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Short Wave

How Does An Airplane Stay In The Air?

Dec 23, 2024
This week features Mark Drela, an MIT aeronautical engineer and expert in flight mechanics. He explains how airplanes lift off and navigate the skies, demystifying the physics of flight for anxious travelers. Mark discusses the mechanics of lift, comparing it to water skiing and the feel of a hand out of a car window. He reassures listeners about safety, illustrating how aircraft are designed to embrace their natural inclination to fly. By breaking down complex theories, he provides clarity on the wonders of air travel.
15:10

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Many Americans experience fear of flying despite the statistical safety of commercial aviation, often using strategies to cope with anxiety during takeoff.
  • The principles of lift crucially depend on fluid mechanics, with airplane wings designed to create pressure differences that enable flight stability and safety.

Deep dives

Understanding Fear of Flying

Many people experience anxiety when flying, with a significant portion of the population reporting some level of fear at the thought of being in an airplane. Ramey Barnwell, a guest on the show, shares her personal struggles with flying, detailing a history of anxiety that began in childhood and persisted into adulthood. She often uses a 'plane nap strategy' to cope, attempting to fall asleep before takeoff as a means to manage her anxiety. Despite knowing the statistical unlikelihood of a plane crash compared to a car accident, she finds the experience of takeoff and being airborne particularly distressing.

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