Aerodynamics Basics Flashcards
How is “lift” created? (How does a plane fly)
As air velocity increases, it’s pressure decreases. A wing with a curved upper surface and flat lower surface, causes higher velocity (lower pressure) air flow over the curved upper surface. This causes a pressure difference and the plane lifts upwards.
What is the Coanda affect?
Moving air is attracted to and flows along the wings surface. The wing tilt (angle of attack) causes air to flow downwards as it leaves the wing. Airplane is deflected upwards.
What is drag?
The force that opposes an aircrafts motion through the air (friction between the air particles and aircraft surfaces)
What is thrust?
The force that moves the aircraft forward.
The opposite of drag, thrust must be greater than drag to move an aircraft forward.
