43 pages 1 hour read

David McCullough

The Wright Brothers

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2015

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Index of Terms

Aileron

An aileron is a section on the back of an airplane wing that attaches to it with hinges and can move up and down. Coordinated movement of ailerons on both wings can control a plane’s roll and thus change its direction. Ailerons are an alternative system to the wing warping design that the Wright brothers used for lateral control.

Camber

In aeronautics, camber concerns the curvature of an airplane wing—specifically, the difference, or asymmetry, between the curvatures of the top and bottom of a wing. Camber determines the amount of lift that a wing produces, which is important for controlling a plane and keeping it airborne.

Drag

Drag, or air resistance, is the force on a plane as it moves through the air. Friction and other phenomena create drag, which exerts pressure and slows the plane. A more aerodynamic shape creates less drag.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 43 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools