Aircraft

Flying apparatus (FA) is the general name of a device (apparatus) for flights in the atmosphere or outer space.

Choice of criterion

Flight principle

The principle of flight is a concept that defines the category of basic physical laws adopted to describe the motion of a given flying object, in given flight conditions.

The principle of flight is determined by how and due to what the lift is created. Currently, the following flight principles are of technical importance, in which the lift is determined:

* aerostatic - by the Archimedean force, equal to the force of gravity of the air mass displaced by the body;

* aerodynamic - the lifting force is created through the force interaction of the aircraft moving through the air. Thus, the force of gravity is overcome due to the aerodynamic force, as a reaction force to throwing down a part of the air flowing around the bearing surfaces of the aircraft.

* inertial - by the force of inertia of a flying body due to the initial reserve of speed or height, therefore such a flight is also called passive;

* rocket-dynamic - by reactive force due to discarding part of the mass of the flying body. In accordance with the law of conservation of momentum of the system, motion arises when some part of its mass separates from the body at some speed;

In airless space, the aircraft can perform inertial flight or on other physical principles (for example, using a solar sail, on the area of ??which the stellar wind exerts pressure, or obtaining acceleration after a revolution between relatively massive planets by performing a gravitational maneuver (example: Voyager 2 Space Station) ...

Classification

This section may even contain original research.

Aircraft classifications are based on different principles. Further, we do not consider classifications, for example, by the type of engine used, or by the purpose of aircraft, which are essentially not classifications of the actual aircraft, but in fact classify engines, or the payload of aircraft, which can relate to almost any branch of technology, science and economic activity. Other classifications (consisting of only two subdivisions, for example, manned - unmanned) are also not considered and are not included in consequent list.

Here is the classification of aircraft according to the technical method of flight execution - movement in space without direct support on solid bodies or on a liquid medium. According to this method, aircraft are divided into:

1. Apparatus moving in the gravitational field of the Earth, in flight overcoming the force of its gravitation. By the method of creating a force that balances the force of gravity, these devices are divided into:

1.1. Aerostatic, or "lighter than air" vehicles, lifted into atmospheric flight by Archimedean force due to a cylinder (shell) filled with gas (including heated air), the density of which is lower than that of atmospheric air, or by using an evacuated shell (Vacuum airship). According to the mode of movement, these devices are divided into:

1.1.1. Balloons that do not have a means of purposeful movement in the horizontal plane and move in it in the wind.

1.1.2. Airships having an engine(s) and controls for targeted movement vertically (up or down) and in a horizontal plane.

1.2. Aerodynamic - devices supported in atmospheric flight by the aerodynamic lifting force arising from the rapid movement of the device itself or its parts in the air. Subdivided into:

1.2.1. Motor driven by an engine. Subdivided into:

1.2.1.1. Apparatus with active control of the boundary layer flow, such as EKIP, with a vortex flow control system in the boundary layer.

1.2.1.2. Uncontrolled boundary layer devices

1.2.1.2.1. Helicopters (helicopters), the lift of which is created by a propeller rotated by an engine around a vertical axis.

1.2.1.2.2. Winged vehicles, the lift of which is created due to the nonzero aerodynamic quality of the vehicle when it moves in the atmosphere. Subdivided into:

1.2.1.2.2.1. Winged vehicles with a fixed (relative to the apparatus) wing: airplanes, cruise missiles, ground-effect craft, ekranoplanes, motor hang-gliders, paramotors.

1.2.1.2.2.2. Winged vehicles with a movable wing. These include:

1.2.1.2.2.2.1. Autogyros, the wing of which rotates freely around the vertical axis under the influence of the incoming air in horizontal flight.

1.2.1.2.2.2.2. Flies, the wing of which, in addition to creating lift, performs the function of a propulsion device in horizontal flight.

1.2.1.2.3. Rotorcraft. Apparatus combining the method (1.2.1.2.1) when taking off from the ground and gaining altitude, like helicopters, with a method like apparatus with a wing fixed relative to the apparatus 1.2.1.2.2.1, in horizontal flight, developing a lift with a wing, like airplanes, when In this, the propeller, the axis of which rotates to a horizontal position, plays the role of a propulsion device in horizontal flight.

1.2.2. Non-motorized aerodynamic vehicles moving in the atmosphere with a gradual decrease under the combined effect of gravity and aerodynamic forces.

1.2.2.1. Gliders, hang gliders, Rigid wings, paragliders.

1.2.2.2. Parachutes.

1.2.2.3. Descent vehicles of spaceships.

1.3 Aircraft with aerostatic unloading are similar to many other methods of propagation, in which about 80% of the aircraft's lift is achieved by a helium cylinder, and the speed of up to 300 km / h is provided by sustainer engines.

1.4. Inertial. Moving in the Earth's gravitational field by inertia due to the speed imparted to them on the active part of the trajectory by the rocket engine. Subdivided into:

1.4.1. Warheads of ballistic missiles, moving along ballistic trajectories.

1.4.2. Artificial Earth satellites and orbiting space stations moving in outer space around the Earth in closed orbits.

1.5. Rocket - vehicles that overcome the force of gravity without interacting with the atmosphere, due to the thrust of the rocket engine directed vertically upward, or having a sufficient vertical component. This method of flight is used in the active leg of the trajectory by ballistic missiles and spacecraft launch vehicles.

1.6 Air cushion vehicles, held above ground or above water due to the increased air pressure created by the compressor between the bottom of the apparatus and a solid or water surface.