Tech Directions - April 2008 - (Page 17)

Thomson (2006) states: “A streamlined design to radically reduce noise could make tomorrow’s commercial aircraft easier on the ears. Not only will passengers feel more comfortable in flight, but the neighbors of busy airports, too, will be less disturbed by landings and takeoffs. The “silent plane” would be a flying-wing type of craft, with engine mounted on top to direct sound away from the ground and reduce drag. In one proposed model, the cabin would also be windowless, further absorbing noise” (p. 2). Marsh (2000) predicts that safety should improve drastically as a result of future improvements in airframes, engines, and avionics. He thinks that 60 years from now aircraft will recover on their own if the pilot loses control (Future Aviation section, para. 6). Coburn (2003) describes a hypothetical future aircraft called the HyperSoar: “The HyperSoar is a concept for a craft flying at 10 times the speed of sound and able to reach any point on the globe within two hours. Hydrogen powered, it would use air-breathing, rocket-based engines to ascend to the outer limits of the Earth’s atmosphere where it would skitter in and out of the atmosphere like a stone being skimmed across the surface of a pond. If it works, the craft would also make access to space a great deal cheaper. Today, HyperSoar is little more than an idea. Even if an unmanned prototype is developed, passenger flight at this speed is a long way off, and likely to come long after any military application” (p. 114). Propulsion is the area in which most evolutionary progress has been made in the last few decades and will continue to improve the economics of aircraft. Very highefficiency, unbelievably large turbines continue to evolve, while lowcost small turbine engines may well revolutionize small aircraft design in the next 20 years. Interest in very clean, low-noise engines is growing for aircraft ranging from commuters and regional jets to supersonic transports (Kroo, 2006, Future Aircraft Types section, para. 3). According to Ward, “An attempt by the U.S. space agency NASA to launch the world’s fastest plane has ended in failure. But quicker, cheaper space planes could eventually become a reality” (Ward, 2001, Future of Flight section, para. 2). Today, the vision of quieter and more environmentally friendly flying has come a step closer as researchers from Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology unveiled their revolutionary concept for a silent aircraft. This aircraft is designed in a way that reduces as much sound as possible and uses around 25 percent less fuel in a typical flight compared with current aircraft (Murphy, 2006, Silent Aircraft section, para. 1). Satellite navigation will improve the efficiency and capacity of the national airspace system by allowing approaches that minimize noise, offer greater access to all runways in all weather conditions, and provide more safety than ever before. For this to be possible, the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) need to combine new technologies and replace the current Interdisciplinary Learning and Standards This activity has the potential to support interdisciplinary learning experiences and several state and national standards. Since state standards vary considerably, only national standards have been identified. English Language Arts (www.ncte.org/about/over/ standards/110846.htm) Standard 5—Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes. Standard 7—Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and nonprint texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience. Standard 12—Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information). International Technology Education Association (www.iteaconnect.org/TAA/PDFs/ Benchmarks.pdf) Standard 6—Students will develop an understanding of the role of society in the development and use of technology. Standard 7—Students will develop an understanding of the influence of technology on history. Standard 9—Students will develop an understanding of engineering design. Standard 10—Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem solving. Standard 11—Students will develop the abilities to apply the design process. Standard 12—Students will develop the abilities to use and maintain technological products and systems. Standard 18—Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use transportation technologies. National Science Education Content Standards (http://books.nap.edu/readingroom/ books/nses/html/6c.html) Standard B—Physical Science—As a result of the activities in grades K-4, all students should develop an understanding of (1) properties of objects and materials and (2) position and motion of objects. Standard E—Science and Technology—As a result of activities in grades K–4, all students should develop (1) abilities of technological design and (2) understanding about science and technology. www.techdirections.com TRANSPORTATION 17 http://www.ncte.org/about/over/standards/110846.htm http://books.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/6c.html http://books.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/6c.html http://www.iteaconnect.org/TAA/PDFs/Benchmarks.pdf http://www.iteaconnect.org/TAA/PDFs/Benchmarks.pdf http://www.techdirections.com

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Tech Directions - April 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology's Past Technology Today Mastering Computers A Bridge to the Future Aeronautics Study Takes Off! Glider Design for Beginners Project Engineer in the Heavy Construction Industry for Renewable Energy Annual Buyers' Guide More than Fun

Tech Directions - April 2008

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