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Speed Pressure
Speed Pressure
Bernoullis Principle
Airfoils are shaped in a way to manipulate air
pressure based on Bernoullis principle.
Air moves faster over the upper surface of the wing,
decreasing pressure (or increasing suction)
Air moves slower over the lower surface of the wing
and creates a higher pressure, or pushing force.
Airfoil Terms
Terms related to airfoils
Relative Airflow
Angle of Attack
Centre of Pressure
Relative Airflow
Lift Increases
Drag Increases
A of A versus Lift
Lift/
Drag
Angle of
Attack
Angle of Incidence
The angle of incidence is the angle between the
mean aerodynamic chord of the wing and the
longitudinal axis of the aircraft
The angle of incidence impacts forward visibility,
take-off and landing characteristics, and drag in
level flight
Types of Airfoils
Airfoil
A two-dimensional surface designed to obtain a reaction from
the air through which it moves.
The shape of an airfoil will affect how air flows over the wing
2. Induced Drag
Parasite Drag
Drag of all those parts the airplane which
DO NOT contribute to lift
This drag is hard to eliminate but it can be
minimized
Form drag is caused by the shape of the
aircraft
Landing gear
Antennas
Struts
Wing tip fuel tanks
Parasite Drag
Skin Friction
The tendency of air
flowing over the body
to cling to its surface
What causes it to
resist motion?
Ice on the wings
Dirt build up
Induced Drag
Caused by those parts of an airplane which
are active in producing lift
Cannot be eliminated
Lift Drag
Induced Drag
Induced drag can be reduced with a high
aspect ratio
Wing Tip Vortices
Over the top of the wing the
airflow goes inward Due to the
Under the bottom of the wing pressure
the airflow moves outward changes