International aviation and space shows

The year 2002 was the year of the 10th anniversary of the MAKS Intentional Aviation and Space Salon. Under a Russian government’s resolution the first international aerospace exhibition took place in 1992 at the airfield of Gromov LII (Flight Research Institute).

The location was not selected by chance. Moscow and the Moscow Region make up a region with a lot of research centers, production companies and experimental and testing facilities of the aerospace industry.

MAKS became the first Russian air show. It is characterized by a top-notch level of organization and representation. MAKS did not enter, rather it burst into the international hi-tech shows. MAKS did not just survived, rather it gained a respectable position among leading international air shows. So, what is MAKS?

MAKS is a major world air show with unlimited opportunities to showcase aerospace hardware and military materiel. The airfield and flying zone ensure maximum safety and effectiveness of demonstration flights during the MAKS air show. 

MAKS is a large-scale dedicated exhibition that represents the products of the aerospace and defence industries to their visitors. What attracts people to MAKS is a wide spectrum of research and development results, advanced technologies, up-to-date materials, sophisticated aircraft and spacecraft research, design and testing techniques.

MAKS is an unforgettable atmosphere of the festival. This feature of the show has been mentioned by everyone who happened to attend MAKS at least once. No wonder that the number of visitors has been growing steadily.

According to the majority of foreign visitors and participants, the special atmosphere at the MAKS is a hearty expression of Russian hospitality and cordiality. Russia is an enormous market, it has an impressive scientific and economic potential, reliable partners and perspective commercial hi-tech projects to pursue.

Unit 2. Aircraft technology

 7 Exercise 1.

The flight crew

The flight-deck crew of an airliner consists of two pilots on the flight deck. On the larger airliners the pilots are assisted by a flight engineer, who is responsible for the way in which the plane’s electrical, fuel and mechanical systems perform. A flight engineer takes much of the work leaving the pilots free to concentrate on the actual flying of the plane. During the flight he keeps a constant watch on the way the engines are running, making adjustments to the throttle levers so that they use fuel as economically as possible. He takes part in the checks which the pilots have to make before, during and after a flight.

Each crew member has a part to play in the safe and successful conclusion of every flight, but the captain, sitting in the left-hand seat on the flight deck, is in overall charge of the plane, its crew, its passengers and all its other contents. No doubt, it is a very responsible task. Flying a plane needs a high level of skills, alertness, intelligence and a great deal of dedication.

 8 Exercise 2.