Fun answers to your kid's flying questions | POWERUP for kids
If your kids are into flying, airplanes, or the new Top Gun movie, they may love to learn how to build a paper airplane. And, if all goes well, they’ll soon have many questions for you—about flying, about airplanes, and maybe about the new Top Gun movie.
Here are some cool prep answers for parents and educators that will enable them to stimulate young minds with cool information that guides curiosity forward. More and more evidence of the power of curiosity in young minds shows that it is something adults should do all they can to stimulate and encourage.
Top kid’s questions about flying
How fast do planes go?
Usually around 500 miles per hour. This is the average speed. But some planes go way faster, others go slower.
How big is the biggest plane?
The biggest plane is the Antonov An-225. It’s about as long as a football field and has a wingspan of 290 feet.
How small is the smallest plane?
The smallest plane is the Bede BD-5. Its wingspan is about 16 feet.
What’s the fastest plane ever?
The fastest plane is the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. It can fly at 1,354 miles per hour. That means it can go from from New York to England in about 3 hours! (A typical commercial plane would take over 7 hours).
How far can planes go?
Most commercial planes can fly for about 12 hours. That’s about 5,500 miles. But the new Airbus A350 can fly for 16 hours! That’s about 8,700 miles.
How many engines does a plane have?
It depends on the size of the plane. Smaller planes usually have one or two engines. Bigger planes have four engines.
What is turbulence?
Turbulence is when the air gets bumpy. It’s caused by different layers of air moving at different speeds. Planes usually hit some turbulence when they’re taking off or landing because there is a lot of
How do planes take off?
The plane has to be going really fast to take off. The engines help the plane go faster by blowing air backwards. This pushes the plane forwards. When the plane is going fast enough, it lifts off the ground and into the air.
Why do planes tilt when they turn?
When a plane turns, it tilts because the wings are tilted. The wings are tilted because they have lift. Lift is what keeps the plane in the air. When the plane tilts, it makes a turn.
What is that black stuff that comes out of the back of a plane?
That’s called exhaust. It comes from the engine and it’s full of carbon dioxide and water vapor.
What kind of engine do planes have?
Planes usually have jet engines. That’s because jet engines are really good at making a lot of thrust. Thrust is what helps the plane go fast.
Why do pilots say “Mayday” when they are in trouble?
“Mayday” is an international distress signal. It means that the person is in danger and needs help right away.
What are jets?
Jets are a type of engine. They work by taking in air and squishing it together. This makes the air hot. Then, the hot air is pushed backwards really fast. This pushes the plane forwards.
What is the difference between a jet engine and a propeller?
A jet engine works by taking in air and squishing it together. This makes the air hot. Then, the hot air is pushed backwards really fast. This pushes the plane forwards.
A propeller works by taking in air and pushing it backwards. This pushes the plane forwards.
How do planes fly?
Planes fly because of lift. Lift is created when the wings of the plane push down on the air. The air then pushes
How much do planes weigh?
It depends on the size of the plane. A small plane might weigh 3,000 pounds. But a big plane can weigh up to 1 million pounds!
Can planes go into outer space?
Usually, rockets are what go into outer space. Maybe one day planes will be able to go into outer space.
How many people can fit on a plane?
It depends on the size of the plane. A small plane might seat 10 people. But a big plane can seat more than 400 people!
What is the cockpit?
The cockpit is where the pilot sits. The pilot is the person who flies the plane.
What are those things that come down from the bottom of the plane during takeoff?
Those are called flaps and slats. They help make sure that the plane has enough lift when it takes off.
Why do planes have two wings?
The two wings help create lift. Lift is what keeps the plane in the air.
Can I learn to fly?
Yes. Absolutely. Some of the coolest pilots ever started exactly where you are - if you want to fly, you will fly.
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If your kid or student is interested in learning about some of history's coolest aviators and coolest planes check out these kid-friendly resources: