Aerodynamics Flashcards
What is camber?
Curvature
Distance between mean camber line and chord line
What is the centre of gravity?
Weight of aircraft and point which balances can be found.
Acts towards centre of earth
What is mean camber line?
Line drawn halfway between upper and lower surfaces
Aka averse curvature
What is chord line?
Straight line joining leading edge and trailing edge of aerofoil
Where does lift act?
At right angles/perpendicular to relative airflow
Where does drag act?
Parallel to the relative airflow and opposing motion
What is the angle of attack?
Angle between the chord line and relative airflow
What is the centre of pressure?
Point on top of aerofoil where total reaction of all lifting aerodynamically forces said to act
What happens as angle of attack increases?
Lifting of wing increases
Centre of pressure moves forward
What is the primary effects of flaps?
Additional lift at slower speed
Increase drag
Shallower climbs
What is induced drag?
Drag forces associated with production of lift
Related to angle of attack, higher AoA, higher induced drag
What is parasite drag?
Not associated with development of lift
Higher the speed higher the drag
How is induced drag reduced?
Reducing span wise airflow
Fitting fences
Winglets
High aspect ratio
What is washout?
Pressure differential at wingtip is reduced if wing has inbuilt twist, reducing angle of incidence from wing root to tip
What are the benefits of washout?
Less severe wingtip vortices
Less induced drag
Less bending load on wing root
How close do you have to be to be in ground effect?
Approximately 1 wingspan
At 30 bank, what is the load factor and stalling speed?
Load 1.5
Stalling speed increased by 7%
At 60 angle of bank what is load factor and the stalling speed?
Load is 2 and stalling speed increased by 41%
What is the tendency of bank during climb?
Over bank in climb
What is the angle of incidence?
Angle between chord line of wing and longitudinal axis of plane
Where does lift act?
Centre of pressure
Right angle/perpendicular to relative airflow
What does dihedral wings do to stability?
Increases lateral stability
What forces are there in straight and level?
Weight balanced by lift
Drag balanced by thrust
Forces are in balance resulting in 0 force
What is the formula for wing loading?
Weight of aircraft/wing area
Kg/m squared