Remove Airfoil Remove Drag Remove Lift
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Quiz: Basic Aircraft Aerodynamics

Flight Training Central

The term 'angle of attack' is defined as the angle between the airplane's longitudinal axis and that of the air striking the airfoil. Air traveling faster over the curved upper surface of an airfoil causes lower pressure on the top surface. The horizontal component of lift. The vertical component of lift.

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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Stipa-Caproni

Vintage Aviation News

The unique cylindrical design of the fuselage allowed for a streamlined profile and reduced drag, increasing the overall efficiency. During these years, he concluded that the inner surface of the venturi tube needed an airfoil shape to achieve the greatest efficiency. The Stipa-Caproni in flight.

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The No Longer Invisible Angle of Attack: AOA Indicators

Learn to Fly

An angle of attack (AOA) indicator can determine the aerodynamic health of the airfoil (wing). This flight instrument measures the angle between an aircraft’s wing and the relative wind, providing a visual representation of how much lift the wings are generating at a given airspeed or angle of bank.

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Passing the torch

Air Facts

The Four Forces of Flight (Lift, Thrust, Drag & Gravity) obey Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. irplane controls work per the Lever Principle, and a wing’s airfoil shape increases lift via the Bernouilli Principle and Coanda Effect. The oldest is Archimedes’ Law. Yes, it was the same Jacques Charles.

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The Hazards of Aircraft Icing: Explained

Pilot Institute

And ice doesn’t just make things slippery, it messes with the airflow over the wings, cuts down on lift, and ramps up drag. Remember that wings, propeller blades, and tail surfaces are airfoil-shaped. Ice build-up on the airframe changes the airflow pattern around these airfoils.

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Recognising NASA Technology on Modern Airliners

Fear of Landing

One of the most revolutionary was the “area rule,” a concept that helped aircraft designers avoid the disruption in airflow and resulting drag caused by the attachment of the wings to the fuselage. The resulting “supercritical airfoil” shape, when integrated with the aircraft wing, significantly improves the aircraft’s cruise efficiency.

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Nothing Small About It

Plane and Pilot

Winging It Aside from the aforementioned desire for a greater aspect ratio for reduced drag, the one-piece Gweduck wing was developed for minimal weight, ease of construction and benign handling. Keeping drag corralled was emphasized as the Gweduck mission is foremost long-distance cruising. Overall, the controls were wonderful.