Principles of Flight Flashcards
Convert 1 nm to m
1nm = 1852 m
Convert 1 m to ft
1m = 3.28 ft
Convert 1 kg to lbs
1 kg = 2.205 lbs
Convert m/s to kts
m/s = 0.5144 * knots
Newton’s first law?
Body will remain in rest or uniform motion unless acted on by an external force
Newton’s second law?
The acceleration of a body in a straight line is proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass
Newton’s third law?
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
What is power?
Force * Speed
What happens to streamlines when faster air is flowing?
They move closer together
What is mass flow?
Avrho = AreaVelocityDensity
What is dynamic pressure?
‘Kinetic energy’ of air:q = 1/2 * rho * v^2
Convert C to Kelvin?
K = C + 273
What happens to density with increasing humidity?
Density decreases.
ISA mean sea temp?
15C
ISA mean sea pressure?
1013.25 hPa
ISA Mean sea density?
1.225 kg/m^3
ISA Lapse rate?
1.98 C per 1000 ft
Temp of tropopause?
-56.5 C
Difference between true and indicated airspeeds?
Indicated airspeeds are derived from dynamic pressure, can be affeced by density, measuring the ‘energy of the air’, ruler bend effect.True airspeed is the fixed speed of the aircraft in terms of metres/second instead of molecules it passes affected by density.
How is dynamic pressure related to true airspeed and indicated airspeed?
q = 1/2 * rho * (TAS)^2 ~ (IAS)^2So as density drops with altitude, to maintain IAS for flight TAS must increase!
What are the differences between the different airspeeds?
Remember ICE T IPCD (Ice T is pretty cool drink)Ias Cas Instroument & Pressure error removed you getEas Compressibility error removed you getTas Density error removedRemove instrument error from IAS you get CAS, remove Pressure error from CAS you get EAS, remove Compressibility error from
How is IAS related to TAS and density?
IAS = TAS * sqrt(rho/rho0)As you go higher, hitting less particles (IAS) so pressure ratio must get less.
What remains constant through a venturi?
Total pressure (dynamic + static) because we can’t create or destroy energy.Mass flow remains the same (Avrho).
Why does velocity increase in throat of venturi?
Because mass flow remains the same, area decreases so velocity must increase.As a consequence, dynamic pressure increases, and because total pressure must remain constant, static pressure must drop.
What does Bernoulli’s principle state?
Energy in flow must remain constant
How do we use Bernoulli’s principle to generate lift?
Similar to venturi,Faster moving air on the top surface of the wing increases dynamic pressure, reducing static pressure to conserve total pressure.Higher static pressure below the wing causes net force upwards.
How is air density related to Pressure and temperature?
rho ~ p/T
What is pressure drag (form drag)?
The effect of viscosity on the air causes air to lose energy as it goes over the camber.This means that the airflow breaks away at the rear of the cylinder producing wake turbulence.Air behind has velocity now so there is a static pressure inbalance causing form drag.
What is a stagnation point?
A point where the dynamic pressure is at 0. (Flow stops)Static pressure is now total pressure and is at a maximum.
What is leading edge radius?
The leading edge is usually round, the leading edge radius is the radius of the circle on the leading edge.Larger radius less energy lost as less abrubt change in directionHigh speed - Smaller radiusLow speed - Higher radius
What is the chord line?
An imaginary straight line drawn between the centre of the leading edge and the trailing edge.
What is the chord?
The chord is the distance between the leading edge and trailing edge.
What happens at the point of maximum thickness on a wing?
Airflow accelerates the most, maximum lift due to lowest static pressure
What is angle of attack?
Angle between the chord line and the relative air flow
What is the camber line?
An equidistant line between the upper and lower surfaces of the aerofoil.
What is camber?
Distance between the camber line and the chord line.
Name 2 types of camber wing
Positive camberSymmetrical camber
What is thickness to chord ratio?
Ratio of maximum thickness to length of chord
What thickness to chord ratio do low speed wings have?
Higher because airflow over top acclerates faster than below at slower speeds (more lift at lower speeds)
What is the total reaction?
The sum of all the unbalanced forces over the entire aerofoil and it acts through the centre of pressure.
What is the centre of pressure?
The average point where all the unbalanced forces on the wing act.
Where is the centre of pressure on a symmetrical wing?
25% along the chord line
On a symmetric wing what happens to centre of pressure with increasing angles of attack?
Remains in the same place
On a cambered wing what happens to the centre of pressure with increased angles of attack?
As we have to accelerate more air over front, lower static pressure on front so the centre of pressure moves forward.
How can we increase total reaction?
SpeedAngle of attack
What two forces comprise the total reaction?
Lift (Acting perpendicular to RAF)Drag (Acting paralell to RAF)
How is total reaction different on a cambered wing vs symmetrical at 0 degrees angle of attack?
We still get the generation of lift as there is a total reaction present still.
Why does angle of attack increase total reaction?
Greater proportion of air accelerates over the top of the aerofoil increasing pressure differential.
What happens to stagnation point with angle of attack?
Goes lower down the leading edgeOn a cambered wing it pushes centre of pressure forwardOn symmetric it keeps centre of pressure the same same
Why is the stagnation point lower on a cambered wing?
Because of the effect of upwash
On a cambered aerofoil what happens to centre of pressures with increasing angle of attack?
Centre of pressure moves forwardSuction point (lowest pressure point) moves forward
What happens to the centre of pressure on a cambered wing with decreasing angles of attack?
Centre of Pressure Moves backwards
Which two forces increase with angle of attack?
Total reaction which is comprised of:Lift and drag
What is the equation for aerodynamic force?
F = 1/2 * rho * v^2 * S * C = qSCWhere C is the coeficient of aerodynamic force.
What 3 things effect coefficient of lift?
Angle of attackCamberThickness
What is the coefficient of aerodynamic force as a ratio?
Ratio of surface pressure to dynamic pressure
How can we write the equation of lift in terms of IAS?
L ~ (IAS)^2SC
How does coefficient of life vary with angle of attack?
Increases linearly with angle of attack up to stalling angle at C_lmax (max coefficient of lift) where the lift will no longer support the weight
Which forces act through the centre of pressure?
Lift and drag
Where must the centre of pressure be in relation to the centre of gravity?
Centre of pressure must be behind centre of gravity so the aircraft has a nose down tendency
How does the coefficient of lift change for a thicker aerofoil?
Maximum coefficient of lift increasesStalling angle of attack increases
How does camber effect the coefficient of lift?
Produce lift at 0 alpha (Angle of attack)C_lmax higher - max coefficient of lift occurs at higher angle of attack
What is the centre of pressure range for a cambered wing?
23-27% along the chord line
How do flaps increase the coefficient of lift?
They change camber length by changing the chord line
How do flaps affect the Coefficient of lift vs AoA graph?
Cl line is higher/steeper but the critical Angle of attack is smaller
What is surface friction drag?
To do with the boundary layerDue to the viscosity of air, it decelerates as it gets closer to the aerofoil surface.
What is form drag caused by?
Static pressure to the rear of the aerofoil is lower (turbulent airflow with velocity -> higher q) than at the front stagnation point, causing a net force rearwards.
Where does skin friction occur?
Within the boundary layer
What is the drag equation?
D = qSC = 1/2rhov^2SC ~ (IAS)^2SCWhere D is the drag force and C is the coefficient of drag.
What is Cd as a ratio (Coefficient of drag)?
Ratio of drag per unit area and unit dynamic pressure
What type of force is produced between layers in the boundary layer?
Shear force creating drag
What defines the boundary layer?
Where the layer is 99% of the free stream flow.
What type of forces does the boundary layer contain?
Shear forces felt as drag
Where do all the effects of skin friction drag take place?
Within the boundary layerBoundary layer where 99% of the free stream flow is and below
How many forms does the boundary layer have?
2 forms, laminar and turbulent.Boundary layer starts off as laminar flow with velocity increasing steadily up to free stream flow.At some point along the surface we get a turbulent flow, this is unsteady so the layers become mixed.
What are the characteristics of the laminary boundary layer?
Slippery with low energy and drag
What are the characteristics of the turbulent boundary layer?
Draggy with high energy and dragBecause it’s mixing with faster air above