p. 12)

• This activity simulates an airplane control panel.

• Background/reference information for this activity:

  • See Lesson 3: Airplane Instruments for a further explanation of each instrument

  • Answer Key:

    1 - E

    2 - A

    3 - B

    4 - D

    5 - C

    6 - F

• These websites have information on flight simulators and often have links to downloadable flight simulator programs. 

   

  Anyone choosing to download any programs or documents from a website should be sure to use anti-virus and spyware protection software.  If you choose to download any of these programs, you take responsibility for protecting your computer from viruses, spyware or any other programs that may damage your computer.  We make no claims as to the safety of downloading from these sites and cannot be held responsible for any damaging programs you may inadvertently download.

   

  If youth wish to download any files or software, make sure they secure parental permission before putting it on their computer.

   

  • AvSim: An online community of aviation simulation enthusiasts

  • FlightGear Flight Simulator

  • FlightSim

  • Orbiter: Space Flight Simulator

Rudder Away (p. 16)

• This activity teaches how to build a straw and card-stock glider based on the Wright Brother's airplane design.

• Children experiment with wing shape to make the glider fly farther.

• Background/reference information for this activity:

  • Paper airplanes fly like a glider.  See Just Blowing Through for more information.

  • Gliders are also subject to the forces of flight as explained in Flight Lesson 4: Types of Forces in Flight.

  • Check out the following websites for more information:

    • Information on the Wright Brothers and their flyer:

      http://www.nasm.si.edu/wrightbrothers/

    • US Hang Gliding Associations FAQ page:

      http://www.ushga.org/faq.asp

    • A hang gliding Java flight simulator:

      http://www.urban75.org/useless/glider.html

Flying My Way (p. 18)

• This activity teaches how to build a glider or paper airplane.

• Background/reference information for this activity:

  • Paper airplanes fly like a glider.  See Just Blowing Through for more information.

  • Gliders are also subject to the forces of flight as explained in Flight Lesson 4: Types of Forces in Flight.

  • These paper airplanes also simulate ailerons, rudders and elevators.  See Lesson 2: Airplane Parts for further explanation.

  

  Adapted from Stage 3: Reaching New Heights, pg. 18

  • Students practice bending the tabs in the wings and tail they cut.  This should alter the flight path and help students learn how ailerons, rudders & elevators work.

• Other designs for paper airplanes:

   

  Most of the airplane designs DO NOT require any download, however some paper airplane designs may be in downloadable document form.  Anyone choosing to download any programs or documents from a website should be sure to use anti-virus and spyware protection software.  If you choose to download any of these designs, you take responsibility for protecting your computer from viruses, spyware or any other programs that may damage your computer.  We make no claims as to the safety of downloading from these sites and cannot be held responsible for any damaging programs you may inadvertently download.

   

  If youth wish to download any files or software, make sure they secure parental permission before putting it on their computer.

   

  • http://www.zurqui.co.cr/crinfocus/paper/airplane.html

  • http://www.paperplane.org/

  • http://www.paperairplanes.co.uk/planes.html

  • http://www.josephpalmer.com/planes/Airplane.shtml

  • http://www.bestpaperairplanes.com/

  • http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/paper.htm

Mustangs to Zeros (p. 28)

• This activity teaches the different parts of a radio controlled airplane.

• Background/reference information for this activity:

  • See Lesson 2: Airplane Parts for a labeled diagram.

  • Parts descriptions can also be found in the GLOSSARY.

• Suggested supplementary activities:

  • Fly a radio controlled airplane

    • Inexpensive pre-built airplanes can be found online or at toy stores for under $30.

  • Join a radio control (R.C. Airplane) group in your area.  Sites that have links to local clubs:

    http://www.rc-airplane-world.com/rc-airplane-clubs.html

    http://www.towerhobbies.com/rcwairclub.html

     

There are no activities in Book 4: Pilot in Command about how airplanes work.