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Soaring Achievements

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How does an aircraft without an engine stay up in the air? What factors affect a glider's performance and how far it can travel? Scientific experiments with gliders have been carried out since the 1930’s, particularly with relation to design. Mathematical modelling is used to make and refine gliders that perform as well as possible. The 8 video tracks on this album describe some of the highly mathematical concepts used by pilots, such as glide angle, the ‘best speed to fly’, and the intricacies of competition flying. The principles of gliding are described with the help of 3D graphics and archive film. This material makes up part of the course MST209, Mathematical methods and models.

Language: English

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Soaring Achievements
Duration: 00:01:01
Date: 13.04.2010

Soaring Achievements
A short introduction to this album.

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Gliding - an Introduction
Duration: 00:01:27
Date: 11.05.2009

Gliding - an Introduction
A brief history of the sport of gliding- flying an airplane without an engine. What factors affect a glider's performance.

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Mathematical Modelling
Duration: 00:03:13
Date: 11.05.2009

Mathematical Modelling
The role of mathematical modelling in gliding, focusing on The British Overseas Nationals, a modern racing competition held in Le Blanc, France.

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A Lesson in Flying: Gliding Performance
Duration: 00:06:12
Date: 11.05.2009

A Lesson in Flying: Gliding Performance
Ann Welch explains how to actually fly a glider. The Rhonsperber and Primary gliders are compared, with relation to glide ratio.

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Clouds and Thermals
Duration: 00:02:02
Date: 11.05.2009

Clouds and Thermals
Ann Welch explains what a thermal is and why they are important in gliding.

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Performance Penalty: Speed
Duration: 00:03:07
Date: 11.05.2009

Performance Penalty: Speed
A test flight demonstrates the performance penalty associated with speed, and how the results are plotted to generate a polar curve.

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Design for Headwind
Duration: 00:03:52
Date: 11.05.2009

Design for Headwind
The materials used to build a glider, focusing on the weight of the wings and how this affects performance.

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Launching and Tracking
Duration: 00:02:42
Date: 11.05.2009

Launching and Tracking
Brian Spreckley explains how gliders in the British Overseas National will be tracked.

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The Art of Flying
Duration: 00:05:32
Date: 11.05.2009

The Art of Flying
The constant process of modelling whilst flying, focusing on lift and glide speed. Pilots at the British Overseas Nationals discuss their flight.

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