From Icarus to Interplanetary From Icarus to Interplanetary TravelsTravels

Name: Moga IonutName: Moga Ionut

School: Sfantul Apostol AndreiSchool: Sfantul Apostol Andrei

City: Ploiesti, RomaniaCity: Ploiesti, Romania

          Before the Wright Brothers Before the Wright Brothers created the first flying created the first flying Airplane able to carry a Airplane able to carry a human, there were those who human, there were those who inspired the idea. If not for inspired the idea. If not for their ideas and experiments their ideas and experiments perhaps airplanes as we know perhaps airplanes as we know today might not have been. today might not have been. The first ideas of the perfect The first ideas of the perfect airplane were the flapping-airplane were the flapping-wing machines, called wing machines, called ornithopters. The Ornithopter ornithopters. The Ornithopter is where the wings are is where the wings are providing both the lift and providing both the lift and thrust. Apart from ornithopters thrust. Apart from ornithopters three devices important to three devices important to aviation had been invented in aviation had been invented in Europe in the Middle Ages and Europe in the Middle Ages and had reached a high stage. had reached a high stage.

Traian VuiaTraian Vuia

Traian VuiaTraian Vuia (August 17,  (August 17, 1872 - September 3, 1950) 1872 - September 3, 1950) was a was a Romanian inventor  inventor and aviation pioneer who and aviation pioneer who designed, built and tested a designed, built and tested a monoplane. His first . His first airborne test travelled about airborne test travelled about 12 metres (39 feet) on 12 metres (39 feet) on March 18, 1906, and his March 18, 1906, and his best distance was 24 m best distance was 24 m (79 ft). Vuia never achieved (79 ft). Vuia never achieved sustained and controlled sustained and controlled flight with his early aircraft, flight with his early aircraft, and his experiments did not and his experiments did not result in advances in result in advances in aviation. aviation.

Flying experimentsFlying experiments

By December 1905, Vuia finished construction of his first By December 1905, Vuia finished construction of his first aircraft, the "Traian Vuia 1“, a high-wing monoplane powered aircraft, the "Traian Vuia 1“, a high-wing monoplane powered by a by a carbonic acid gas engine. The liquid carbon dioxide was gas engine. The liquid carbon dioxide was vaporized in a vaporized in a Serpollet boiler; the fuel supply gave a running  boiler; the fuel supply gave a running duration of about three minutes. Vuia chose a site in duration of about three minutes. Vuia chose a site in Montesson, near Paris, for testing. At first he used the , near Paris, for testing. At first he used the machine only as a car, without the wings mounted, so he machine only as a car, without the wings mounted, so he could gather experience driving it. On March 18, 1906, he could gather experience driving it. On March 18, 1906, he made his first flight attempt. After accelerating for about 50 made his first flight attempt. After accelerating for about 50 meters (160 ft), the plane left the soil and flew about 1 m meters (160 ft), the plane left the soil and flew about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high for about 12 m (39 ft) distance, then (3 ft 3 in) high for about 12 m (39 ft) distance, then landed. The British aviation historian landed. The British aviation historian Charles Harvard Gibbs-Smith described this aircraft as "the  described this aircraft as "the first man-carrying monoplane of basically modern first man-carrying monoplane of basically modern configuration", yet "unsuccessful" because it was incapable of configuration", yet "unsuccessful" because it was incapable of sustained flight.sustained flight.

Romanian enthusiasts emphasize that Vuia's machine was able Romanian enthusiasts emphasize that Vuia's machine was able to take off from a flat surface by on-board means without to take off from a flat surface by on-board means without outside assistance, such as an incline, rails, or catapult. Such outside assistance, such as an incline, rails, or catapult. Such definitions are intended to take away the title of "first manned, definitions are intended to take away the title of "first manned, powered flight" from the powered flight" from the Wright brothers despite the fact that  despite the fact that on December 17, 1903, the Wrights flew from level ground on December 17, 1903, the Wrights flew from level ground without a catapult, using a rail only to guide the wheeled dolly without a catapult, using a rail only to guide the wheeled dolly or truck that the or truck that the Wright Flyer biplane shed upon lifting from the  biplane shed upon lifting from the ground. As well, the Wrights were able to make sustained and ground. As well, the Wrights were able to make sustained and controlled flights in a complete circuit by September 1904, controlled flights in a complete circuit by September 1904, returning to land where they started.returning to land where they started.After his March 1906 takeoff, Vuia made several more powered After his March 1906 takeoff, Vuia made several more powered hops or short flights later that year and in 1907. In August 1906 hops or short flights later that year and in 1907. In August 1906 he built a modified version of his flying machine, the "Vuia he built a modified version of his flying machine, the "Vuia I I bisbis." None of these were successful in achieving sustained ." None of these were successful in achieving sustained flight, so Vuia abandoned them and from that time forward he flight, so Vuia abandoned them and from that time forward he "ceased to play an important part in aviation", according to "ceased to play an important part in aviation", according to Gibbs-Smith.Gibbs-Smith.In 1907, his "Vuia II" airplane, with an Antoinette In 1907, his "Vuia II" airplane, with an Antoinette 25 horsepower (19 kilowatts) internal combustion engine, was 25 horsepower (19 kilowatts) internal combustion engine, was exhibited at the first Aeronautical Salon in Paris.exhibited at the first Aeronautical Salon in Paris.Aviation pioneer Aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont, who made famous , who made famous short flights in Paris in October and November 1906, short flights in Paris in October and November 1906, recognized Vuia as a "forerunner" of his efforts, as described by recognized Vuia as a "forerunner" of his efforts, as described by Charles Dollfus, the curator of an aeronautical museum in Paris., the curator of an aeronautical museum in Paris.

Wright brothersWright brothers

Most people don't know that it was not in 1903, but in the 1800s, Most people don't know that it was not in 1903, but in the 1800s, that the Wright brothers, working with kites, had worked out the that the Wright brothers, working with kites, had worked out the key issue for flight: control.key issue for flight: control.While other aviators searched in vain for "inherent stability," While other aviators searched in vain for "inherent stability," Orville and Wilbur created a method for the pilot to control the Orville and Wilbur created a method for the pilot to control the airplane. The real breakthrough was their ingenious invention of airplane. The real breakthrough was their ingenious invention of "wing-warping." If the pilot wanted to bank a turn to the left, the "wing-warping." If the pilot wanted to bank a turn to the left, the wings could be warped to provide more lift on the wings on the wings could be warped to provide more lift on the wings on the right side of the biplane. The brothers worked out a system for 3-right side of the biplane. The brothers worked out a system for 3-axis control that is still used today on fixed-wing aircraft: left and axis control that is still used today on fixed-wing aircraft: left and right like a car or boat (a rudder), up and down (the 1903 Wright right like a car or boat (a rudder), up and down (the 1903 Wright "Flyer" had its elevator in the front), and banking a turn as birds "Flyer" had its elevator in the front), and banking a turn as birds do (or like leaning to one side while riding a bicycle). Working do (or like leaning to one side while riding a bicycle). Working with kites in 1899, the brothers figured out and tested their with kites in 1899, the brothers figured out and tested their systems for 3-axis control, and in the next two years they did systems for 3-axis control, and in the next two years they did experiments with gliders at Kitty Hawk, and then with their wind experiments with gliders at Kitty Hawk, and then with their wind tunnel, to find the proper lift. They found that the formula for lift tunnel, to find the proper lift. They found that the formula for lift - namely the "Smeaton coefficient" that everybody had been - namely the "Smeaton coefficient" that everybody had been using for over 100 years - was wrong. By the time they built their using for over 100 years - was wrong. By the time they built their 1902 glider, they had worked out all the problems and they knew 1902 glider, they had worked out all the problems and they knew it would fly.it would fly.

Following the first sustained flight of a heavier-than-air Following the first sustained flight of a heavier-than-air vehicle in 1903, the Wright brothers refined their design, vehicle in 1903, the Wright brothers refined their design, eventually selling airplanes to the U.S. Army. The first major eventually selling airplanes to the U.S. Army. The first major impetus to aircraft development occurred during impetus to aircraft development occurred during World War I, when aircrafts were designed and constructed , when aircrafts were designed and constructed for specific military missionsfor specific military missions, including fighter attack, , including fighter attack, bombing, and reconnaissance. The end of the war marked bombing, and reconnaissance. The end of the war marked the decline of military high-technology aircraft the decline of military high-technology aircraft and the rise and the rise of civil air transportation. Many advances in the civil sector of civil air transportation. Many advances in the civil sector were due to technologies gained in developing military and were due to technologies gained in developing military and racing aircraft. A successful military design that found many racing aircraft. A successful military design that found many civil applications was the U.S. Navy Curtiss NC-4 flying boat, civil applications was the U.S. Navy Curtiss NC-4 flying boat, powered by four 400-horsepower V-12 powered by four 400-horsepower V-12 Liberty engines. It . It was the British, however, who paved the way in civil was the British, however, who paved the way in civil aviation in 1920 with a 12-passenger Handley-Page  in 1920 with a 12-passenger Handley-Page transport. Aviation boomed after transport. Aviation boomed after Charles A. Lindbergh’s solo Charles A. Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Advances in . Advances in metallurgy led to improved strength-to-weight ratios and, metallurgy led to improved strength-to-weight ratios and, coupled with a mono-coque design, enabled aircraft to fly coupled with a mono-coque design, enabled aircraft to fly farther and faster. farther and faster. Hugo Junkers, a German, , a German, built the first built the first all-metal monoplane in 1910, but the design was not all-metal monoplane in 1910, but the design was not accepted until 1933, when the accepted until 1933, when the Boeing 247-D entered  entered serviceservice. The twin-engine design of the latter established the . The twin-engine design of the latter established the foundation of modern air transport. foundation of modern air transport.

Aurel VlaicuAurel Vlaicu

Aurel VlaicuAurel Vlaicu (November 19, 1882 – September 13, 1913)  (November 19, 1882 – September 13, 1913) was a was a Romanian engineer, inventor, airplane constructor and engineer, inventor, airplane constructor and early pilot, one of the first Romanian pioneers of aviation. early pilot, one of the first Romanian pioneers of aviation.

Aurel Vlaicu was born in the Aurel Vlaicu was born in the village of Binţinţi (now Aurel village of Binţinţi (now Aurel Vlaicu) near Vlaicu) near Geoagiu, , Transylvania. He attended . He attended Calvinist High School in Orăştie  High School in Orăştie (renamed "Liceul Aurel Vlaicu" in (renamed "Liceul Aurel Vlaicu" in his honour in 1919) and took his his honour in 1919) and took his Baccalaureate in  in Sibiu in 1902.  in 1902. He furthered his studies at He furthered his studies at Technical University of Budapest and  and Technische Hochschule München in  in Germany, earning his , earning his engineer's diploma in 1907.engineer's diploma in 1907.After working at After working at Opel car factory  car factory in in Rüsselsheim, he returned to , he returned to Binţinţi and built a Binţinţi and built a glider he flew  he flew in the summer of 1909. Later in the summer of 1909. Later that year he moved to that year he moved to Bucharest in the  in the Kingdom of Romania, , where he began the construction where he began the construction of of Vlaicu I airplane that flew for  airplane that flew for the first time on June 17, 1910 the first time on June 17, 1910 over over Cotroceni airfield. airfield.

With his With his Vlaicu IIVlaicu II model, built in  model, built in 1911, Aurel Vlaicu won several 1911, Aurel Vlaicu won several prizes summing 7,500 prizes summing 7,500 Austro-Hungarian krone (for  (for precise landing, projectile precise landing, projectile throwing and tight flying around a throwing and tight flying around a pole) in 1912 at pole) in 1912 at Aspern Air Show  Air Show near near Vienna, where he competed , where he competed against 42 other aviators of the against 42 other aviators of the day, including day, including Roland Garros..Aurel Vlaicu died on September Aurel Vlaicu died on September 13, 1913 near 13, 1913 near Câmpina while  while attempting to be the first to cross attempting to be the first to cross flying the flying the Carpathian Mountains in  in his old his old Vlaicu IIVlaicu II airplane. He was  airplane. He was expected to participate in the expected to participate in the ASTRA (Asociaţia Transilvană ASTRA (Asociaţia Transilvană pentru Literatura Română şi pentru Literatura Română şi Cultura Poporului Român) Cultura Poporului Român) festivities in festivities in Orastie, near Binţinţi. , near Binţinţi. His body was buried five days His body was buried five days later in later in Bellu cemetery, in cemetery, in Bucharest.Bucharest.

Aircraft Composite DesignAircraft Composite Design - - Composite Design Simulation Composite Design Simulation Specialist For Aircraft StructuresSpecialist For Aircraft Structures

To drive a propeller, you need power. The Wright To drive a propeller, you need power. The Wright brothers wanted a lightweight gasoline engine that brothers wanted a lightweight gasoline engine that would provide the necessary oomph. They tried to buy would provide the necessary oomph. They tried to buy an engine, but no one was willing to build one to their an engine, but no one was willing to build one to their specifications. So, with the capable assistance of specifications. So, with the capable assistance of Charles Taylor, they built their own engine. It was a Charles Taylor, they built their own engine. It was a state-of-the-art four-cylinder model. Taylor hand-state-of-the-art four-cylinder model. Taylor hand-tooled the crankshaft on the Wright shop lathe. Its tooled the crankshaft on the Wright shop lathe. Its power-to-weight ratio was better than anything power-to-weight ratio was better than anything around. Even still, in the words of Charles Taylor, "It around. Even still, in the words of Charles Taylor, "It wasn't much of an engine." There was no carburettor. wasn't much of an engine." There was no carburettor. The raw gas was just dumped into the cylinders. It was The raw gas was just dumped into the cylinders. It was air-cooled, without even the benefit of fins. To control air-cooled, without even the benefit of fins. To control the engine speed, the spark could be advanced or the engine speed, the spark could be advanced or retarded. It had the horsepower - barely - to drag the retarded. It had the horsepower - barely - to drag the 1903 machine into the dense December ocean air. As 1903 machine into the dense December ocean air. As the engine broke in the next year, it began to produce the engine broke in the next year, it began to produce more horsepower, and better flights. more horsepower, and better flights.

Evolution of airplanesEvolution of airplanes

The advent of the turbine-powered airplane dramatically The advent of the turbine-powered airplane dramatically changed the air transportation industry. Germany and Britain changed the air transportation industry. Germany and Britain were concurrently developing the jet engine, but it was a were concurrently developing the jet engine, but it was a GermanGerman Heinkel He 178 that made Heinkel He 178 that made the first jet flight on Aug. 27, the first jet flight on Aug. 27, 19391939. Even though World War II accelerated the growth of the . Even though World War II accelerated the growth of the airplane, the jet aircraft was not airplane, the jet aircraft was not introduced into service until introduced into service until 19441944, when the British Gloster Meteor became operational, , when the British Gloster Meteor became operational, shortly followed by the German Me 262. The first practical shortly followed by the German Me 262. The first practical American jet was the Lockheed F-80, which entered service in American jet was the Lockheed F-80, which entered service in 1945.1945.Commercial aircraft after World War II Commercial aircraft after World War II continued to use the continued to use the more economical propeller method of propulsion. The efficiency more economical propeller method of propulsion. The efficiency of the jet engine was increased, and in of the jet engine was increased, and in 19491949 the British de the British de Havilland Comet inaugurated Havilland Comet inaugurated commercial jet transport flightcommercial jet transport flight. . The Comet, however, experienced structural failures that The Comet, however, experienced structural failures that curtailed the service, and it was not until curtailed the service, and it was not until 1958 that the highly 1958 that the highly successful Boeing 707 jet transport began nonstop transatlantic successful Boeing 707 jet transport began nonstop transatlantic flightsflights. While civil aircraft designs utilize most new . While civil aircraft designs utilize most new technological advancements, the transport and general technological advancements, the transport and general aviation configurations have changed only slightly since 1960. aviation configurations have changed only slightly since 1960. Because of escalating fuel and hardware prices, the Because of escalating fuel and hardware prices, the development of civil aircraft has been dominated by the need development of civil aircraft has been dominated by the need for economical operation.for economical operation.

Technological improvements in propulsion, materials, avionics, Technological improvements in propulsion, materials, avionics, stability and controls have enabled aircraft to grow in size, carrying stability and controls have enabled aircraft to grow in size, carrying more cargo faster and over longer distances. While aircrafts are more cargo faster and over longer distances. While aircrafts are becoming safer and more efficient, they are also now very complex. becoming safer and more efficient, they are also now very complex. Today’s commercial aircraft are among the most sophisticated Today’s commercial aircraft are among the most sophisticated engineering achievements of the day.engineering achievements of the day.Smaller, more fuel-efficient airliners are being developed. The use of Smaller, more fuel-efficient airliners are being developed. The use of turbine engines in light general aviation and commuter aircraft is turbine engines in light general aviation and commuter aircraft is being explored, along with more being explored, along with more efficient propulsion systemsefficient propulsion systems, such as , such as the prop-fan concept. Using satellite communication signals, onboard the prop-fan concept. Using satellite communication signals, onboard microcomputers can provide more microcomputers can provide more accurate vehicle navigation and accurate vehicle navigation and collision-avoidance systems. Digital electronics coupled with servo collision-avoidance systems. Digital electronics coupled with servo mechanisms can increase efficiency mechanisms can increase efficiency by providing active stability by providing active stability augmentation of control systems. New composite materials providing augmentation of control systems. New composite materials providing greater weight reduction; inexpensive one-man, lightweight, greater weight reduction; inexpensive one-man, lightweight, noncertified aircraft, referred to as noncertified aircraft, referred to as ultralight; and alternate fuels ultralight; and alternate fuels such such as ethanol, methanol, synthetic fuel from shale deposits and coal, as ethanol, methanol, synthetic fuel from shale deposits and coal, and liquid hydrogen are all being explored. Aircraft designed for and liquid hydrogen are all being explored. Aircraft designed for vertical and short takeoff and landing, which can land on runways vertical and short takeoff and landing, which can land on runways one-tenth the normal length, are being developedone-tenth the normal length, are being developed. Hybrid vehicles . Hybrid vehicles such as the Bell XV-15 tilt-rotor already combine the vertical and such as the Bell XV-15 tilt-rotor already combine the vertical and hover hover capabilities of the helicopter with the speed and efficiency of capabilities of the helicopter with the speed and efficiency of the airplane. the airplane. Although environmental restrictions and high operating Although environmental restrictions and high operating costs have limited the success of the supersonic civil transport, the costs have limited the success of the supersonic civil transport, the appeal of reduced travelling time justifies the examination of a appeal of reduced travelling time justifies the examination of a second generation of supersonic aircraft.second generation of supersonic aircraft.