Principles of Flight Flashcards
Air density as a result of increase in:
Temperature
Static pressure
Humidity
Temperature +ve => Density -ve
Static pressure +ve => Density +ve
Humidity +ve => Density -ve
ISA
- Stands for
- Sea level
International Standard Atmosphere
15 deg C
1013.25 hPa
1.1225 kg/m(3) density
ISA changes at altitude
2 degrees C lost per 1000ft up to 36,000ft
From which constant -56.5 deg C
Dynamic pressure formula
Q = 1/2 x rho x v(2)
Calibrated air speed (CAS)
IAS adjusted for instrument and pressure errors (pressure error is due to position of the pitot tube, aircraft configuration etc.)
Equivalent air speed (EAS)
IAS corrected for both position (as in CAS) and also compressibility of air, which is a factor at high speeds (i.e. air compresses within the pitot tube)
Requirement for IAS indicator to show TAS
Only when air density is 1.225kg/m(3)
Mach number
M = TAS / a
Where a = local speed of sound
Critical Mach Number
M(crit) is the mach number at which airflow around some part of aircraft will reach local speed of sound
When is an airspeed measure a speed, and when is it a pressure?
TAS is speed, all other measures are in fact pressures.
Thus IAS indicator is in fact a pressure gauge, not a speed gauge
Principle of continuity
Description & full formula
Flow of mass of air through a tube will remain constant
Cross sectional area (A) x Velocity (V) x rho = Constant
[e.g. temperature doesn’t affect mass flow (which is constant) as decrease in density will be offset by increased velocity]
Simplified principle of continuity formula
For M < 0.4, density changes are insignificant, so:
A x V = Constant
What theorem determines that energy and mass can be neither created nor destroyed?
Continuity principle
Bernoulli’s theorum
In the steady flow of an IDEAL fluid, the sum or pressure energy and kinetic energy remains constant
Nature of an ideal fluid
Incompressible and zero viscosity
Streamtubes and streamlines
Streamtube is an imaginary tube through which we consider airflow to travel (imaginary cut off of air flow around aerofoil).
Streamlines are lines of airflow, they cannot cross
Implication of streamlines being close together
High velocity, high dynamic pressure, low static pressure
Maximum camber
Maximum distance of the mean (camber) line from the chord line.
Expressed as a % of chord, with position expressed as distance from leading edge as % of chord.
Relative airflow
- direction
- effect of aircraft
- speed
aka Relative Wind or Free Stream Flow
- Direction is parallel and opposite direction to flight path (of CoG specifically)
- Condition is close to but unaffected by the aircraft
- Magnitude is TAS
Airflow other than relative airflow
If airflow doesn’t possess the 3 attributes of relative airflow, then it is effective airflow
Aerodynamic Incidence
aka Angle of Attack (represented as alpha)
Angle between chord line and RELATIVE airflow
Effective angle of attack
Angle between chord line and effective airflow
Upwash and downwash
Upwash is the flow of air upwards, towards the low pressure area above the wing, at the front of the wing.
Downwash is the downwards flow of air at the back of the wing.
Pressure diagram at low AoA
Pressure diagram at high AoA
Pressure diagram at critical AoA
Adverse pressure gradient
When pressure gradient causes air pressure movement against air flow direction.
i.e. at stall, high pressure area under wing “leaking” around trailing edge to upper surface, disturbing air flow and thus removing the negative pressure there
Formula for lift
Lift = C(L) x 1/2 x rho x V^2 x S
Movement of centre of pressure
CoP moves forwards as AoA increases and strong sucking force is created towards leading edge.
It is furthest forward at peak C(Lmax) and then moves backwards after the stall.
[Note: CoP for symmetrical aerofoil is static]
Centre of pressure for cambered vs symmetrical aerofoils
Centre of pressure for symmetrical aerofoils does NOT move with AoA.
Nature of C(L) and C(D)
Dimensionless numbers attributed to an aircraft (in a given state, e.g. flaps, AoA).
They are ratios between wing loading and dynamic pressure, and drag and dynamic pressure respectively.
Aerodynamic centre (AC)
The point where all changes in magnitude of lift force effectively take place. AND
The point about which pitching moment remains constant at ‘normal’ angles of attack.
How does pitching moment around AC remain constant?
As AoA increases, the lift force increases, but the CoP also moves forward. At normal angles of attack these balance to maintain the moment around the AC.
Location of AC
25% along chord line, regardless of aerofoil characteristics (as long as M < 0.4)
AC implication for symmetrical aerofoils
At zero lift/AoA a symmetrical aerofoil obviously has equal forces on both sides in equal positions, therefore also zero moment around AC.
As AoA increases, force increases on one side relative to the other, however moment around AC must be unchanged therefore zero, therefore pitching moment for symmetrical aerofoil at ‘normal’ angles of attack always zero.
Impact of roughness/icing on different parts of aerofoil
Roughness around the leading edge has a huge effect on C(Lmax), further back than about 20% from leading edge, the impact is minimal
Impact of icing on C(L) vs AoA profile
Impact of flaps on C(L) vs AoA profile
Description of impact of icing on C(L) profile
At low angles of attack the impact is negligible (i.e. normal C(L) vs AoA profile) as airflow more easily follows required profile at lower “deflection”.
However as AoA increases, the icing/frost/roughness has starts to impact ability of air to smoothly follow the aerofoil and C(Lmax) is reached sooner.
Description of impact of flaps on C(L) profile
Flaps increase lift and drag, but we’re only looking at lift, so C(L) is shifted higher along whole AoA curve. Higher C(Lmax) will be achievable, but it is at a slightly lower AoA (i.e. critical angle) than clean configuration.
Aspect ratio, 2 calculations
Wingspan (b) / Average Chord (c)
or Wingspan (b) ^ 2 / Wing Area (S)
Taper ratio
Tip Chord (C(T)) / Root Chord (C(R))
1 for rectangular, 0 for pointed tip
Sweep angle
Angle between root chord and the line 25% along chords (from leading edge)
What wing cross section gives lowest induced drag?
Elliptical
Mean geometric chord
Simply average chord
Mean aerodynamic chord (MAC)
The chord of a hypothetical rectangular wing with the same span which would have the same pitching moment characteristics.
Used to model longitudinal stability of aircraft (especially useful for swept wing aircraft).
Wing tip vortex directions
Start underside wing, flowing outwards towards wing tip, then upwards and back towards the fuselage, before going back down to complete the spiral.
For those at the wing tip the return towards fuselage flows over the top of the wing surface.
Induced downwash and effect
Trailing vortices create a downwash in the airflow under and behind the wing, which causes effective airflow to be at a higher angle than relative airflow. This requires an increased angle of attack to achieve the same amount of lift, compared to if there were no vortices.
Effective angle of attack
Induced angle of attack
The effective angle of attack is the angle between the chord and the effective air flow.
The difference between total AoA and effective AoA (i.e. chord to relative air flow) is the induced angle of attack, in other words the amount of additional AoA required to maintain lift as a result of induced downwash.
Diagram of alpha (induced & effective)
3D angle of attack vs 2D
For theoretical 2D study we use AoA = chord to relative airflow. Complications in 3D (wing twist, effective airflow) mean we take AoA to be longitudinal axis to relative airflow.
When is wake vortex generated?
From when nose wheel first lifts off until it first contacts the ground on landing.
Characteristics increasing vortex generation
- weight
- wingspan
- airspeed
- configuration
- attitude
Weight - higher is stronger
Wingspan - proximity of two trailing vortices
Airspeed - slower is stronger
Configuration - clean configuration stronger
Attitude - high AoA is stronger
Movement of trailing vortices at altitude
Remain around 3/4 of wingspan apart.
Drift downwards and level off around 500 to 1000ft below aircraft.
Up to 9nm behind large aircraft.
Movement of trailing vortices near ground
Within 1000ft of the ground they will contact the ground and drift outwards at about 5kts, +/- windspeed.
Impact of ground effect on vortices
Ground effect reduces downwash therefore minimising vortex generation. This is why induced drag is lower when in ground effect.
Ground effect limitations
Within about half a wing span
Lift reduction
Experienced when taking off, this is the loss of extra lift you were getting from ground effect.
Effect of downwash on tailplane and pitch moment
An increase in downwash (for example leaving ground effect) will deflect effective airflow over tailplane downwards (unless tailplane elevated high) decreasing effective AoA, creating a pitch up moment.
Impact of position error when landing and taking off (ground effect)
When entering ground effect pressure at static port will increase, causing under-read of altitude and under-read of ASI.
Opposite when taking off (existing ground effect).
Effect of thin wing on lift (@ given AoA) and shock wave speed.
Thin wings generate less lift at given AoA.
They will however fly faster before shock waves generated.
What does wing AoA control directly?
The distribution of pressure acting on the wing,
NOT the airflow above and below the wing.
3 types of parasite drag
Form (aka Pressure drag)
Friction
Interference
Profile drag
Includes form (aka pressure) drag and skin friction drag.
Doesn’t include interference drag.
Boundary layer definition
Airflow other than relative airflow, i.e. airflow impacted by the aircraft.
In laminar boundary layer this means the air is being given velocity due to viscosity of air and skin friction against the air layer touching the wing.
Transition point
Point at which boundary layer becomes turbulent
Kinetic energy and friction drag of turbulent flow relative to laminar flow
Higher kinetic energy and higher skin friction
Key factors in transition point location
- Surface condition - roughness causes turbulence downstream of that point
- Adverse pressure gradient - reverse flow prevents laminar flow
Transition point will be at the point of maximum curvature.
Separation point
Further back than the transition point, this is where the turbulent boundary layer separates.
Beyond this we get zero lift and high drag.
Separation point - 2 causes
When boundary layer has insufficient kinetic energy to overcome adverse pressure gradient.
Caused by increase in angle of attack or shock wave.
Cause of form (pressure) drag
Adverse pressure gradient at trailing edge creates low pressure area, whilst there is relatively high pressure at the leading edge, resulting in a force in the direction of lower pressure area (i.e. backwards).
Laminar vs turbulent separation
Turbulent layer actually has more kinetic energy than laminar thus more resistance to separation (due to adverse pressure gradient) than laminar flow.
This delays separation and allows higher AoA, but cost of increased friction drag is high.
Fineness ratio
This is the ratio of length to depth of a body as it relates to streamlining and reduction of form drag.
Optimal ratio is 3:1 (with round shape).
Formula for C(Di)
C(Di) = C(L) ^ 2 / AR
C(Di) = coefficient of induced drag
C(L) = coefficient of lift
AR = aspect ratio
Effect of increasing aspect ratio (AR) on AoA
Higher aspect ratio requires less AoA to generate the same C(L) due to decreased induced drag.
The higher downwash of low aspect ratio decreases effective AoA, reducing C(L). However this also increases the critical AoA. Max C(L) is lower but max AoA is higher.
Chart of C(L) vs AoA for different apsect ratios
Limiting factors of aspect ratio (AR)
- Increased wing bending moment forces
- Reduce rate of roll due to aerodynamic issues in roll
- Reduce ground clearance in roll during take off
Methods of reducing induced drag
Aspect ratio
Geometric washout
Wing end plates (higher AR with less wing bending moment)
Tip tanks
Winglets - create negative drag (i.e. thrust force), block tip vortices and create new vortices that counter them
Wing tip shape
Geometric vs aerodynamic washout
Geometric washout is change in angle of incidence along the wing.
Aerodynamic washout is a change in the aerofoil section along the wing.
Factors affecting parasite drag D(p)
Frontal area (i.e. configuration)
Speed (increases with square of speed)
Drag vs speed chart
C(L) vs C(D) graph and L/D(max) point
Effect of reduction in weight (e.g. fuel burn) on total drag chart and minimum drag speed V(MD) - chart
Effect of reduction in weight (e.g. fuel burn) on total drag chart and minimum drag speed V(MD) - description
Parasite drag unaffected by weight, relates only to speed.
Induced drag at a given speed is lower when weight is reduced, as the required lift is less.
This reduces total drag and reduces the speed at which induced and parasite drag are equal (i.e. V(MD)).
Effect of altitude on drag, V(MD)
No effect as V(MD) is based on IAS. TAS has to change to maintain IAS, but drag, V(MD) don’t vary in terms of IAS.
Effect of configuration (extending flaps/gear) on total drag chart and V(MD) - chart
Effect of configuration (extending flaps/gear) on total drag chart and V(MD) - description
Configuration doesn’t impact induced drag significantly.
However parasite drag is increased significantly at a given speed, pushing up total drag curve and reducing speed at which induced and parasite drag are equal (i.e. V(MD)).
Relationship between V(MD), speed stability and phases of flight
V(MD) on the drag chart represents the break point for speed stability (speed unstable to left, stable to right).
At approach we are close to V(MD) therefore speed instability is a concern.
Extending flaps, gear etc increases drag, but reduces V(MD) therefore helps with speed stability.
Relationship between power and drag
Power = work / time
= force * distance / time
= force * speed
Drag = force required
Therefore power = drag * TAS
Minimum power speed V(MP) vs minimum drag speed V(MD)
To get power vs speed curve, multiply each point on the drag vs IAS curve by TAS (assume IAS = TAS for simplicity) and the resulting low point will be at a lower speed.
So V(MP) < V(MD).
Flying at V(MP) results in more drag and less efficient flight, but lower power setting. Range will be reduced but endurance will increase.
Control usage to counter wing drop during stall in small and large (swept wing) aircraft
In small craft use rudder, aileron use is dangerous as can cause spin.
Larger craft have powerful rudder however and are designed to allow aileron usage up to “stall recognition”, therefore aileron + small amount of rudder can be used.
Stall recognition point indicators (3)
1) Nose-down pitch that cannot be readily arrested.
2) Buffeting strong enough to deter further speed reduction.
3) Pitch control reaches aft stop with no further increase in pitch attitude possible.
Stall speed for large aircraft
V(SR) - reference stall speed
Settings when determining V(CLmax) for V(SR) calculation
- thrust
- prop pitch
- CoG position
- flight speed trim
- deceleration rate
- zero thrust
- propeller pitch controls in TO config
- CoG position to maximise V(SR)
- Trimmed for flight speed 1.13 * V(SR) to 1.3 * V(SR)
- Decelerate by pulling back at max 1kt per second
Requirements for V(SW), speed at which stall warner operates
At least greater of 5% or 5kts above V(SR) when decelerating at less than 1kt per second.
If V(SR) is increased by 2% or 2kts above V(CLmax) due to stick pusher, only 3% or 3kts required (thus total 5%/5kts achieved vs V(CLmax)).
Additional stall warner requirements
Warning margin must be sufficient to allow pilot to prevent stalling when recovery initiated within 1 second in slow turns at 1.5g load factor, 2kts per second deceleration and trim for 1.3 * V(SR).
Must also operate in all normal configurations and also each abnormal configuration of high lift devices that might be in use due to system failures.
3 stall sensors
Flapper switch - activated when stagnation point moves past it
Angle of attack vane - Attached to side of fuselage, vane sits in streamline of relative airflow, detecting AoA
Angle of attack probe - Attached to side of fuselage, probe with slots sensitive to changes in relative airflow
[Wing mounted vain positioned on lower surface of leading edge]
Does stall sensor simply respond to reaching a set AoA?
Also considers rate of change of AoA, thus allowing additional warning in the case that AoA is increasing rapidly, allowing time for recovery.
Stall recovery roll limits & deceleration limits
- wings level
- 30 degree bank
- 60 degree bank
Roll occurring on recovery limited to:
Wing level: 20 degrees
30 deg turn: 60 deg or 30 opposite direction, <1kt/sec deceleration
60 deg turn: 90 or 60 opposite, >1kt/sec deceleration
Aerofoil section characteristics increasing aggression of stall (3)
- Sharp leading edge ratio
- Thin aerofoil relative to chord
- Maximum camber and thickness to the aft
Rectangular wing in stall
Large wing tips create strong, supported tip vortices, reducing effective AoA @ tips.
Thus root stalls first, CoP moves rearward therefore:
- Aileron’s remain effective
- Nose drops
- Aerodynamic buffet (separated air over roots hits the tailplane)
- No violent wing drop
Tapered wing in stall
Smaller wing tips mean relatively more vortices @ root and tips stall first.
Smaller rearward movement of CoP.
Problems therefore:
- Ailerons ineffective
- Limited pitch down
- Limited tailplane buffet
- Increased chance of wing drop
Solution to tapered wing stall issues (5)
- Geometric washout
- Variance of aerofoil section along wing (greater thickness & amber at root)
- Leading edge slots towards tip
- Stall strips near root
- Vortex generators
What are vortex generators?
Rows of small aerofoil shaped blades projecting around 2.5cm into airstream.
They create small vortices which mix high energy free stream flow with boundary layer, increasing its kinetic energy to delay separation.
Swept back wing in stall
- 2 effects and the result
Flow of air over wing from root to tip collides with vortex direction at tip, creating slow moving air and stall at the TIP.
Sweep back also means tips are aft of the root, so tip stall makes CoP move FORWARD.
This creates a dangerous pitch UP effect.
Solution to swept back wing stall issues
Need to prevent spanwise (root to tip) flow of boundary layer over the wing, keep it straight in line with relative airflow.
- Wing fences (boundary layer fences) sit on upper surface.
- Vortilons do a similar job on underside of wing (engine nacelles help)
- Saw tooth leading edge can create vortex over upper surface at high AoA that has the same effect.
Exam: Purpose of wing fences (etc.) on swept wings
Prevention of stall, thus “improving low speed handling characteristics”. Prevention of stall is naturally connected to low speed phases of flight. At high speed these stall problems are less relevant.
Deep (or super) stall
On swept back wing aircraft with high mounted tailplane, the pitch up stall tendency then leads to the tailplane falling into the turbulent air from the wing. This reduces effectiveness of elevator control and thus prevents a recovery from the stall.
C(L) vs AoA chart for swept wing vs normal
Stick pusher
Necessary device for super stall characteristic aircraft, as it is impossible to recover from a stall.
Provides 80lb forward push on elevator control in the stall before pilot can react.
Can be “dumped” by the pilot.
Relationship between V(s) and weight
Stall speed related to square root of weight.
Therefore if aircraft weight changes, multiply V(s) by sqrt(new weight / old weight).
Relationship between V(s) and bank angle
Lift factor increases by (1/cos(theta)).
So stall speed increases by sqrt of that.
To derive, consider that lift in the bank needs to be sufficient to keep the same vertical component. This makes the lift the hypoteneuse and vertical lift adjacent.
Effect of CoG position on stall speed
Forward CoG creates a nose down pitch (CoP is further back), requiring download from the elevators which has to be offset by increased lift from main wings, thus higher stall speed.
Effect of landing gear on stall speed
Profile drag of landing gear creates pitch down moment, thus download from the elevators, requiring increased lift from main wings and increasing stall speed.
Effect of engine power on stall speed
- prop
- jet
1) Propeller craft create slipstream over wings at high power (low speed) which delays the stall.
2) Jet engines have a vertical component of thrust due to low placed jet engines, supporting part of aircraft weight and delaying stall speed.
Effect of mach number (compressibility) on stall speed
Compressibility of air above mach 0.4 means upwash of streamline pattern is less effective and C(Lmax) reduces between Mach 0.4 and 1.0 (increases thereafter).
Thus over mach 0.4 stall speed increases.
Relationship between altitude and stall speed
- @ low altitude
- @ high altitude
V(s) is an IAS (not TAS) so doesn’t change with altitude at low altitude.
However at some point (around 30k ft) V(S) will rise above mach 0.4, where compressibility of air is an issue.
Above that altitude V(S) will increase with altitude.
Frost contamination effect on stall speed
Increases roughness of wing surface, reducing lift by up to 30% (stall speed by 10-15%) and increasing drag by 40%.
Skin friction decreases the kinetic energy of the boundary layer.
Ice contamination effect on stall speed
Affects the local contour of wing leading to severe adverse pressure gradients, as well as increasing skin friction.
Stall speed up to 30% larger.
Added weight also increases stall speed, but this is a secondary factor.
Snow contamination effect on stall speed
Similar effect to frost, although can also hide a layer of ice.
Snow will not blow off in taxi or takeoff!
Warning of ice induced stall
Stall AoA will reduce, so stall warner useless.
Buffeting may be experienced, but roll control is likely the first clue - increasing roll oscillation or violent wing drop.
Stabiliser stall due to ice
- Likelihood
- Effect
- Potential trigger
Likely to happen before main wing icing as it is thinner, so layer of ice has bigger impact.
Provides a down force (negative AoA) to balance moment forces, so effect is likely to be a pitch down.
Can be triggered by extending flaps which increases downwash and thus increases the negative AoA of the tailplane. Fix by putting flaps back up.
Heavy rain effect on flight
- Film of water increases weight up to 1-2%
- Rougher surface reduces C(Lmax)
- Drag increases 5% in light rain, up to 30% in heavy
- Downwards impact can also have a big effect
Negative tail stall
Approaching the stall aircraft attitude is nose up, requiring downforce from tailplane so must be negative AoA.
Negative tail stall is when this AoA reaches critical angle (in negative direction), thus losing downforce suddenly and leading to uncontrolled pitch down.
Canard configuration
Aerodynamic surfaces at nose of aircraft to provide balancing moment, alternative to tailplane forces.
Characteristics of canard layout on stalling
Canards must be designed to stall before the main wings and tailplane, otherwise they will prevent pitch down recovery from the stall.
Definition of a spin
A stall must occur before a spin can take place.
A spin will happen if one wing is more stalled than the other - leading it to drop and the aircraft to yaw in that direction, eventually an autorotation maintains the spin.
Spin initiated from roll
The downgoing wing in a roll has a different airflow and thus a higher angle of attack. This can initiate a spin.
Phases of a spin
Incipient spin - From the point of stalling until the spin is fully developed
Fully developed spin - Starts once angular rotation rate, airspeed and vertical descent speed are stable (same from one turn to the next)
Spin recovery - Starts when anti-spin forces overcome pro-spin forces
Impact of mass on spin
Higher mass means slower initial spin rate, but as spin progresses it may increase more and will take more time/altitude to recover.
Impact of CoG on spin
Forward CoG is more stable so less likely to spin, but stall speed is higher (nose down pitch).
Aft CoG makes the spin flatter (nose level pitch). Being aft of the limit can lead to flat spin, but at a very high yaw rate, which increases rate of descent and can render the rudder and elevator ineffective.
Consideration around spin recovery
Different aircraft may have very different spin characteristics so you must follow spin recovery procedure for the specific aircraft.
General spin recovery process
i) Throttle to idle
ii) Neutralise ailerons
iii) Full rudder against spin (turn coordinator, NOT balance ball)
iv) Elevator to neutral
When rotation stops:
v) Neutralise rudder
vi) Gradual back pressure on pitch control (too fast can stall, too slow can overspeed)
Which indicator to look at during spin
Turn coordinator needle, NOT balance ball!