NACA Numbers

Question 1

With respect to the 4 digit NACA airfoils, what does the first digit represent?

Answer 1

The maximum chamber in hundreds of the chord.

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 2

With respect to the 4 digit NACA airfoils, what does the second digit represent?

Answer 2

The location of the maximum camber along the chord from the leading edge (measured in tenths of the chord).

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 3

With respect to the 4 digit NACA airfoils, what do the last two digits represent?

Answer 3

The maximum thickness in hundredths of the chord.

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 4

With respect to the 5 digit NACA airfoils, what does the first digit represent?

Answer 4

When multiplied by 3/2, the first number gives the design lift coefficient in tenths.

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 5

With respect to the 5 digit NACA airfoils, what do the second and third digits represent?

Answer 5

When divided by 2, the second two digits give the location of the maximum camber along the chord from the leading edge in hundreds of the chord.

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 6

With respect to the 5 digit NACA airfoils, what do the final two digits represent?

Answer 6

Maximum thickness in hundreds of the chord.

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 7

With respect to the 6 digit NACA airfoils, what does the first digit refer to?

Answer 7

The series (6 series)

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 8

With respect to the 6 digit NACA airfoils, what does the second number refer to?

Answer 8

The location of minimum pressure in tenths of the chord from the leading edge.

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 9

With respect to the 6 digit NACA airfoils, what does the third digit imply?

Answer 9

The design lift coefficient in tenths.

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327

Question 10

With respect to the 6 digit NACA airfoils, what do the last two numbers represent?

Answer 10

maximum thickness in hundredths of the chord.

Ref: Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Pg. 327