Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

When air flows over the aircraft wing, the shape of the airfoil creates low pressure above the wing and relatively higher pressure below the wing. This horizontal component of lift is called Induced Drag. Its called induced drag since it only exists as a consequence of lift. Increased Drag Moving air around is hard work!

Turbulence 97

Turbulence Lift Drag Runway 97

Plane and Pilot

APRIL 14, 2025

The NXT was designed using computer-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD), NASA-derived airfoils, and was tested in the Lockheed wind tunnel to refine the aerodynamics. He flies downwind leg at 150 mph, final approach at 130, and touchdown at 110the NXT stalls at 90 mph. Flying the NXT is an experience.

Airfoil 72

Airfoil Final Approach Drag Tail 72

Pilot Institute

MARCH 13, 2025

Airfoils use this principle, with faster airflow over the top creating lower pressure. As the airflow approaches the wing, the flow splits above and below the leading edge. Engineers use Bernoullis principle to shape airfoils to optimize the pressure difference needed for efficient lift generation.

Pilot 52

Pilot Lift Camber Airfoil 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

They are designed with a special shape called an airfoil, which encourages passing air to turn and deflect downward. This is why the typical airfoil shape has a curved top and a flat bottom, especially in slower-speed general aviation aircraft. Its very useful if youre too high on approach. Wings do just that.

Lift 52

Lift Thrust Torque Aileron 52

Plane and Pilot

DECEMBER 16, 2024

For one thing, the F2s fuselage hangs from a completely new wing with two distinct airfoil shapes. An obvious discontinuity leads to a thinner airfoil inboard. You do have to remember that its a slick airplane with a fixed-pitch prop, so you dont have much more drag to play with besides flaps.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Rudder Aileron Crosswind 98

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

But it was apparent the smallest Grumman flying boat was too small and full of quirks—the cabin door won’t open if the flaps are down, for example—to justify something approaching a direct copy. The airfoil is a Harry Riblett shape, giving modernized flow separation on the leading edge for a soft stall yet with good lift and drag performance.

Airplanes 80

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 80