Soaring Achievements

Synopsis

Glider pilots often fly faster than powered aircraft and race round 500km circuits, just seconds apart. This programme examines the development of gliding from the 1930s to the present and explores some of the mathematical concepts used by pilots such as the ‘glide angle’ and ‘best speed to fly’. Illustrates the principles of gliding with the help of two early machines and two modern gliders, three-dimensional graphics and archive film. Concludes with an exploration of the intricacies of competition flying at Le Blanc in France.

Series

Mathematical Methods, Models and Modelling, Course Mst207

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 30 min.

Year of production

1999

Availability

Off-air recording licence
Sale; 2000 sale: £145.00 (+VAT +p&p)

Subjects

Mathematics

Keywords

applied mathematics; aviation; gliders

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk