OU on the BBC: Science Shack - What's the biggest thing that can fly?

By: The Science Shack team (The Open University)

Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate the science that keeps things aloft. A brief guide to a visit to the Science Shack.

02 Jun

2006

Comment Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Print

Production team Adam Hart-Davis sends a flying loop skywards

There is a limit to how big you can build an aircraft. Once it gets to a certain size its mass prevents it staying airborne whatever shape you make it.

But what, exactly, is that size? And what is possible?

Adam investigates the science of making big things fly by building an airship to lift his weight. It may sound easy, but Adam's determined to do it the hard way and build the entire structure out of paper!

First broadcast: Friday 2 Nov 2001 on BBC TWO

Science Shack in more depth:

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can I make myself invisible? BBC

Adam Hart-Davis asks whether you can make yourself invisible in the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can I make myself invisible?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you fly like a bird? BBC

Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate how high you can jump, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you fly like a bird?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you live underwater? BBC

Summary for the 'Can You Live Underwater?' programme, part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you live underwater?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you walk on water? BBC

Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate whether it's possible to walk on water, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Can you walk on water?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How can I survive a lightning strike? BBC

Adam Hart-Davis and the team take on the elements, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How can I survive a lightning strike?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How do flies walk on ceilings? Production team

Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate how a fly walks, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How do flies walk on ceilings?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How fast can your legs carry you? Production team

Adam Hart-Davis attempts to pedal his way into history, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How fast can your legs carry you?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How high can you jump? Production team

Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate whether you can fly like a bird, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How high can you jump?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How tall can you make a building? Production team

Adam Hart-Davis and the team investigate how tall they can make a building, as part of the BBC/OU's Science Shack series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - How tall can you make a building?

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Second series Production team

More seemingly impossible challenges are put to the scientific test as the Science Shack team return for a second series. Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - Second series

OU on the BBC: Science Shack - What will we do when the oil runs out? The Open University

North Sea oil will probably run out around 2040 - then what? With no oil derived plastics and no constant source of energy how will... Read more : OU on the BBC: Science Shack - What will we do when the oil runs out?