The science behind human flight: Why we do not fly in the skies
Paths and obstacles of the human ambition to fly
The concept of flying has captured the imagination of mankind for centuries.
From the figure of Icarus in Greek mythology to Leonardo da Vinci’s designs for flying machines to modern superheroes, the idea of flying through the skies like birds has always captured our imagination.
Despite our endeavours and advances in technology, human beings continue to be ground-bound.
We will look at the science behind why humans are unable to fly autonomously without mechanical instruments and delve into some of the physical principles that hinder our take-off.
Absence of essential physical structures: Birds naturally possess a number of characteristics that facilitate smooth flight, such as light bodies, powerful thorax muscles and large wings commensurate with their size, adequate to overcome gravity and sustain prolonged flight.
Gravity and lift: Flight is based on balancing 2 main forces, gravity and lift. Birds generate lift thanks to their wings, which have a special shape designed to optimise the flow of air and pressure variations above and below their surfaces. This phenomenon produces an adequate lift force to oppose gravity and lift the birds into flight.
Mechanical solutions: Despite our biological constraints, mankind has developed various technologies to enable us to fly. Planes, helicopters, hot air balloons and gliders employ various physical principles to produce lift and ensure controlled flight. Thanks to the power of engines, aerodynamics and the principle of buoyancy, humans can experience the thrill of flight, overcoming our natural inability to do so autonomously.
Conclusion
Although we never managed to reach the level of mastery of unassisted flight like birds and insects, our curiosity and innovation drove us to create incredible machines capable of exploring the skies.