Advanced Aerodynamics
Fundamental Flight Maneuvers Straight and Level Turns Climbs Descents
Four Aerodynamic Forces Lift Thrust Drag Weight When are they in equilibrium?
Four Aerodynamic Forces In steady-state or unaccelerated straight and level flight What happens when you initiate a climb?
Four Aerodynamic Forces Lift briefly exceeds weight. Rearward component of the Lift adds to drag Upward component of Thrust is called the Lift of Thrust
Four Aerodynamic Forces Once the climb is established, the forces are again balanced
Lift Which of Newton’s laws of motion are used to describe lift?
Lift Second law of motion says that a force results whenever a mass is accelerated F = ma Third law states for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
Bernoulli’s Principle As the velocity of a fluid increase, its internal pressure decreases High pressure under the wing and lower pressure above the wing’s surface
Lift In what direction does lift act? Perpendicular to the relative wind Drag acts parallel to the flight path in the same direction as the relative wind
Lift Angle of incidence Angle of attack Washout
Lift Equation L = CLV2r/2 S If the angle of attack and other factors remain constant and airspeed is doubled lift will be four times greater
Controlling Lift What are four ways commonly used to control lift?
Controlling Lift Increase airspeed Change the angle of attack Change the shape of the airfoil Change the total area of the wings
Angle of Attack Directly controls the distribution of pressure acting on a wing. By changing the angle of attack, you can control the airplane’s lift, airspeed and drag.
Angle of Attack Angle of attack at which a wing stalls remains constant regardless of weight, dynamic pressure, bank angle or pitch attitude.
Angle of Attack When the angle of attack of a symmetrical airfoil is increased, the center of pressure will remain unaffected.
Angle of Attack At high angle of attack, pressure increases below the wing, and the increase in lift is accompanied by an increase in induced drag.
Flaps What are the four types of flaps found on general aviation aircraft?
Flaps Plain Split Slotted Fowler
Leading Edge Devices Slot Slats Leading Edge Flaps
Drag Induced drag is a by-product of lift and is greatly affected by changes of airspeed.
Wing Planform Name several wing shapes and their advantages?
Wing Planform Elliptical - Excellent load distribution for high-G maneuvering and low drag for high speeds Rectangular - stall first at root, least expensive
Wing Planform Tapered - Favorable stall characteristics with good load distribution, saves weight Delta - supersonic flight
Wing Planform How do you find the Aspect Ratio of an airplane?
Wing Planform Found by dividing the wingspan by the average cord. What is a typical aspect ratio for typical training aircraft? Gliders?
Wing Planform Gliders - 20 to 30 Training Aircraft - 7 to 9
Wing Planform What is sweep? A line connecting the 25% cord points of all the wing ribs which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plane is said to be swept The sweep can be forward but most are back
Wing Planform What is a device that is used to block or diffuse wing tip vortices?
Wing Planform Winglets Winglets can increase fuel efficiency at high speeds at altitudes by as much as 16 to 26%
Ground Effect Where is ground effect found?
Ground Effect Within one wingspan of the ground An airplane leaving ground effect will experience an increase in what kind of drag?
Ground Effect Induced Drag Induced Drag is only about half of its usual value when the wing is at 10% of its span above the ground
Drag What kind of drags rate of increase is proportional to the square of the airspeed?
Drag What kind of drags rate of increase is proportional to the square of the airspeed? Parasite Drag What kinds of drag make up parasite Drag
Drag Form Drag - based on the shape of the plane, how well streamlined and amount of frontal area.
Drag Interference Drag - created when the airflow around one part of the airplane interacts with the airflow around another. Skin Friction Drag - surface friction
Total Drag The sum of the induced drag and the parasite drag. Total drag is lowest at the airspeed which produces the highest ratio of lift to drag L/Dmax
Total Drag Best power-off glide range Greatest Range
High Drag Devices Spoilers Speed Brakes
Spoilers What are the advantages of using spoilers?
Spoilers Rapid descent without reducing power, engine stays warm Maintain normal descent speed Help slow to landing gear extension speed Descent rapidly through icing Stay at high altitudes longer
Thrust Opposes drag. If greater than drag, the airplane is accelerating A pound of Thrust must be available for each pound of drag.
Thrust Power is the rate at which work is done. It takes less power to do the same amount of work at a slower rate.
Propeller Efficiency High angle of attack at root, low angle of attack at tip Elliptical planform High Aspect ratio
Max Level Flight Speed Intersection of the Power or Thrust required curve with the Power or Thrust available curve.
Load Factor Ratio between the lift generated by the wings at any given time divided by the total weight of the airplane.
Load Factor What is the relationship between a heavily loaded airplane and stall speed compared to a lightly loaded airplane?
Load Factor A heavily loaded plane stalls at a higher speed than a lightly loaded airplane. It needs a higher angle of attack to generate required lift at any given speed than when lightly loaded.
Calculating VA VA2 = VA W2 / W1 VA2 = Maneuvering speed ( at this weight) Calculating VA
Calculating VA VA = Maneuvering speed at Maximum weight W2 = Actual Airplane Weight W1 = Maximum Weight
V-G Diagram Relates velocity to load factor Applies to one airplane type Valid for a specific weight, configuration and altitude
Aircraft Stability Static Stability Dynamic Stability
Aircraft Stability Longitudinal Stability Stable in pitch or stable about the lateral axis Motion of the plane controlled by the elevators
Aircraft Stability Achieved by locating the center of gravity slightly ahead of the center of lift Need a tail down force on the elevator
Aircraft Stability Lateral stability Return to wings level following a roll deviation Dihedral Low wing aircraft have more Sweep
Aircraft Stability Sweep may be used when dihedral would be inappropriate such as in an aerobatic airplane that needs lateral stability while inverted
Aircraft Stability Directional Stability Vertical tail and sides of the fuselage contribute forces which help to keep the longitudinal axis aligned with the relative wind.
Flight Maneuvers Straight and Level To maintain altitude while airspeed is being reduced, the angle of attack must be increased
Flight Maneuvers Climbs Transitioning to a climb, angle of attack increases and lift momentarily increases Thrust acts along the flight path
Climb Performance Decreases with altitude Absolute Ceiling Service Ceiling
Turns What force turns an airplane?
Turns The horizontal component of lift. Load Factor and Turns The relationship between angle of bank , load factor, and stall speed is the same for all airplanes
Turns Rate and radius Steeper bank reduces turn radius and increases the rate of turn, but produces higher load factors
Turns A given airspeed and bank angle will produce a specific rate and radius of turn in any airplane Adverse Yaw
Stalls Angle of attack Power-on stalls Power-off stalls Accelerated stall
Stalls Secondary stall Cross-controlled stall Elevator trim stall
Stalls Total weight, load factor, and CG location affect stall speed
Spins Incipient spin Fully developed spin Spin recovery What type of spin can result if the CG is too far aft and the rotation is around the CG?
Spins Flat Spin Spin Recovery
Spin Recovery Throttle to idle Neutralize the ailerons Determine the direction or rotation Apply full opposite rudder
Spin Recovery Apply forward elevator As rotation stops, neutralize the rudder Gradually apply aft elevator to return to level flight
One of the main functions of flaps during the approach and landing is to .
A. decrease lift, thus enabling a steeper-than- normal approach to be made. B. decrease the angle of descent without increasing the airspeed. C. provide the same amount of lift at a slower airspeed
One of the main functions of flaps during the approach and landing is to C. provide the same amount of lift at a slower airspeed
Which is true regarding the use of flaps during level turns?
A. The raising of flaps increases the stall speed. B. The lowering of flaps increases the stall speed. C. Raising flaps will require added forward pressure on the yoke or stick.
Which is true regarding the use of flaps during level turns? A. The raising of flaps increases the stall speed.
A rectangular wing, as compared to other wing planforms, has a tendency to stall first at the
A. center trailing edge, with the stall progression outward toward the wing root and tip. B. wing root, with the stall progression toward the wing tip. C. wingtip, with the stall progression toward the wing root.
A rectangular wing, as compared to other wing planforms, has a tendency to stall first at the B. wing root, with the stall progression toward the wing tip.
By changing the angle of attack of a wing, the pilot can control the airplane's A. lift, airspeed, and CG. B. lift and airspeed, but not drag. C. lift, airspeed, and drag.
By changing the angle of attack of a wing, the pilot can control the airplane's C. lift, airspeed, and drag.
The angle of attack of a wing directly controls the A. amount of airflow above and below the wing. B. angle of incidence of the wing. C. distribution of pressures acting on the wing.
The angle of attack of a wing directly controls the C. distribution of pressures acting on the wing.
The angle of attack at which a wing stalls remains constant regardless of
A. dynamic pressure, but varies with weight, bank angle, and pitch attitude. B. weight, dynamic pressure, bank angle, or pitch attitude. C. weight and pitch attitude, but varies with dynamic pressure and bank angle.
The angle of attack at which a wing stalls remains constant regardless of B. weight, dynamic pressure, bank angle, or pitch attitude.
The need to slow an aircraft below VA is brought about by the following weather phenomenon:
A. Turbulence which causes a decrease in stall speed. B. High density altitude which increases the indicated stall speed. C. Turbulence which causes an increase in stall speed.
The need to slow an aircraft below VA is brought about by the following weather phenomenon: C. Turbulence which causes an increase in stall speed.
Stall speed is affected by A. angle of attack, weight, and air density. B. weight, load factor, and power. C. load factor, angle of attack, and power.
Stall speed is affected by B. weight, load factor, and power.
The stalling speed of an airplane is most affected by A. variations in airplane loading. B. variations in flight altitude. C. changes in air density.
The stalling speed of an airplane is most affected by A. variations in airplane loading.
An airplane will stall at the same
A. airspeed regardless of the attitude with relation to the horizon. B. angle of attack and attitude with relation to the horizon. C. angle of attack regardless of the attitude with relation to the horizon.
An airplane will stall at the same C. angle of attack regardless of the attitude with relation to the horizon.
In a rapid recovery from a dive, the effects of load factor would cause the stall speed to A. not vary. B. increase. C. decrease.
In a rapid recovery from a dive, the effects of load factor would cause the stall speed to B. increase.
Recovery from a stall in any airplane becomes more difficult when its A.elevator trim is adjusted nosedown. B.center of gravity moves forward. C.center of gravity moves aft
Recovery from a stall in any airplane becomes more difficult when its C.center of gravity moves aft
(Refer to figure 2.) Select the correct statement regarding stall speeds.
A. Power-off stalls occur at higher airspeeds with the gear and flaps down. B. In a 60° bank the airplane stalls at a lower airspeed with the gear up. C. Power-on stalls occur at lower airspeeds in shallower banks.
(Refer to figure 2.) Select the correct statement regarding stall speeds. C. Power-on stalls occur at lower airspeeds in shallower banks.
Refer to figure 2.) Select the correct statement regarding stall speeds. The airplane will stall
A. 10 knots higher in a 45° bank, power-on stall, than in a wings-level stall. B. 10 knots higher in a power-on, 60° bank, with gear and flaps up, than with gear and flaps down. C. 25 knots lower in a power-off, flaps-up, 60° bank, than in a power-off, flaps-down, wings-level configuration.
Refer to figure 2.) Select the correct statement regarding stall speeds. The airplane will stall B. 10 knots higher in a power-on, 60° bank, with gear and flaps up, than with gear and flaps down.