Last week students in the Ignite Program travelled to iFLY in Penrith. The purpose of the trip was to learn about the physics and science behind flight and aerodynamics. We learnt about all 3 of Newton’s laws, how certain body positions affect how you fly and move up and down in the wind tunnel, the effect of surface area on lift and much more. If you stand upright in the wind tunnel the wind would easily move around you and there would be less area for you to catch wind, but if you lie on your belly with hands pointing out that increases the surface area the wind touches thus making it easier for you to lift up in the air. The concept of terminal velocity was also talked about with us. Terminal velocity is the maximum velocity you can have for a falling object.

The history of flight was also discussed from the greek mythology of Icarus who thought he could fly, to Leonardo da Vinci's sketches of flying machines to the first wind tunnels used to the invention of planes and eventually to the invention of indoor skydiving. We also learnt details about how the building generates the fast-moving air for the tunnel. Basically, the tunnel is in the middle and at the top of the building, there was a large fan that generates fast-moving wind and the wind travels through the sides of the building and is directed towards the bottom.

We also learned about the Bernoulli principle which simply states that if you have a gas or liquid that is moving out of a hole and if you make that hole thinner the pressure increases. This principle was used by the building to allow large air pressure to enter the tunnel to lift someone up.

The highlight of the day was spending time 'flying' in the wind tunnel. We put on special suits that are baggy which allows more surface area for the wind to touch and thus more air resistance and thus more lift. We also had to put in ear plugs so our ears wouldn't get harmed and also wear goggles and a tight helmet for more safety. When I entered the wind tunnel, I couldn’t hear anything except for the wind. It didn’t really feel like zero gravity because I could feel the wind pounding into my body. It was amazing to be lifted up only by the wind.

Overall I had a fun and educational experience that won't be forgotten. I highly recommend this for people to do if they can.

Brandon Smith (Yr 7)