EXPLORATIONS - Soaring

EXPLORATIONS¹ -March 6, 2002: Soaring²

By Paul Thompson
VOICE ONE:

This is Steve Ember.

VOICE TWO:

And this is Shirley Griffith with the VOA Special English program, EXPLORATIONS. Today, we tell about a
dream that is as old as the human mind. The dream is flight. Today we tell about how that dream has led to the
sport of soaring. Soaring is flying in an airplane without an engine.

((THEME))

VOICE ONE:

Every sport has a history. But few sports have a history that goes back one-thousand
years. It was then that a Roman Catholic³ monk⁴ built a device⁵ to fly.

History records say his name was Eilmer of Malmesbury England. He reportedly
jumped from a building with wings he had built. He floated down for about two
hundred meters before crashing. He broke both his legs. It was not a good flight, but
it was a beginning.

One of the most famous inventors and artists designed a flying device in the fifteen -century. The Italian inventor-
artist was Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo designed bird-like wings for a man to wear. His drawings survive to this
day.

VOICE TWO:

Real flight by humans developed very slowly because early inventors like Leonardo tried to make wings that
moved. Leonardo and other inventors studied birds. They used the birds' method of flight for their designs. Their
idea was that a person would wear wings on their arms and move them up and down just as a bird's wings move.
The idea always failed. We now know that a human does not have enough power to move wings fast enough to
fly.

The first real flights took place in Eighteen-Forty- Nine. British inventor George Cayley built a winged machine
called a glider⁶ that carried a man. But it crashed after a short flight. In Eighteen-Eighty- Three, an American,
John J. Montgomery, made the first, controlled flight in a glider. In fact, he made several. Then Otto Lilienthal of
Germany made about two-thousand flights in simple gliders⁷ during the Eighteen-Nineties. He built a tall hill from
which to launch⁸ his flights.

Americans Wilbur and Orville Wright flew several kinds of gliders. They also improved methods of controlling
their glider flights. Their successful experiments with gliders led to the first aircraft⁹ powered by an engine.

VOICE ONE:

The gliders of long ago could only stay in the air for limited amounts of time. Usually they were launched¹⁰ from a
high place. They slowly floated or glided¹¹ down. Modern technology has made the glider a high performance
machine. It can stay up for many hours. It can reach many kilometers into the sky by riding on the hot air that
rises from the ground. It can carry one, two or more people.

Modern gliders are built from space-age lightweight metals, or plastics. They can carry radios, oxygen needed for
extreme¹² heights, and many flight instruments.


Many modern gliders or sailplanes look more like insects than birds. They have narrow, rounded bodies, with
long thin tails. Their wings are extremely¹³ long too.

There is very little room inside. The pilot does not sit straight. The seat permits¹⁵ the pilot to almost lie down in an
area enclosed¹⁶ by a plastic top. The top is clear. This lets the pilot see very well in every direction.

VOICE TWO:

A pilot controls a sailplane or glider much the same as other aircraft. Control instruments called ailerons are built
into each wing. With one aileron raised and the other lowered¹⁸, the plane will turn in the direction of the raised
aileron.

Another control is on the tail. It is called the elevator. It swings up and down. The elevator makes the plane move
up or down.

The tail also has a control that moves from side to side. It is called a rudder. It helps direct¹⁷ the plane. The pilot
controls the rudder with foot pedals²⁰. The pilot uses a device called a stick to control the ailerons and elevators.
Moving the stick from side to side moves the ailerons. Moving the stick forward points the glider down. Pulling
back on the stick makes it go up.

In front of the pilot are several instruments. One shows how high the glider is. Another shows the air speed.
Another is a compass that shows what direction the glider is flying. And another tells if the glider is going up, or
down.

VOICE ONE:

The modern glider is like those designed hundreds of years ago. It has no power. It can get into the air only with
help. In the United²¹ States, a powered airplane usually pulls the glider into the air. The glider is usually pulled up
to one thousand meters. Then the rope used to pull the glider is released²². The glider is on its own.

Every school child knows that hot air rises. Glider pilots learn this fact. They learn how to use it. As hot air rises
from the ground, it creates enough pressure to permit¹⁴ a modern glider to rise. It provides the power to keep the
glider in the air. When the glider has risen as high as the pilot wants, he steers²³ the glider away from the hot air. A
glider pilot who has enough rising hot air can keep the aircraft in the air for several hours.

((MUSIC BRIDGE))

VOICE TWO:

Howard Hoadley lives in the southern state of North Carolina. When Howard is not working, or sleeping,
Howard thinks about flying. Howard loves to fly. When he is not flying gliders, he is talking about flying gliders.
Or he is talking about glider equipment, good places to fly gliders and about his friends who fly gliders.

He has very little interest in flying airplanes that have engines. He thinks they make too much noise. Flying with
Howard is safe. It is also fun.

Howard flies from a very small airport in beautiful North Carolina farm land. Crops grow next to the landing²⁴
field. There are powered airplanes at the airport but Howard only cares about the ones that pull the gliders into
the air. On weekends and holidays, gliders land and take off every few minutes.

VOICE ONE:

If you have never been in a glider before, Howard always takes time to explain how it works²⁵. He shows how to
use the safety belts. He explains each of the instruments and what they do. He shows how the controls work. He
makes each passenger feel good about trying a new experience. And he tells his passengers that they will have a
chance to fly the glider themselves once they are safely in the air.

The glider Howard usually flies can carry two people. One sits in the front and one behind. Howard, as the pilot,
rides behind the passenger. Howard and the passenger both have a complete set of flight instruments and
controls.


The glider is launched with safety as the first consideration²⁶. A person on the ground provides support for both the
pilot of the glider and the pilot of the plane that will pull the gilder²⁷ into the air. That person controls the launch
and uses hand signs to communicate with both pilots.

When everything is ready the sign to go is given. The person on the ground runs along with the glider to keep its
wings level for the first few feet.

VOICE TWO:
The take-off area is covered with grass. So the ride is not very smooth. Howard tells his passengers to expect to
feel many bumps²⁸ in the first few moments. The glider moves faster and faster, as the airplane pulling it gathers
speed. Within seconds both aircraft lift off the ground. The ride now is very smooth. You can hear the sound of
the airplane engine in the plane that is pulling the glider.

VOICE ONE:

It takes a few minutes to reach the height where the rope holding the glider to the airplane is released. When the
rope is released, the glider turns to the right. The airplane goes left.
Now no loud sound is heard in the glider, only the sound of the air passing under the glider's wings. The clear

plastic glass that covers the front of the glider provides a beautiful sight in all directions. The ground far below is
green. There are dark green trees, green corn, and grass. A farm is seen in the distance. And, far below is the
airport, with aircraft lined up in a row.

VOICE TWO:

Howard looks to make sure there are no other aircraft in the area. Then he tells his passenger to place his right
hand on the stick and his feet on the rudder pedals. Howard takes his hands and feet off the controls.
Howard tells the passenger, "Now, turn to the left. Move the stick to the left and press the left rudder pedal¹⁹ at the

same time...stick and rudder together always. Now try pushing the stick forward a little. Now turn to the right."

Howard sounds happy. Then he says one of the most exciting things the passenger will ever hear: "Now you are
really flying ... all by yourself.
"
((THEME)
)
VOICE ONE:
This Special English program was written and produced by Paul Thompson. This is Steve Ember.
VOICE TWO:
And this is Shirley Griffith. Join us again next week at this time for another EXPLORATIONS program on the

Voice of America.

 

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1 explorations   

探险旅行( exploration的名词复数 )； 搜寻； 考察； 勘探

参考例句：

• Our underwater explorations also helped to confirm the theory. 我们的水下考察也有助于证实这个理论。
• The geographical explorations had revealed the inadequacies of the existing maps. 地形勘查揭露出现有地图的不妥之处。

2 soaring   

adj.往上爬升的；高耸的

参考例句：

• The house prices in the city seemed soaring up without limit. 这个城市的房价好像在无限制地飞涨。
• They were amazed at the soaring drive of our oil workers. 他们对我国石油工人的冲天干劲感到惊奇。

3 catholic   

adj.天主教的；n.天主教徒

参考例句：

• The Pope is the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church.教皇是罗马天主教的最高领袖。
• She was a devoutly Catholic.她是一个虔诚地天主教徒。

4 monk   

n.和尚，僧侣，修道士

参考例句：

• The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。
• Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

5 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。

6 glider   

n.滑翔机；滑翔导弹

参考例句：

• The glider was soaring above the valley.那架滑翔机在山谷上空滑翔。
• The pilot managed to land the glider on a safe place.那个驾驶员设法让滑翔机着陆到一个安全的地方。

7 gliders   

n.滑翔机( glider的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The albatross is the king of gliders. 信天翁是滑翔鸟类之王。 来自《用法词典》
• For three summers, may bested and improved their gliders. 他们花了三个夏天不断地测试、改进。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

8 launch   

vt.发动，推出；发射；n.发射，下水，投产

参考例句：

• The makers are about to launch out a new product.制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。
• Would it be wise to launch into this rough sea?在这样汹涌的大海中游泳明智吗？

9 aircraft   

n.飞机 (单复数同)

参考例句：

• Your seat is in the fore part of the aircraft.你的座位在飞机的前部。
• They have placed an order with us for three new aircraft.他们向我们订购了三架新飞机。

10 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

11 glided   

v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔

参考例句：

• The President's motorcade glided by. 总统的车队一溜烟开了过去。
• They glided along the wall until they were out of sight. 他们沿着墙壁溜得无影无踪。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 extreme   

adj.末端的，尽头的；极度的，极端的；n.极度，最大程度

参考例句：

• She lived on the extreme edge of the forest.她住在森林的最边缘。
• His views are rather extreme.他的见解相当偏激。

13 extremely   

adv.极其，非常，极度

参考例句：

• The film is extremely good,I just cannot miss it.这部电影太精彩了，我非看不可。
• The old man was extremely difficult to get along with.这个老人极难相与。

14 permit   

n.许可证，许可，执照；vt.允许，容许；vi.容许

参考例句：

• The doctor will not permit mother up until her leg is better.在母亲的腿好些之前,医生不允许她起床。
• The soldiers had orders to permit no stranger through.士兵们接到命令不许任何陌生人通过。

15 permits   

许可( permit的名词复数 )； 许可证； 执照

参考例句：

• The building permits are granted by the City Building Department. 建筑许可证由城建局签发。
• This task permits (of) no delay. 这项任务不允许有任何耽搁。

16 enclosed   

adj.被附上的；（用墙等）围住的；封闭的；与外界隔绝的v.（用墙、篱笆等）把…围起来( enclose的过去式和过去分词 )；把…装入信封；附入；（尤指墙、篱笆等 ）围住

参考例句：

• The yard had been enclosed with iron railings. 院子用铁栅栏围了起来。
• Do not use this substance in an enclosed space. 切勿在不透气的地方使用此物质。

17 direct   

adj.直接的；直达的；v.指挥；知道；监督；管理

参考例句：

• This train is direct,you do not have to change.这辆火车是直达的，你不必换车。
• The army is under the king's direct command.军队由国王直接统帅。

18 lowered   

v.（使）降低， （使）跌落( lower的过去式和过去分词 )；削弱；削减；减少

参考例句：

• Every evening at sunset the flag was lowered. 每天傍晚日落时都要降旗。
• She lowered her eyelids, then sprang them open. 她低垂着眼睑，然后突然睁开。 来自《简明英汉词典》

19 pedal   

n.踏板；adj.脚的，踏脚的；v.用脚踏动，踩踏板

参考例句：

• He pressed down the accelerator pedal of his car.他踩下汽车的加速器踏板。
• I saw him pedal to school every morning.我看到他每天早晨骑自行车上学。

20 pedals   

n.（自行车或其他机器的）踏板( pedal的名词复数 )；脚蹬子；（钢琴、风琴等的）踏板；踏瓣

参考例句：

• I couldn't reach the pedals on her bike. 我骑她的车够不到脚蹬子。
• The pedals of a cycle are attached to a crank. 自行车的踏板与曲柄相连。 来自辞典例句

21 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

22 released   

v.释放( release的过去式和过去分词 )；放开；发布；发行

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• With hindsight it is easy to say they should not have released him. 事后才说他们本不应该释放他，这倒容易。

23 steers   

n.阉公牛，肉用公牛( steer的名词复数 )v.驾驶( steer的第三人称单数 )；操纵；控制；引导

参考例句：

• This car steers easily. 这部车子易于驾驶。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Good fodder fleshed the steers up. 优质饲料使菜牛长肉。 来自辞典例句

24 landing   

n.登陆；着陆；楼梯平台

参考例句：

• Owing to engine trouble,the plane had to make a forced landing.由于发动机出了毛病，飞机不得不进行迫降。
• When are we landing?我们什么时候着陆？

25 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

26 consideration   

n.考虑，思考；要考虑的事；体谅，关心

参考例句：

• John never showed any consideration for his mother's feeling.约翰从来都不体谅他母亲的感情。
• We did an overall consideration of the matter at last.最后我们又对这个问题作了全盘考虑。

27 gilder   

镀金工人

参考例句：

28 bumps   

碰撞( bump的名词复数 )； 肿块； 轻微撞车事故； 隆起物

参考例句：

• I had goose bumps when we watched the fireworks. 我们看烟火的时候，我起鸡皮疙瘩。
• E was kind of zig-zagging across the pavement, and I bumps into 'im accidental-like. 他有点歪歪斜斜地在人行道上走，我一不小心撞到了他的怀里。 来自英汉文学