Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 1, 2025

Studying historical aircraft helps students understand the development of flight and learn from early engineers about problems of lift, propulsion, stability, and material constraints. Particularly in battle aerodynamics, drag reduction, and structural durability, early aircraft teach engineers today important insights.

Drag 52

Drag Lift Jet Stability 52

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 7, 2024

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.

Airfoil 98

Airfoil Rudder Drag Stability 98

Fear of Landing

MARCH 22, 2024

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.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Airfoil Drag Airline 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

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.

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 5, 2024

Additionally, the Shiun incorporated a laminar flow airfoil to reduce drag. However, this would mean that the Shiun’s pilot would have to ditch the aircraft in the water, with the stabilizing floats deploying to add buoyancy to the aircraft. But there were also several key distinctions between the Kyofu and the Shiun.

Drag 52

Drag Stability Airfoil Torque 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

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.

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Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 77

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. The previous CTs had a stabilator for pitch, where the new F2 uses a more conventional elevator and fixed horizontal stabilizer.

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Airplanes Rudder Aileron Crosswind 98