Professor Fukanō, a renowned scientist and adventurer known for his eccentric pursuits, has embarked on a groundbreaking challenge: to fly around the world nonstop in an aircraft of his own design. This plane, capable of traveling at an astonishing speed of one degree longitude per minute along the equator, could theoretically complete the journey in just six hours. However, there’s a significant hurdle: the plane can only carry 180 kiloliters of fuel, sufficient for merely half the journey.
Rather than redesigning the plane to hold more fuel, Professor Fukanō opted for a more intricate solution. He constructed three identical planes for the mission. These aircraft are not only fast but also equipped with remarkable features, including the ability to transfer fuel between them midair without slowing down, provided they are in close proximity. The professor himself pilots the first plane, while his assistants, Fugōri and Orokana, pilot the other two.
The mission begins at the only airport on the equator that has approved this experiment, serving as the starting point, finish line, and the sole location for landing, takeoff, and refueling on the ground. The challenge is to coordinate the three planes so that Professor Fukanō can complete the entire journey without any aircraft running out of fuel and crashing.
All three planes take off at noon, heading west, each fully loaded with 180 kiloliters of fuel. After 45 minutes, or one-eighth of the journey, each plane has 135 kiloliters remaining. Orokana transfers 45 kiloliters to both the professor and Fugōri, refueling them completely. With her remaining 45 kiloliters, Orokana returns to the airport for a well-deserved rest.
Another 45 minutes later, with a quarter of the trip completed, both the professor and Fugōri have 135 kiloliters again. Fugōri then transfers 45 kiloliters to the professor, retaining 90 kiloliters for his return. The professor, now alone, continues his journey while Fugōri heads back to the airport.
As Fugōri refuels, Orokana prepares to take off again, this time flying east. By this point, 180 minutes have passed, and the professor reaches the halfway mark with 90 kiloliters of fuel left. For the next 90 minutes, the professor and Orokana fly towards each other, meeting at the three-quarter mark. Just as the professor’s fuel is about to deplete, Orokana arrives and transfers 45 kiloliters to him, leaving both with 45 kiloliters each.
At this critical juncture, Fugōri, having refueled, takes off once more. After 45 minutes, he meets the other two planes at the 315-degree point, transferring 45 kiloliters of fuel to each, ensuring all three planes have enough to reach the airport. They land triumphantly as their fuel gauges hit zero, greeted by cheering reporters and photographers.
Professor Fukanō, ever the visionary, promises that his planes will soon be available for commercial flights, with only one minor challenge left to solve: preventing in-flight meals from spilling everywhere.
Using the details provided in the article, calculate the total amount of fuel used by each plane at different stages of the journey. Create a table to show the fuel levels at each critical point (e.g., after 45 minutes, 90 minutes, etc.). This will help you understand the fuel management strategy used by Professor Fukanō and his team.
Imagine you are an adventurer like Professor Fukanō. Design your own aerial adventure, including the type of aircraft, the route, and how you would manage fuel and other resources. Create a detailed plan and present it to the class, explaining how you would overcome challenges similar to those faced by Professor Fukanō.
In groups of three, role-play the mission described in the article. Assign roles (Professor Fukanō, Fugōri, and Orokana) and use a map to simulate the journey. Use markers to represent the planes and practice transferring “fuel” (use tokens or small objects) at the designated points. This activity will help you understand the coordination and teamwork required for the mission.
Imagine you are a reporter covering Professor Fukanō’s successful mission. Write a news report detailing the journey, the challenges faced, and the triumphant return. Include quotes from the professor and his assistants, and describe the public’s reaction. This will help you practice your writing and summarizing skills.
Research the principles of flight and how aircraft are designed to be efficient. Create a presentation explaining how fuel efficiency, aerodynamics, and other factors play a role in long-distance flights. Compare modern aircraft with Professor Fukanō’s design and discuss any similarities or differences.
Fuel – A substance that provides energy, often used to power engines or machines. – The car needed fuel to run, so we stopped at the gas station to fill up the tank.
Plane – A flat surface that extends infinitely in two dimensions, often used in geometry. – In math class, we learned that a plane can be represented by a flat piece of paper.
Journey – The act of traveling from one place to another. – Our journey to the science museum took us through the beautiful countryside.
Transfer – The process of moving energy or materials from one place to another. – We learned how heat transfer occurs when you touch a hot object.
Airport – A place where airplanes take off and land, often equipped with facilities for passengers. – We arrived at the airport early to check in for our flight to visit Grandma.
Aircraft – A vehicle designed for air travel, such as an airplane or helicopter. – The aircraft soared high above the clouds, giving us a breathtaking view of the landscape below.
Professor – An expert in a specific field of study, often teaching at a college or university. – Our professor explained the laws of motion in a way that made physics exciting and easy to understand.
Speed – The distance traveled per unit of time, often measured in meters per second or miles per hour. – The speed of the roller coaster made it thrilling as we zoomed down the tracks.
Design – The process of creating a plan or drawing for something that will be built or made. – In our engineering class, we had to design a bridge that could hold a certain weight.
Adventure – An exciting or unusual experience, often involving exploration or risk. – Our camping trip turned into an adventure when we discovered a hidden waterfall in the woods.
