When an airplane takes off, it needs to climb to reach its cruising altitude. To do this, the airplane tilts its nose up, which is known as a positive pitch angle. This causes the airplane to climb at a steeper angle than it would if it were flying level. But why does tilting the nose up cause the airplane to climb?
The answer lies in the physics of aerodynamics. When an airplane is flying, the wings generate lift, which is what keeps the airplane in the air. The amount of lift generated by the wings depends on several factors, including the angle of attack, the speed of the airplane, and the shape of the wings.
When an airplane is climbing, it needs to generate more lift than it does when it is flying level. This is because the airplane is fighting against gravity, which is pulling it down towards the ground. To generate more lift, the airplane needs to increase its angle of attack, which is the angle between the wings and the oncoming airflow.
By tilting its nose up, the airplane increases its angle of attack, which in turn increases the amount of lift generated by the wings. This allows the airplane to climb at a steeper angle than it would if it were flying level. The airplane can continue to climb until it reaches its cruising altitude, at which point it levels off and flies straight and level.
It’s worth noting that the airplane doesn’t need to tilt its nose up to climb. It’s possible for an airplane to climb while flying level, but it would need to fly faster to generate the extra lift required to fight against gravity. By tilting its nose up, the airplane can generate more lift without having to fly faster, which is why it’s the preferred method of climbing.
In summary, airplanes lift up their nose to climb because it increases the angle of attack, which in turn increases the amount of lift generated by the wings. This allows the airplane to climb at a steeper angle than it would if it were flying level, without having to fly faster.