90 Years of Propulsion

Without the tremendous advances in propulsion technology, the achievements of other sectors of aviation would count for little.

Throughout the 19^th century would-be aviators tried to get flying machines airborne under the power of some kind of engine. As all they needed was a modest thrust for perhaps a minute, the simple answer would have been to use two or three small-size rockets, fired in succession. Instead, they invariably chose steam power. Sir Hiram Maxim’s huge 1894 test rig actually left the ground carrying three burly stokers shoveling coke!

The successful aeroplane had to await the petrol-burning internal-combustion engine. Paris, the centre of high-tech innovation at the turn of the century, generated a «chauffeur» mentality, in which every would-be aviator thought he could climb into his aeroplane and take off, without bothering to learn to fly first.

Notes:

would-be aviators - люди, мечтающие стать летчиками

to get airborne - оторваться от земли, быть в воздухе

test rig - испытательный стенд

burly stokers - огромные топки

shoveling coke - перелопачивающие кокс

Контрольная работа

I.Чтение.

Задание 1. Прочтите текст и поймите его содержание. Заполните пропуски словами из рамочки.

developing, create, surpass, requirements, strength, propulsive, system, steam, converting, advancements, performance

The means for ...1... the energy to thrust power is called the ...2... . Before World War II all aircraft were powered by ...3... engines. They could not meet all the ...4... . Fantastic ...5... have been made during the past decade in the ...6... of aircraft power plants. Today’s engines ...7... several thousand horse power ...8... those used 50 years ago in safety, economics and especially in weight and ...9... characteristics. Very soon we shall ...10... nuclear, plasma, ion and other exotic engines.

Задание 2. Вам даны ответы. Задайте к ним вопросы.

1. 50 years ago all the aircraft were powered by steam engines.

2. Several thousand horse power.

3. Ion, nuclear, plasma engines.

Задание 3. Поставьте вопросы в правильной последовательности, соответствующей содержанию текста.

1. Could steam engines meet all modern requirements?

2. What is the thrust of today’s engines?

3. When were fantastic advancements in the field of aircraft power plants made?

4. In what characteristics do today’s engines surpass those used 50 years ago?

5. What is propulsive system?

6. What engines will be soon created?

7. What engines powered the aircraft before World War II?

II Грамматика.

Задание 1. Укажите, чем является в предложении слово «provided»

а) союзом;

б) глаголом.

1. Provided the temperature were maintained constant, we should obtain the necessary data.

2. Lomonosov’s helicopter was provided with two propellers.

3. The engineer informed us that the aircraft would be provided with additional fuel tanks.

4. When provided with two seats in the cockpit the aircraft may be used for instructive flights.

Задание 2. Выберите подходящий союз:

а) if;

б) unless.

1. ... treated properly, the material will not be a good insulator.

2. ... we use this new method, we shall obtain better results.

Задание 3. Переведите предложения.

1. The engine would be put into mass production in a month, provided its tests were successfully accomplished.

2. Provided this airplane had carried more fuel its period of flight could have been longer.

3. Their flight would have started unless the wind had been so strong.

4. Test flights would have been followed by mass production of the craft provided they had been successful.

UNIT 3