Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Fall From the Sky.”

~ John W. Howell

Stream of Consciousness

 

It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “fall from the sky.” Yup this is it. To quote Linda Hill, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “fall from the sky.” Write about anything that falls from the sky–real, imagined, or idiomatic. Have fun!” Humm I have to think about this prompt for a minute. Want to rid my mind of Chicken Little who thought the whole sky was coming down. I don’t think that’s what Linda had in mind. If you would like to deal with this kind of quandary, visit Linda’s blog and read how simple it is to fall off the end of the Earth. Here is the link.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 4/19

Fall From the Sky by John W. Howell © 2018

“You look confused.”

“I’m up in the air about my travel plans.”

“What are you talking about? You’ve been planning a trip to Paris for years.”

“I know. It’s not the destination that bothers me.”

“The timing then?”

“No. Spring in Paris is perfect.”

“Where to stay?”

“All set. I have reservations.”

“I give up. Can’t imagine what you are doubtful about.”

“The flight.”

“Yeah, that nine-hour stint can be boring.”

“It’s not the time in the air that has me wondering.”

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t really understand what keeps a heavy 767 300 up in the air.”

“Oh. Piece of cake. It’s lift.”

“Lift?”

“Yes, the difference in air pressure rushing across the top curve of the wing from the bottom. It’s all physics.”

“I don’t get that. I just imagine the thing falling from the sky.”

“Now why would you think that?”

“Look how big and heavy those things are.”

“Here let me make an airplane out of this paper. When I throw it the forward momentum causes the air to be displaced above the wing. Since nature abhors a vacuum the lower part of the plane rises to fill in. See it flies.”

“Yeah but that is a paper airplane. It’s light.”

“What do you think would happen if I put this paper clip on the airplane?”

“I have no idea.”

“See the plane falls from the sky so to speak.”

“Making my point exactly.”

“But what if I make the wings bigger.”

“So there is more area being displaced?”

“Yup. There you have it. The plane flies”

“So it’s the wings that keep it up in the air.”

“That’s why your Boeing 767 300 has such big wings. It is all calculated as to how much wing it takes to lift that mother.”

“So as long as the wings are there all is good.”

“You got it.”

“What if they fall off.”

“Then the whole thing falls from the sky.”

“Back to my point.”

“How about I take the trip for you?”

 

70 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “Fall From the Sky.””

  3. Unless you’re a fan of physics, it’s best not to think about these things. Put your seat back, but an over-priced undersized cocktail and relax.

    Great job, John. On the prompt and the lift lesson.

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  8. “Look how big and heavy those things are.”

    Yeah, and to compensate for that, all they serve for meals is those little packs of crackers. You have to pay for first class to get peanuts.

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  10. Glad she got it all figured out for you. We all have to suspend some disbelief when we get on a plane, even knowing the physics will (almost always) keep it in the air.

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  16. It’s best not to think of those things before flying…lol. I’m more worried about climbing over the sleeping man every couple of hours on the flight:)

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  18. I prefer not to think about those things and just sit in awe that these behemoths can fly. I prefer not to think about wings falling off, if you don’t mind!

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  19. It doesn’t matter how many times someone explains the science of airplanes, I still struggle with the idea of gigantic metal things hurtling through the sky.

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        2. Hubby says Cessna is low and slow, but the Comanche is a hot rod. Why was this a mistake? Apologies if I am asking something inappropriate, John. 35 years ago I was starting my teaching job here in New England. Hubby had retired from the Navy, having flown F-4 Phantoms. His brother-in-law had a Piper Comanche. Son is a F-18 guy. I guess flying is in the family. Sometimes 35 years ago seems like yesterday, and often it seems like forever ago. Best to you, John.

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        3. Would have loved to flown an F4. (Forget F18 Way too sophisticated.) I also did some simulation time in a Cessna Citation. Never flew the actual plane. had a lot of fun in the Piper. The 172 was old school and slow indeed. My car has better navagation aids than that old 172. Thanks, Jennie and thanks to your husband and son for their service.

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        4. I loved reading all of this, John. Your car had better navigation cracked me up! I got to fly the F-18 simulator once, and crashed the jet within three seconds. The F-4 must have been ‘shit hot’ (Navy term). Hubby’s old squadron still has a reunion every three years. Lots of stories! Thanks for your kind words of thanks for their service. Much appreciated.

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