The Aerofoil & Lift Flashcards
What is an Aerofoil?
A part of an aircraft designed to produce lift.
A device which gets a useful reaction from Air moving over its surface
Name some Aerofoils?
Wing
Tail surfaces
Propellers
What is the forward rounded part of an Aerofoil called?
The leading edge
What is the angle of incidence?
The angle at which the wing is attached to the fuselage
The rear part is called?
The trailing edge
What is the chord line?
It joins the leading and trailing edges
What is the angle of attack (AoA)?
The angle formed by the chord line and the relative airflow
What is the longitudinal axis?
The line through the fuselage if the aircraft from nose to tail.
What is the aerofoil destined to do?
Increase the velocity of the airflow over its top surface, reducing pressure.
What produces lift?
A combination of pressure decrease (above) and increase (below the wing) produces lift.
What is laminar flow?
The smooth uninterrupted flow of air over the contour of the wings of an aircraft in flight.
What happens in the laminar flow is interrupted?
Turbulence is created, resulting in a loss of lift, and increases drag.
What is a laminar aerofoil?
An aerofoil designed for minimum drag and a smooth flow over the boundary layer.
What is the angle of attack?
The angle between the chord line and relative wind
When is a wing said to be stalled?
When the critical angle of attack (AoA) is reached, and the laminar flow breaks away from the wing.
