Oct 7
Metals in the Sky: What is an Airplane and How Do Planes Fly?
- Işık Arda Yardımsever
- Oct 7
- 15 min read
Airplanes, giant metal hulks that take off in an average of 115,000 flights worldwide daily, seem to defy the laws of physics, just like ships. Essentially, both vehicles operate entirely according to the laws of physics, and that's how they find their place in our daily lives. We all know about the buoyancy of water, but when it comes to flying, things are different. How do these massive metal vehicles even get airborne when gravity prevents us from jumping too high and escaping the atmosphere, let alone flying?
Today, we'll answer all your questions about airplanes: what they are, how they fly, what materials they're made of, and more. Fasten your seat belts, because the warning light is still on!
Contents
What is an Airplane?
An airplane is a powered aircraft that can stay airborne thanks to the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of its wings. They are used for a variety of purposes, including passenger and cargo transport and military purposes, and operate primarily based on aerodynamic principles. They consist of main components: wings, engines, tail, fuselage, and cockpit. Four primary forces are at play in flight: lift, thrust, weight, and drag.
How Do Planes Fly?
Airplanes fly by generating lift through their wings, which push air downward. Wings have aerodynamic profiles (airfoils) with a curved upper surface and a flatter lower surface. This structure creates lift by lowering the air pressure above the wing than below it. When air is pushed down, the aircraft is lifted upward in response.
Aircraft engines, on the other hand, provide forward thrust, creating more airflow over the wings, thus increasing lift. Lift, weight, thrust, and friction/resistance are the four fundamental forces that affect aircraft flight. The answer to the question of how a pilot lifts an aircraft lies in balancing these forces and adjusting the wing's angle of attack using flaps. This allows aircraft to take off and maneuver in a controlled manner.
How Does the Nose of a Plane Lift Up?
The aircraft's nose is lifted by control surfaces controlled by the pilot; in particular, the horizontal tail fins, called elevators , direct airflow, allowing the aircraft's nose to rise. This mechanism ensures a balanced rise during takeoff and landing, enabling safe maneuvering in the air.
Why Are Airplanes' Fronts Pointed?
The front of an airplane, or nose, is pointed because this design reduces air resistance and allows the aircraft to move more efficiently through the air. The pointed nose allows air to flow smoothly around the aircraft, minimizing drag and fuel consumption, and also improving stability at high speeds.
How Do Planes Stay in the Air?
Airplanes stay airborne thanks to the lift created by the airflow over their wings . As the aircraft moves, the air above the wings moves faster, while the air below moves slower. This speed difference, according to Bernoulli's principle, causes the pressure above the wing to decrease and the pressure below it to become relatively higher. This pressure difference creates lift. Pilots maintain stability in the air by adjusting the aircraft's speed and direction using engine power and control surfaces.
How High Do Planes Fly?
Commercial aircraft typically fly between 9,000 and 13,000 meters . This altitude range is ideal for fuel efficiency , calmer air conditions, and avoiding turbulence and adverse weather conditions. Popular models like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 typically fly around 10,500 meters , while larger aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 can reach altitudes approaching 13,000 meters , reaching their maximum service altitude . Private jets can fly around 15,000 meters .
Pilots determine flight altitude based on factors such as aircraft capacity, weight, weather, air traffic control, and fuel efficiency . Flying at higher altitudes reduces air resistance , saves fuel, and extends the aircraft's range.
What is the Aircraft Speed?
Commercial aircraft typically fly at speeds between 450 and 580 miles per hour (740–925 kilometers per hour) . This corresponds to a speed range of approximately Mach 0.74–0.85 . The answer to the question of how fast an aircraft can fly varies depending on the model:
Boeing 737: 912–975 km/h (Mach 0.74–0.79)
Boeing 747: approximately 917 km/h (Mach 0.85)
Boeing 777: approximately 1,036 km/h (Mach 0.84)
Airbus A320: approximately 962 km/h (Mach 0.78)
Airbus A380: approximately 917 km/h (Mach 0.85)
Aircraft takeoff and landing speeds are much slower. They're typically around 240–290 km/h during takeoff and 225–265 km/h during landing . Weather conditions, altitude, and aircraft weight affect these speeds. Private jets are slightly faster, while military jets can often reach supersonic speeds .
How Much Does an Aircraft Weigh?
Medium- and large-size commercial passenger aircraft typically have an empty weight of between 68 and 100 tons . Adding a full load (fuel + passengers + cargo) increases the weight by approximately 45 to 59 tons . Thus, an aircraft's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) can typically be 113 to 159 tons or more. Fuel accounts for the largest portion of this load, followed by passengers and cargo.
How Does an Airplane Move?
Airplane wings aren't flat; they're shaped like teardrops, with the top more curved than the bottom. This design allows airflow to flow faster over the wing and slower under it, creating lift . While the engines push the aircraft forward, the wings hold it in the air thanks to this lift. As the aircraft flies, the pilot controls the aircraft's elevation, descent, and direction by adjusting the wing angles and engine power. This balance between thrust, lift, weight, and drag ensures safe flight.
Why Don't Planes Go Straight?
Airplanes don't appear to fly in straight lines on maps because the Earth is spherical . The shortest path between two points is along a curved arc called a Great Circle Route . This route shortens distance, saves fuel, and reduces flight time. It's also possible to deviate course to take advantage of winds, avoid bad weather, or cross restricted airspace.
How Does an Airplane Engine Work?
Aircraft move forward thanks to the thrust generated by their engines. Modern commercial aircraft generally use turbofan jet engines . These engines take in air from the atmosphere, compress it, burn it with jet fuel, and rapidly expel the high-temperature, expanding gases out the rear. According to Newton's third law, the rearward ejection of these gases propels the aircraft to which the engine is attached. The large fan at the front of the engine moves a large amount of air around the engine, improving fuel efficiency and quietness .
What is Aviation Fuel?
Aircraft fuel, also known as aviation gasoline , is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons , primarily derived from kerosene . It contains paraffins (40-50%), naphthenes (25-30%), aromatic hydrocarbons (15-25%), and small amounts of olefins (<1%) . Additives such as antioxidants, anti-icing agents, and corrosion inhibitors enhance the fuel's performance, safety, and stability. This unique composition provides high energy density and efficient combustion for aircraft turbine engines .
How Much Fuel Does a Plane Take?
Medium- and large-size commercial passenger aircraft can carry an average of 24,600 to 320,000 liters of fuel, depending on size and model . Small aircraft can hold approximately 25,940 liters, mid-size aircraft approximately 27,200 liters, and large wide-body aircraft approximately 238,610 liters. The amount of fuel an aircraft can hold varies depending on its range, passenger capacity, and cargo load.
How Much Fuel Does an Airplane Consume?
Small aircraft burn about 700 to 1,400 kg of fuel per hour, mid-size aircraft about 2,300 to 3,200 kg , and large wide-body aircraft use 4,500 to 5,500 kg of fuel per hour.
How Much Fuel Does an Airplane Consume Per 1000 KM?
On average, a commercial airliner consumes approximately 2.5 to 5.5 tons of jet fuel for a 1,000-kilometer flight. This range reflects the lower fuel consumption for smaller aircraft and the higher fuel consumption for larger aircraft. By volume, this equates to approximately 3,000 to 6,500 liters of fuel.
What is the name of aviation fuel?
Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B fuels are used for jet engines , while AVGAS 100LL and AVGAS 100 are used for piston-engine aircraft. Jet A-1 has a low freezing point (-47°C) and is suitable for high-altitude flight; Jet B is a lower-freezing naphtha-kerosene blend for very cold climates. AVGAS , used in small propeller-driven aircraft and trainer aircraft, can be harmful due to its lead content. Additionally , Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), biofuels, and alternative fuels are becoming increasingly popular to reduce environmental impact.
How to Obtain Aviation Fuel?
Traditional jet fuel is derived from underground crude oil through refinery processes and provides the energy density and combustion characteristics required by aircraft engines. Crude oil is further refined through distillation, hydrotreating, isomerization, and additives to meet flight safety and performance standards. Additionally, biological or synthetic fuels such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are being developed to reduce environmental impacts; they are produced from plants, agricultural waste, or other biomass.
How Much is Aircraft Fuel?
By 2025, the average price of commercial jet fuel is around $2.07–$2.10 per gallon . This figure applies to major markets like the US and Europe. In Turkey, the price of a barrel of jet fuel as of September 2025 is approximately $84.8. Since a barrel contains 42 gallons, this equates to approximately $2.06 per gallon in Turkey. So, the answer to the question of how much is 1 liter of aviation fuel is approximately 22.4 TL .
When Was the Airplane Invented?
Airplanes were invented by the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright , in the early 20th century. The first controlled, sustained, powered flight occurred on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina . With Orville at the controls, the Wright Flyer weighed approximately 335 kg (700 lb) including pilot, used two propellers, and flew 37 meters (110 ft) for 12 seconds on its first attempt . The Wright brothers were able to steer the aircraft with their three-axis control system, and by 1905, they had achieved much longer, more practical flights.
The Wright brothers' invention also covers the question of when the first powered airplane was invented.
What is the name of the first airplane?
The first airplane invented and flown by the Wright brothers was the Wright Flyer. It is also known as the Kitty Hawk Flyer, Flyer I, or the 1903 Flyer.
When was the first airplane built in Türkiye?
The first aircraft produced in Turkey was the Vecihi K-VI, built by Turkish aviation pioneer Vecihi Hürkuş. Technical drawings for the aircraft were completed in June 1923, and the aircraft was manufactured at the Halkapınar Aircraft Repair Workshop. The Vecihi K-VI made its maiden flight on January 28, 1925, marking the first aircraft produced in Turkey . Despite this historic achievement, Hürkuş initially faced challenges, including legal issues stemming from flying without permission, which impacted his career in military aviation.
When Did the First Passenger Plane Fly in the World?
The first passenger airplane took off in May 1908, when Wilbur Wright piloted Charles Furnas to an altitude of 2,000 feet (610 meters) off the coast of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina . Just one year later, the German airline DELAG, the world's first airline, was founded.
When Did the First Passenger Plane Fly in Türkiye?
Turkey's first passenger aircraft, the Nu.D-38 , built by Nuri Demirağ , took off on its maiden flight from Istanbul to Ankara on May 26, 1944. Demirağ began domestic aircraft production at the aircraft factory he established in Beşiktaş in 1936 and used the Elmas Paşa Farm in Yeşilköy for test flights. The Nu.D-38 was a dual-control aircraft with a speed of 325 km/h, a range of 1,000 km, and a six-passenger passenger compartment . Among the passengers on the maiden flight were two pilots and journalists. The aircraft soon conducted test flights to Bursa, İzmir, Kayseri, and Sivas, but the project was abandoned due to insufficient orders for continued production. The Nu.D-38 is a significant milestone in Turkish aviation, both technically and historically.
When Did the First Plane Crash Happen?
The first airplane crash occurred on September 17, 1908, at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA. A Wright Model A aircraft crashed when a propeller blade broke during a demonstration flight. Pilot Orville Wright was seriously injured but survived, while U.S. Army Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge died, becoming the first recorded fatality in an air crash.
What is Aerodynamics in Aircraft?
Aerodynamics in aircraft is the science of how air interacts with moving objects, particularly aircraft, and the resulting forces. It involves understanding how air flows around an aircraft to create the forces that make flight possible, such as lift, drag, thrust, and weight.
The basic principles of aerodynamics in aircraft are:
Lift: The upward force created by the wings as air passes over and under the wings causes the aircraft to rise and stay airborne.
Friction: The resistance or friction force that opposes the forward motion of an aircraft through the air.
Thrust: The forward force produced by the engines to propel the aircraft forward.
Weight: The downward force due to gravity acting on the aircraft.
The shape of an aircraft's wing, known as an airfoil, is crucial in aerodynamics. Wings are designed to move air faster over the curved upper surface than the lower surface. This creates lower pressure above the wing, generating lift.
What is a Flap in an Aircraft?
A flap is a hinged surface on the trailing edge of an aircraft wing that can be extended to increase lift and drag during takeoff and landing. Flaps help the aircraft fly slower without stalling, enabling steeper approaches and shorter landing distances.
What is an Aircraft Stall?
A stall is a condition in which an aircraft's wings fail to generate sufficient airborne lift. This typically occurs when the wing's angle of attack increases too much. When airflow over the wing is disrupted, lift decreases, and the aircraft temporarily loses airborne stability and loses speed or altitude. Stalls are particularly common during low-speed or sudden maneuvers.
What is Trim on an Airplane?
Trim is the system that allows an aircraft to maintain a stable and balanced flight attitude without manual control . Instead of constantly adjusting the controls, the pilot uses trim settings to optimize the aircraft's horizontal, vertical, or lateral stability through small adjustments to the wing and tail. This reduces pilot fatigue and helps the aircraft remain stable during long flights.
What is a Rudder Plane?
The rudder is the control surface located on the aircraft's vertical tail fin that provides steering . Using the rudder pedals, the pilot can shift the aircraft's nose to the right or left, providing directional control during turns or in windy conditions . The rudder is critical for maintaining stability, especially during takeoff and landing.
Structural Parts in Aircraft
The main components of an aircraft can be divided into four main categories: wings, belly, tail, and landing gear. Wings generate lift and are found in two pieces, left and right. The fuselage is the central structure of the aircraft, carrying the pilot, passengers, and cargo, and connecting the wings and tail. The empennage contains the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, providing directional and stability control. The landing gear keeps the aircraft in contact with the ground during takeoff and landing.
Apart from these basic structural parts, control surfaces such as engine attachment points, flaps, ailerons and rudder also increase the performance and maneuverability of the aircraft.
What is an Aircraft Body Made Of?
The fuselage of an aircraft is approximately 50% It consists of materials such as fiber-reinforced composites (carbon fiber, glass fiber, etc.) , 20-40% aluminum alloys , 14-15% titanium ~14-15% , 7% steel and 7% plastic and cable .
What is a Spar Plane?
The spar is the main supporting element of an aircraft wing. This strong beam, which runs along the leading and trailing edges of the wing, maintains the wing's shape and transfers the loads generated during flight to the fuselage. The spar is critical to the strength and safety of aircraft wings.
What is an Aircraft Canopy?
A canopy is a transparent cabin cover that protects the pilot from external factors, typically in single- or double-seat aircraft . It provides an aerodynamic structure without obstructing the pilot's vision, improving flight safety. Canopies can be easily opened and closed or fitted with sliding designs.
What Does It Mean If The Plane Diverts?
A "divert" is when an aircraft is diverted to a different airport for an emergency or operational reason . This can occur due to poor weather conditions, technical malfunctions, fuel shortages, health emergencies, or airport traffic .
What is APU in Airplanes?
An APU stands for " Auxiliary Power Unit ," and it's a small engine that provides electrical power and compressed air to an aircraft before the aircraft's main engines are operating . The APU is primarily used on the ground to provide cabin power, start the engines, and air conditioning systems. In flight, it often serves as a backup power source.
Interesting Facts About Airplanes
Why Do Airplanes Leave Trails?
Aircraft leave a trail called a contrail when water vapor from the hot exhaust of their engines mixes with cold air at high altitudes. The sudden cooling causes the water vapor to condense into small water droplets, which quickly turn into ice crystals, creating visible white streaks in the sky.
Planes Leaving Trails in the Air What Kind of Planes?
Aircraft that leave their mark in the air are generally turbojet-powered aircraft at high altitudes, passenger aircraft in the cold and humid upper atmosphere, and military jets.
Why Are Planes White?
White reflects sunlight well, keeping the aircraft cooler during high-altitude flight. Cracks, leaks, and other damage are more easily detected. It also fades more slowly than other colors when exposed to UV rays, reducing the need for repainting. In short, using white is both a practical and technical choice for aircraft.
Why Do Planes Crashes?
According to a NASA study, 50-70% of plane crashes are caused by flight errors, decision-making errors, or failure to react to circumstances. Engine failures, structural issues, and maintenance errors account for 15-25%. Adverse weather conditions account for 10-15%, while human factors other than pilot error contribute to another 10-15%. Procedural errors account for 3-5%, while other factors account for less than 5%.
Why Don't Planes Fly Over Antarctica?
Aircraft rarely fly over Antarctica because the weather is extremely harsh and unpredictable, potentially compromising flight safety. ETOPS restrictions limit how far twin-engine aircraft can fly from suitable airports. Furthermore, the magnetic field in Antarctica can interfere with navigation systems, making flight difficult. Finally, the Antarctic Treaty implements strict environmental protocols and limits human activity, including air traffic, to protect the ecosystem.
What Happens If a Plane Is Struck by Lightning?
There's no problem because airplanes are built to handle lightning strikes. The aircraft's exterior, made of metals like aluminum, acts as a Faraday cage. This allows the electrical charge to flow outside the aircraft and escape safely without affecting the cabin or passengers.
Most aircraft are struck by lightning once or twice a year. The strike may cause minor cosmetic damage, such as small burn marks at entry and exit points. Critical systems such as avionics and engines are shielded and redundant, so lightning rarely affects safety or flight operations. Modern aircraft also have static discharge devices (static wicks) that help dissipate static electricity and reduce the risk of lightning strikes.
How to Land a Plane with No Landing Gear?
Aircraft without extended landing gear can safely land on a runway using an emergency procedure known as a belly landing. Pilots perform the landing by drifting the aircraft at low speed with the nose slightly up, preparing the passengers for evacuation. Runway length and emergency crews play a critical role in ensuring a safe landing. While belly landings can damage the aircraft, when managed correctly, they ensure passenger and crew safety.
Why Do Flights Get Delayed?
Airplanes require specific weather conditions for landing and takeoff. Extremely foggy, heavy rain, or strong winds can impact air traffic. Congested airports are also a major cause of flight delays.
What is the synonym for airplane?
The closest synonym for airplane is "Airplane," but that word is now obsolete. If you want to mean airplane in a broader sense, you might also consider "aircraft" or "aircraft."
What is the Use of a Hot Towel on a Plane?
The best answer to the question of why hot towels are provided on airplanes is for cleanliness, freshness, comfort, and to relieve dryness caused by the altitude. While short-lived, hot towels are an effective solution to dry skin.
What is the name given to the pilot cabin on airplanes?
The cockpit is the compartment from which pilots control the aircraft . It is the central location for all navigation and communication systems during flight.
What is the steering wheel of an airplane called?
The mechanism that controls the aircraft's direction is called the yoke or flight controller . Pilots use the yoke to adjust wing angles and direction.
When to Change Aircraft Tires?
Aircraft tires are replaced every 150 to 400 landings and takeoffs. Commercial aircraft tires are designed to withstand high pressure and loads and typically last an average of 200 to 250 landings. The timing of tire replacement also depends on the smoothness of landings, runway surface condition, temperature fluctuations, and braking intensity.
Why Are Curtains Opened When Landing?
The main reason curtains are opened during landing is to allow passengers and crew to see outside and allow their eyes to adjust to the light. In an emergency, open curtains help passengers adjust quickly to the environment. Cabin crew and emergency responders can better assess the outside conditions through the windows.
Why Are the Lights Turned Off During Takeoff?
During takeoff, aircraft dim their lights primarily to allow their eyes to adapt. If an emergency requires transitioning to a darker outdoor environment, passengers' eyes will have adjusted to the dim light beforehand. This allows them to adapt more quickly. Furthermore, temporarily turning off or dimming the lights helps conserve electrical energy during critical phases like takeoff and landing, when aircraft systems are at their most demanding.
Why Are Airplane Wings Washed with Ethyl Alcohol?
Ethanol can dissolve and remove dirt, oil, grease, and insect residue from wing surfaces without damaging aircraft paint or aluminum structures. It evaporates quickly and leaves no residue. It also acts as an effective deicer, lowering the freezing point and helping to melt ice and frost from wings before takeoff, crucial for safe flight performance.
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