Why Do Planes Fold Their Wheels Up After Takeoff?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do planes fold their wheels up after takeoff?

The Big Idea

After take-off, planes fold their wheels up. They disappear into the body of the plane. There is a smart reason!

Wheels Cause Drag

Step one: wheels cause drag. Wheels sticking out into the wind cause a lot of drag. That slows a plane down.

Fold Up

Step two: fold them up. After take-off, the landing gear swings up into the body of the plane and the doors close. The air flows smoothly, which saves fuel and lets the plane fly faster.

Down Again

Step three: down again. Before landing, the pilot lowers the wheels again. Strong shock absorbers in the legs soften the bump of touch-down.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The wheels are down for take-off. They fold up. Doors close. They come down for landing.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Some small planes keep their wheels down all the time. Wheels up means less drag. It saves fuel. Strong shock absorbers soften the landing bump.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Push your hand through water in a basin, edge-first. Then push it palm-first. Which feels like more drag? Think about wheels sticking out in the wind. Keep asking why, and keep exploring!

Outro

Planes fold their wheels up after take-off to cut drag, which saves fuel and lets them fly faster. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Ask a grown-up to help you try the mission, and see what you can find out. Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!