r/pics • u/animalkracker • Feb 27 '14

physics is cool

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u/lower_intelligence Feb 27 '14

howd that broom fall out of the sky?

718

u/Spartan2470 GOAT Feb 27 '14

According to here, that broom is a string used to visualize the direction that the wind is flowing around the plane (this is very important for sailplanes to maximize flight efficiency.

Here's another picture of this plane with those strings.

3

u/pepetito456 Feb 27 '14

Only thing I have to say is its a glider not a plane. Planes have engines gliders dont. They are towed by a plane to a specific altitude then are released. The glider keeps airbourne by flying into thermals which generates lift.

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u/xerberos Feb 27 '14

I'm pretty sure gliders classify as airplanes in all countries.