How do airplanes generate lift and navigate the skies?

Airplanes use wings and motion to fly, just like how a paper airplane soars when you throw it.

When an airplane moves forward, its wings slice through the air. The shape of the wings is special, they’re curved on top and flatter on the bottom. This makes the air move faster over the top of the wing than underneath it. Because of this, the air pushes up harder under the wing than it does above it, creating an upward force called lift, which helps the airplane rise into the sky.

Airplanes have control surfaces, like flaps on their wings and a tail that sways. These help them turn, go up or down, and even stop when they land. It’s like how you steer a toy car with a wheel, turning the rudder at the back makes the airplane twist left or right, while moving parts on the wings make it climb or descend.

The engines push the plane forward, and as it moves faster, more lift is created. Soon, the airplane is gliding through the sky like a bird!