Airframes and Their Characteristics Unmanned Aerial Systems club

To Promote Safe Flying

Airframes and Characteristics!! Wing Airfoils Semi-symmetrical Symmetrical Flat bottom Under-camber Airframes Flying wings Deltas High wing planes Low wing planes

Semi-Symmetrical Airfoils The mean camber line is above the chord Primarily used on secondary trainer aircraft, sailplanes, and sport planes Uneven airfoil is enough to generate lift, but not enough to sacrifice speed

Symmetrical Airfoils The mean camber line is the same line as the chord No lift generated from straight flight Commonly used in aerobatic planes 3d aircraft Pattern planes

Flat Bottom Airfoils The mean camber line is much higher than the chord Generates more lift than semi-symmetrical airfoils Commonly used in trainer planes Used to achieve slow, gentle flight characteristics

Under-Camber Airfoils Both upper and lower cambers are higher than the chord Generates the most lift of the four Flies very slowly Used in trainer planes and some older scale models

Flying Wings Designed to fly fast Tip stalls easily (especially without wing tips) Need airspeed to fly well

Delta Airframes Capable of slower flight than flying wings Still tip stalls, but not as bad as wings Possibility of adding rudder control

High Wing Planes Vs Low Wing Planes Shorter take-off and landing distance Inherently more stable Arguably less aerobatic Low Wing Planes Longer take-off and landing distance Less stable Arguably more aerobatic