POF 1 Flashcards
Principles of Flight
Aerofoil (definition)
A body with a cross-sectional area shaped to produce an aerodynamic force.
Angle of Attack (definition)
The angle between the chord line and the relative airflow. = alpha
Chord line (definition)
The straight line joining the centre’s of curvature of the leading and trailing edges.
Chord (definition)
The distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge along the chord line.
Aspect Ratio (equation)
Aspect Ratio = Wing Span ÷ Mean Chord
Mean camber line (definition)
The line equidistant between upper and lower surfaces of the wing. This line is a measure of the wings camber.
Camber (definition)
A measure of the wings camber along the chord.
Symmetrical Aerofoil (definition)
An aerofoil with the same camber on the upper and lower surfaces.
Streamline (definition)
A line showing the direction of the airflow.
Rigging angle or angle of incidence (definition)
The angle between the chord line and the fore and aft datum line of the aircraft.
Dihedral/Anhedral (definition)
The wing sloping either upwards or downwards from the fuselage.
Pressure Envelope (definition)
The line showing the pressure around the aerofoil above or below ambient pressure.
Total reaction (definition)
The resultant of all the aerodynamic forces acting on the wing or aerofoil.
Centre of Pressure (definition)
The point at which the total reaction is assumed to act.
Lift
(definition + equation)
The component of the total reaction perpendicular to the flight path.
Lift = CL 1/2 rho V^2S
CL is coefficient of lift, rho is air density, V is free stream velocity, S is wing area
Drag (definition + equation)
The component of the total reaction parallel to the flight path. Drag = C_D 1/2 rho V^2 S
Taper (definition)
The decrease in chord from wing root to tip.
Washout (definition)
The decrease in rigging angle from wing root to wing tip, often used to prevent wing tip stalling.
Wing area (definition)
The area of the aircraft’s wing S = Span × Mean chord
Wing loading (equation)
Wing loading = Aircraft weight ÷ Wing area
Load factor (equation)
Load Factor (n) = Lift ÷ Aircraft Weight Often referred to as g.
Air Density (definition)
The mass of air per unit volume. Symbol rho 1.225k225kgs/m^3 at sea level
Bernoulli’s Theorem
(definition + equation)
Bernoulli’s theorem states that in a steady streamlined flow of an inconpressible fluid, the sum of the energies is constant.
Pressure Energy + Kinetic Energy = Constant
Static Pressure + Dynamic Pressure = Constant
P + 1/2 rho V^2 = constant
Explain the theory of airflow/pressure through a venturi?
As the airflow accelerates through the throat of the venturi the pressure will reduce - denoted by the streamlines converging. The lower half of the venturi is shaped like a low speed aerofoil and it is the difference in pressure due to the accelerated air that creates lift.
Stagnation point (definition)
Point at which the airflow is at rest/stagnant. Occurs close to the leading edge of the aerofoil.
How do seperation point and CoP move with AoA?
As AoA increases:
Seperation point starts close to the TE and moves forward towards the LE.
CoP moves forward towards the LE until the critical angle when the wing stalls and the CoP moves rearward (explains nose up).
Relative Airflow (definition)
Airflow remote from the aircraft and unaffected by it’s presence.