Aerodynamics Flashcards
Atmosphere Composition
Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Other gases - 1%
International Standard Atmosphere (ISA)
Defines a “Standard Day” conditions
All aircraft and engine performance data are based on ISA conditions
Altitude = Mean Sea Level (MSL)
Air Density
Air weighs .07651 lbs/cu ft under ISA conditions
Air Density and Temperature
Temperature increases, air density decreases
Air Density and Altitude
Altitude increases, air density decreases
Air Density and Humidity
Humidity increases, air density decreases
Air Density and Pressure
Pressure decreases, air density decreases
Air Density and Aircraft & Engine Performance
A decrease in air density causes a decrease in both aircraft and engine performance
Both lift and power decrease
Aircraft and engine perform best on a cool, dry day
Humidity
Measure of the amount of water vapor in the air
Humidity and Temperature
The amount of water vapor that can be held in the air is directly proportional to the temperature
Relative Humidity
A Ratio between the water vapor present in an air mass…
…compared to the amount that could be held at a specific temperature and pressure if the air were completely saturated
Dew Point
The temperature to which an air mass must be cooled to become completely saturated (RH = 100%)
Aerodynamics
The study of objects in motion through the air and the effects of these motions
Chord
The straight line distance from the leading to the trailing edge of an airfoil
Camber
The curvature of an airfoil
Relative wind
The oncoming airflow as seen by the airfoil
Angle of Attack
the acute angle formed between the chord line and the relative wind
Angle of incidence
the acute angle formed between the chord line and the longitudinal axis
Bernoulli’s Principle
Pressure is inversely proportional to velocity when fluid flowing through a tube passes through a constriction
Forces Affecting Flight
Gravity (or weight)
Lift
Thrust
Drag
Lift (3)
Produced when an airfoil meets the relative wind at a small angle of attack
The force which opposes gravity
An increase in lift will always be associated with an increase in drag
Thrust (2)
Forward propulsive force provided by engines
The center of thrust is located below the center of drag
Drag
Resistance to forward motion caused by friction between air and aircraft
Types of Drag
Induced Drag
Parasite Drag
Induced Drag
Drag caused by the production of lift
Parasite Drag
Drag caused by non lift producing structures ( wheels, struts, windscreen, etc…)
Equilibrium
A condition where lift equals gravity and thrust equals drag
Aircraft is in a straight line and level flight at a constant speed
Longitudinal Axis
Runs from the nose to the tail
Lateral Axis
Runs from wing tip to wing tip