Last Friday a small group of our Physics of Flight students got to take to the air in a Cessna 172, thanks to the South Otago Aeroclub and Mainland Air.

The students had been learning about a range of physics concepts in the classroom that explained aspects of flying such as the effect of air speed and pressure across the aerofoils, positive and negative G forces, banked turns and the role of torque when the plane pitches, rolls or yaws. This was their opportunity to apply this knowledge to the practical experience of flying in a light aircraft.

The students each got to spend approximately 25 minutes in the air and were taken over the High School and along the coast line. During the flight they experienced positive and negative Gs, and were talked through many facets of flying by their instructor, Jordan Kean. The lucky front passengers even got to fly the plane.

We are grateful to the excellent support the South Otago Aeroclub (SOAC) have given us over the years, and would like to thank Israel Win from SOAC, and Jordan Kean and Phil Kean from Mainland Air for making this event happen.

Mr Sly
TIC Physics