airplanes that can repair themselves

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY


Complete the text below using the synonyms of the words which are in the parenthesis.

Airplanes get old, and over time their skins can develop tiny holes and cracks. Mechanics are good at (1) _______________ (observe, see) these problems during regular maintenance checks, but a technique developed in Britain that mimics natural healing could allow airplanes to repair themselves.

Researchers at the Engineering and Sciences Research Council are developing composite materials that "bleed" resin when stressed or damaged, effectively creating a "scab" that fixes the damage. It’s an (2) ________________ (novelty) that could drastically (3) _____________ (make it better) air safety, foster the development of lighter aircraft and bring biomimicry to aviation.

"This project represents just the first step", says Dr. Ian Bond, the aerospace professor leading the research. "We’re also developing systems where the healing agent isn’t contained in (4) ____________________ (particular, singular) glass fibers but actually moves around as part of a fully integrated vascular network, just like the circulatory systems found in animals and plants. Such a system could have its healing agent refilled or (5) ____________ (substitute, supplant) and could repeatedly heal a structure throughout its lifetime.________________ (6) (moreover), it offers potential for developing other biological-type functions in man-made structures, such as controlling temperature or distributing energy sources".

Think about the body’s healing process and the technology behind self-healing plastics is easy to grasp.

When we cut ourselves, sticky cells called platelets clump together near the (7) ______________ (injure) to create a plug that stops the bleeding and begins the healing. The principle behind the self-healing plastic Bond has developed at University of Bristol technique is remarkably (8) ___________________________ (like, analogous).

The composite material is made from hollow fibers filled with epoxy resin. When a hole or crack appears, the resin leaks out and (9) _____________ (close, secure) the break and returns it to 80 to 90 percent of its original strength. The epoxy is colored, making it easy for mechanics to spot the repairs and make a permanent fix. (10) ______________ (little, small) damage incurred during flight (and we’re talking a tiny tear or crack, not a gaping hole), would be fixed in the time that it takes a small cut to stop bleeding.

“This approach can deal with small-scale damage that’s not obvious to the naked eye but which might lead to serious (11) ________________ (problems) in structural integrity if it escapes attention,” Bond says. “It’s intended to complement rather than replace conventional inspection and maintenance routines, which can readily pick up larger-scale damage, caused by a bird strike, for example.”

Self-healing would improve the overall (12) _______________ (dependability) and safety of fiber-reinforced polymers, making them a more acceptable alternative to aluminum. That would bring lighter - and more fuel efficient, therefore less polluting - airplanes, automobiles and spacecraft. The researchers believe the technology could be commercially adopted in about four years.

Photo of F-117A Nighthawk fighter by Flickr user James Gordon.

ANSWERS

1.spotting/2.innovation/3.improve/4.individual/5.replaced/6.In addition to this/7.wound/8.similar/9.seals/10.slight/11.problems/12.reliability

WALK AROUND

The walk-around is a standard inspection procedure that all good pilots follow before taking off in their airplanes - from a small ultra light to a jetliner. It consists of a regular walk around the airplane before takeoff, during which you check for any flaws or faults in your aircraft.
The usual procedure is to start inside the cockpit, and walk counter-clockwise around the aircraft, checking all windows, latches, protrusions, control surfaces, and generally checking the condition of the plane itself.

These checks will include such things as checking the overall aircraft structure, checking that the air vents and pitot tube are free from obstruction, checking the tires for signs of wear and tyre - creep, checking the propeller for any sign of damage or wear, checking the linkages on all moveable surfaces for signs of wear or breakage, and checking the levels of engine oil and fuel.
If the pilot is satisfied that he/she is ready for flight and that the aircraft is serviceable and prepared then there additional checks to be carried out depending upon the type of flight to be undertaken. For example, does the aircraft contain the necessary emergency equipment needed for flights over remote areas or over water?

STRUCTURE : THE PASSIVE VOICE - By Cybele Gallo

We use the PASSIVE VOICE when we are interested in what happens, not who it happens to.


EXAMPLE : The brakes are operated by the pedals .

Activity 1 : Join the sentences in column 1-13 with the ones in column a-m .

1.We need to replace the tyres

2.The foward part of the fuselage

3.The new Boeing

4.Antennas

5.This plane must be grounded

6.A tow bar

7.The walk around

8.The plane

9.The elevator

10.The ailerons and elevators

11.The ATIS

12.Flammable materials

13.The throttle lever

a. was hit by a flock of birds

b.are prohibited on board

c.is cracked

d.are usually attached to the fuselage

e. is made of composite material

f.is usually carried out by the co -pilot

g.is used for pulling the plane

h.they are worn

i.is broadcasted in English and in Portuguese

j.is pushed foward to give maximun engine power

k.is hinged to the trailing edge

l.was damaged by a catering truck

m.are operated using the control column

answers: 1-h/2-L/3-e/4-d/5-c/6-g/7-f/8-a/9-k/10-m/11-I/12-b/13-j)

Activity 2 : The sentences below refer to some parts of the Cessna 172 that must be checked during the walk around. Complete them with a suitable verb in the Passive Voice. Use only VERBS.

After completing the sentences, follow the link below to watch the CESSNA 172 walk around video and check your answers :

http://www.videotv.ie/Aviation/afcC172WalkAround.php

During the walk around the pilot must check if:

a.the navigation lights are_______________________ .
b.the pilot tubes are ___________________________.
c.the hinges are not ______________________ or ____________________ .
d.all electrical equipment is _______________________________________ .
e.the baggage door is _____________________________ and __________ .
f.the tyres are _____________________________________________ .
g.the wing surfaces are ______________________________________.
h.elevator trim tab is ________________________________________.

answers: lit/unblocked/cracked or damaged/turned off/closed and locked/inflated/dented/deflected up and down

aviation quizz

This quiz tests your knowledge of rules, signs, and aviation phraseology. This quiz is not difficult but if you read this guide you should get most of the answers correct.

1) A controller who says "go ahead" means:
a. proceed as requested.
b. continue straight ahead.
c. state your message.

2) The red and white sign next to the taxiway is called a runway hold position sign. If you are next to this sign, it means:

a. that you are about to go onto the protected area next to the runway.
b. that you should follow the sign to get to the parking apron.
c. nothing to me, it's only there for the pilot's use.

3) Two solid yellow stripes followed by two broken yellow stripes is the marking for a runway hold line.

A hold line means:
a. all aircraft must stop and be cleared before going onto the runway.
b. everyone, including vehicles, must stop unless authorized to proceed onto the runway.
c. that you are about to go next to some electronic signal equipment.

4) Runway markings are:

a. white.
b. yellow.
c. red.

5) Taxiway marking are:

a. white.
b. yellow.
c. red.

6) A "controlled" airport is one that has an operating airport traffic control tower.

a. True
b. False

7) FOD is caused by:

a. bad weather conditions.
b. the airport manager.
c. trash and debris.

8) If I have to cross a runway, I should try to do so:

a. at the end.
b. in the middle.
c. wherever I want.

9) If the air traffic controller signals me with a flashing red light, I should:

a. stop.
b. clear the runway or taxiway.
c. ignore the signal as it is for aircraft only.

10) If the air traffic controller signals me with a steady red light, I should:

a. stop.
b. clear the runway or taxiway.
c. ignore the signal as it is for aircraft only.

11) Traffic patterns are used at controlled airports (those with towers) only.
a. True
b. False

12) When driving in the area immediately behind a large jet aircraft with its engines running, a driver should:

a. not be concerned about danger from the jet blast because a typical car/van is too heavy to be affected.
b. stop or stay well back and not proceed behind the aircraft until air traffic control has confirmed the
aircraft is at idle power.
c. cross the area of jet blast at a perpendicular angle to minimize the hazard.

13) Unless contrary instructions have been received from air traffic control, a vehicle should always yield to an aircraft.

a. True
b. False

14) If, at a nontowered airport, you see an aircraft approaching the runway to land when you are waiting to cross the same runway, you should:

a. hold short of the runway until the aircraft is past the point at which you will cross the runway then proceed when it is safe.
b. proceed across if the aircraft has not announced its position on the UNICOM frequency.
c. contact the pilot by radio and see if he or she intends to make a touch and go landing.
d. flash your headlights at the aircraft.

15) An aircraft that has announced its position on the UNICOM frequency as "downwind" at the nontowered airport on which you are driving, is flying:

a. perpendicular to the runway after initial climb and turn.
b. parallel to the runway in the direction opposite landing.
c. an approach to land with the wind instead of into the wind.
d. too fast to spot until the aircraft slows down to land.

16) If a controller gives you permission to do something which appears unsafe:
a. you must comply or face disciplinary action.
b. you should comply and then call your supervisor as soon as practicable.
c. you should tell the controller your concerns and get clarification before proceeding.
d. flash your headlights and proceed.

17) Aircraft usually land and takeoff:

a. into the wind.
b. with the wind at their back.

18) An aircraft that has announced its position as "short final" is:
a. nearing the runway threshold for landing.
b. about to make the last landing for the day.
c. well outside of the airport traffic pattern.

19) A touch and go landing involves:
a. a landing without bouncing.
b. a landing followed by immediate application of power to takeoff again without bringing the aircraft to a stop.

c. a lot of skill.
d. aircraft flying in formation.

20) Which of the following will make driving on an airport more difficult?
a. snow and ice.
b. night driving.
c. congested ATC frequencies.
d. all of the above.

21) An aircraft that has announced its position on the UNICOM frequency as "base leg" at the nontowered airport on which you are driving, is flying:

a. perpendicular to the runway after initial climb and turn.
b. parallel to the runway in the direction opposite landing.
c. perpendicular to the runway about to turn final and land.
d. with a pilot at the controls whose foot is asleep.





ANSWERS: 1.c, 2.a, 3.b, 4.a, 5.b, 6.a, 7.c, 8.a, 9.b, 10.a, 11.b, 12.b, 13.a, 14.a, 15.b, 16.c, 17.a, 18.a, 19.b, 20.d, 21.c

A 380 collision

Ground collisions
By Cybele Gallo

FLUENCY

1. What can cause collisions on the ground?
2. What are the procedures to prevent them?

You will read an article about a recent incident at JFK airport. Take a look at the picture below.

First, describe it. Then, tell me what do you think might have happened there.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Describing Pictures

This picture shows....

This is a picture of....

We've got a picture here of....

Talking about possibilities

It could be……..

It might have happened ……

Maybe……/Probably


3. Read the article

A 380 Hits RJ At JFK

By Glenn Pew, Contributing Editor, Video Editor

All the usual agencies are now fully engaged in the investigation of the wing-tip-to-tail collision of an Air France A380 and a Comair CRJ 700 at Kennedy Airport in New York Monday evening. The likely focus of the investigation will be the position of the RJ and who decided it should be there. Judging by the departing A380's brisk pace down the taxiway, the crew evidently didn't anticipate any interference on the way to the runway. The Comair flight had just arrived from Boston and was stationary. What happened next is one of the reasons passengers are supposed to keep their seatbelts on until the ground crew person crosses his or her arms.
The A380 looked to be traveling at least 20 mph when the left wing tip hit the tail of the RJ. The impact spun the smaller jet nearly 90 degrees and rocked the plane from side to side. No major injuries were reported due to the collision. Photos show a torn up wing tip on the A380 but the RJ is likely in for a thorough inspection.

4. Based on the article you have just read, answer these questions :

a. What will the investigators probably be interested in finding out?
b. What makes the investigators believe that the A 380 could not imagine there could be another plane on the way?
c. What is the advice given to passengers in the text and why?

Vocabulary

5. Go back to the text and find the words related to :

a. Rapid ____________________
b. Not moving ________________
c. Rotated ___________________
d. Approximately ______________
e. Pulled apart to pieces _________
f. Probable, probably ___________

Check your answers :

a.brisk/b.stationary/c.spun (simple past of spin)/d.nearly/e.torn up (past participle of tear up)/ f.likely

STRUCTURE

Take a look at the sentence below:

“…passengers are supposed to keep their seatbelts on until the plane has stopped completely”

The highlighted words can be replaced by :

( ) must
( ) need to
( ) can
( ) should

Check your answer:

To be supposed to + Infinitive = should

Supposed to in this sense means that something should be done because it is the law, the rule or the custom.

Practice
Write down 03 things pilots should do to maneuver the aircraft safely on the ground. Use “… supposed to “.
1.____________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________

Pronunciation Tip

When you are practicing these examples in speech, note that the final d in supposed to is not pronounced. It is pronounced as 'suppose to', but should always be written in its correct form grammatically as supposed to.

COMPREHENSION

Listen to the conversations between the controller and pilots at the time of this incident. As you listen , fill in the blanks with the missing words:

Pilot Comair: Comair 553 (inaudible)just hit us at (runway) Mike
ATC: Attention all ___________________ _______________ respond call 32 taxiway alpha and mike
Pilot: (inaudible) all emergency trucks on Mike _____________________________ by an Air France
ATC: And who is that?
Pilot: Comair 553
ATC: Again all emergency equipment call 33taxiway Mike and Aplha
ATC: Super a 380 I understand he believes he _________________________ and I understand they ____________________________ the regional jet.
ATC: Air France 7 super the emergency equipment requests that you _____________________________________
Air France : all the engines confirm
ATC: Confirm. They want you to shut the engines.
Air France : ok