Introduction To Aviation

The Emergence Of Jet Aviation

 

 

The Emergence Of Jet Aviation

    The jet engine was invented by Frank Whittle in 1930, but the first turbojet-powered aircraft, the Heinkel 178, was German-made and flew on 27 August, 1939.
    The first production jet fighter was also German, the Messerschmitts Me 262, and flew in June, 1942. This was powered by two turbojets and capable of a top speed of 864 km/hr(540 mph). The first British-built jet was the Gloster Meteor, and flew in March 1943, while the Lockheed Shooting Star was America's first jet.
    The pilots of the World War II, who flew propellor planes, had one major complaint to make very often during flight. When the flew the fastest and then went in a diving action, their planes gained more speed, and nearly reached the speed of sound. However at these speed, the plane used to rattle and shake violently, often making the pilot lose control. This was dubbed by scientists as the "Sonic Barrier" and many felt it was impossible to over come this. They thought that the maximum speed attainable by a plane was only uptil the speed of sound. They were very much wrong.




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