Session 3 at SOAR By Avembsys

         Today's session started with the fundamentals of physics such as momentum, speed, velocity, moment and this was particularly helpful as I had a long time doubt on the difference between moment and momentum. We further discussed about density, and viscosity and then moved on to pressure, their types and how it is used in calculation of the airspeed of a plan (pitot tube).

       Coming to different terminologies used in aerospace, we first discussed about the various altitudes and the standards pertaining to pressure, density, temperature and speed of sound. We later moved on to the attitude ie. The angle of the aircraft with respect to the horizon. Finishing with attitude, we moved on for discussing about the mach number and their terminologies at different mach numbers.

       After the terminologies, we then came to the different concepts involved in keeping the plane in air ie. the lift, drag and thrust. We also discussed about the different parts of the plane including the cockpit, fuselage, the allerons, flaps, slats, spoilers, rudders, vertical and horizontal stabilizers. Although I knew about most of the parts, I got to learn something new such as the spoilers, flaps and slats and how they are used to maneuver the plane and also to change the lift of the plane.

      We then discussed about the different criteria needed for for flight such as the lift coefficient and my favorite, stalling after which, Mr. Faizan asked us whether we had any doubts and that is when were able to discuss about the air pockets, cloud bursts and how it affects the plane. After this we dispersed for lunch for about 30 minutes.

      In the second half we first started out with project ideas. The students of EC and EEE were given a introductory project on microcontrollers and a software based project was handed over to the IS and CS department. After the discussion on the projects, we were shown a video on the maiden flight of Airbus - the first of its kind to use fly by wire mechanism wherein the pilot does not have direct control over the plane ie. the pilot flies a computer and the computer flies the plane, thus overwriting any commands given by the pilot, when the computer feels that it will hamper the plane, and how the crash took place, although we were looking forward on finding out what the air crash investigators concluded. After this we discussed about the VTOLs acronym for Vertical Take Off and Landings and also we saw a video on how the engine moves in these kind of planes.

    Thus the 3rd session of SOAR came to an end with a lot of people bumbling about the project that they're going to be involved in and their roles in the project.