Assembling out take-a-part Plane Scenario
Goals: To compliment the Family Sunday programming by offering a broader choice of educational activities for children.
Objectives: To offer children ages 5 to 10 an interactive bilingual presentation, that teaches them the main aircraft parts name and their general function. The children will also learn about the wing structure and the materials used to build the old fashion wooden aircraft.
In Museum Promotion: Public is informed of activity by the schedule that is given at the front cash when visitors come in. A sign indicating scheduled times of presentation is place at the activity location as of opening hours. An announcement is made on the loud speaker inviting children to gather and meet their guide.
Duration: approx. 45 minutes
Location: temporary exhibit space in front of Cessna 150
Set up: The assembled plane is placed diagonally with wooden benches in front of it in audience style. Wooden fencing is placed all around closing access and signage is placed in plain view announcing presentation times offered. A small model aircraft is also store in the seat to be used as a prop.
Presentation Techniques: By asking members of the audience questions and providing clues for them to find the answers with, will keep their attention focussed. Asking for a different audience member to help out on several occasion will also entice them to answer the questions correctly and promote interest. Make sure you are facing the audience when speaking so that your voice is projected loud clearly. Eye contact and facial expressions will enhance the presentation and contribute to better program content absorption. Assure at all times that the audience member’s safety is never compromised and the aircraft parts are not abused.
General idea:
The take-apart plane assembled, show the basic parts of a plane (wings, propellor, fuselage, cockpit, landing gear...) by pointing them out and taking the plane apart as you go along, explaining what they are used for. Once the wings and tail pieces have been removed, pick volunteers to be “mechanics” and help put the plane back together on section at a time.
A suggested presentation
Introduction :
Introduce yourself and tell the audience that you are planning to take a part this plane and you will require some assistance to have it put back together again. Don’t forget to tell them that although it is not an exact copy of any particular aircraft model, this replica is modelled from an older aircraft, and that today they are mostly made of steal of composites.
Question: Ask the children what materials were used to construct this airplane replica?
Answer: Wood that right!
Question: What would be used to cover the wings?
Answer: Cloth, (show them the sample of linen cloth you can also let them touch it). Explain how the cloth is sown using a curved needle ( show needles- no touching).
The linen cloth covers the ribs in the wing these are the ribs (Point to the ribs)
Question: Ask them what would happen if this cloth was use as is to cover the wing and it started to rain?
Answer: It would get water logged, get heavy and would loose it’s lift.
Question: What would they use to make the cloth water proof?
Answer: Special paint called dope paint. (Show sample. And pass it around)
The wings
Remove one wing
Question : Why does this wing have a thicker edge than the other?
Answer: to give it more lift. It’s called the leading edge because it leads into the wind at the front of the wing. The back part of the wing is called the trailing edge.
Optional according to audience age level.
Question: Can anyone tell me how does the thicker edge create more lift?
Answer: The curved bump on the wing makes the air, which travels over the wing, go faster creating a low pressure which give a vacuum effectsucking up the wing and creating lift.
Show them by blowing over a curbed piece of paper. It will automatically rise
Remove the second wing
Questions: Who can tell me what is the strongest part of the wing.
Answer: The cross spars! They go from one wing tip to the other and holds them together.
Remove the cross spars
The engine Area
Taking off the propeller
Question: What is this called?
Answer: The propeller
Question: What makes it turn?
Answer: The engine and “it” sits on the engine mount which holds it up.
Optional according to audience age level.
Question: What are these? (Pointing to the cylinders) and how many do you see?
Answer: 8 cylinders that’s right!
Question: What is inside the cylinders
Answers: Pistons
Explain that the gas line feeds gasoline into the cylinder, the spark plug on top create a spark which ignites the gas causing a small explosion sending the piston down move the cylinder. This happens over and over make the crank shaft turn in turn turning the propeller very fast.
“See how the cylinder are in a V shape this would be a V8 engine. Our Cessna across the way is a 4 cylinder in line100 HP engine.”
The Tail Section:
Taking Off the Rudder
Question: Can you tell me what this is called and what is it used for ?
Answer: The Rudder, it gives direction when on the ground and yaws (makes the nose of the plane point left or right) the aircraft in flight. (Show with your hand the yaw movement)
Remove the elevators
Question: What are these called and what are they used for? I will give you a clue what do you take to go up several floors in a sky scraper (big building)?
Answer: The elevators that’s right! When the elevators are up the wind hits them and pushes the tail down making the nose go up! When they are down the opposite happens.
This is the vertical stabilizer (Taking the vertical stabilizer off)
Question: If that’s the vertical stabilizer then this is the (show and remove the horizontal stabilizer ...... Stabilizer?
Answer: Horizontal stabilizer very good!
Question: Who can tell what the body of the aircraft is called?
Answer: The Fuselage!
Question: What about these wheels what do we call those?
Answer: The landing gear!
Re-assembling the aircraft
Ok now let’s see if you can help me put it all back together and remember the names.
Beginning with the wings, take piece by piece asking children the names and getting one or two kids up at a time to help you assemble the plane and naming the parts correctly. Once the aircraft is completely reassembled, congratulate your young mechanics and thank them for their kind help. Tell them they have just completed their first crash course in aircraft assembly.
Record the attendance in the stats sheet binder and don’t forget to secure the area before leaving to your next scheduled activity.
Should an adult member from the audience ask about home built aircraft, you can refer them to Ottawa’s chapter of the E.A.A. (Experimental Aircraft Association).
Material Check List:
-Stats sheet binder and pen
-A small model of an aircraft.
-Laminated bilingual signage indicating times of presentation
-Sample of linen cloth
-Threaded curbed sewing needle
-Sample of linen cloth painted with dope paint.
- 8.5 x 11 sheet of plain paper
- Signage and easel
- Take apart Plane
- wooden fencing cart
- Benches from the Cessna area.
Please ensure that all prop materials are all put away neatly at the end of the day and that all stats are entered on the computer.