Why? Files: Case Of The Challenging Flight

Creator: NASA Langley Research Center

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: In The Case of the Challenging Flight, the tree house detectives are onto a newcase as they try to win the Egg-tra-ordinary Plane Contest. They do not want to repeat their unsuccessful performance of years past, therefore, they decide that they need to build a better plane. The tree house detectives use their skills in scientific investigation to learn about the four forces of flight and then use their newfound knowledge as they design and construct a plane. As the tree house detectives actively pursue this challenge, they learn of other competitions in flight throughout history. They meet with General John (Jack)R. Dailey, director of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington,D.C. to learn more about the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, the race for space, and other contests of the past. As the tree house detectives endeavor to learn more about the four forces of flight: lift, thrust, drag, and weight, Dr. D, a retired science professor, guidesthem to seek help from NASA researchers. The tree house detectives receive a surprise visit from Jackie Chan, the human flying machine, who offers advice on how to attack a problem and the value of education. They are also invited as guests of the U.S. Navy to visit an aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt. They have a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they land and are catapulted off the flight deck of one of the world’s largest carriers.