From time immemorial people have looked to the birds in envy, marveling at their ability to soar with ease through the skies above. Since man first harnessed the flight of birds the technology, for transportation and war, has been ever improving. “General Aviation,” celebrates the side of airplanes rarely seen. It dissects the mechanics of airplanes, highlights the creation of an aerospace plane, describes how civil aviation affects the American economy, and shows the ever changing design and engineering of the aircraft.
Included Films:
Putting Wings on Your Career
Putting Wings on Your Career
Produced: 1984
Length: 15 Minutes
“Putting Wings on Your Career,” is a look at what mechanics do for airlines and airports. It serves dually as an interesting vocational tribute to mechanics and is a step behind the scenes of what makes planes fly.
General Aviation: Fact or Fiction
General Aviation: Fact or Fiction
Produced: 1990
Length: 15 Minutes
“General Aviation: Fact or Fiction,” shows the importance of civil aviation to the American economy and points out common myths and misconceptions about general, or private, aviation.
Ice Formation on Aircraft
Ice Formation on Aircraft
Produced: 1960
Length: 21 Minutes
Ice formation is a real threat to the stability of an aircraft. A pilot must always be on guard against it and know how to fight it off. “Ice Formation on Aircraft,” points out the dangers of ice formation, like how ice forming on the tail of the craft can alter the shape of air foils, turbo-jet engine problems, Pitot tube icing, what factors into ice formation (temperature, moisture, altitude) and explains how knowledge can prevent a crash. Excellent animation and concise language paints a clear picture of the hazards of ice formation and the dangers of aviation.
New Directions In Flight
New Directions In Flight
Produced: 1978
Length: 13 Minutes
“New Directions In Flight,” shows the past of aviation engineering to document 1970s concerns. It shows how growing problems with spiraling costs and crowded skies produce a greater need for efficient aircraft and how these problems are revising priorities in aviation research.
National Aerospace Plane
National Aerospace Plane
Produced: 1990s
Length: 3 Minutes
This film documents the creation of the National Aerospace plane by engineering students at Virginia Tech. The film shows plane construction in the hangar and the presentation of the final plane design. Also included in the footage is the transporting of the plane in a C-5 to a Paris airshow. Interesting animations of the Aerospace plane flying through space also featured.
