Flight Simulation: Physics of Aircraft Games Fundamentals © by Jarek Francik Kingston University, London

photo by Arpingstone, Wikimedia Commons

Main Forces on Aircraft Thrust Weight Lift Drag

Main Forces on Aircraft Horizontal Forces: Thrust set by Trottle (no formula here)

Main Forces on Aircraft Horizontal Forces: Thrust set by Trottle (no formula here) Aerodynamic Drag the same formula was used for car simulation! v – air speed  – mass density of the air const S p – projected frontal area constC d – drag coefficient

Main Forces on Aircraft Horizontal Forces: Thrust set by Trottle (no formula here) Aerodynamic Drag the same formula was used for car simulation! v – air speed  – mass density of the air const S p – projected frontal area constC d – drag coefficient Drag coefficient is const but may increase with brakes and flaps

Main Forces on Aircraft Vertical Forces: Weight

Main Forces on Aircraft Vertical Forces: Weight Lift Force v – air speed  – mass density of the air const S w – wing area const C l – lift coefficient

Main Forces on Aircraft Vertical Forces: Weight Lift Force v – air speed  – mass density of the air const S w – wing area const C l – lift coefficient Pilot can control Lift Coefficient

Lift Force Aerodynamic Drag S p – projected frontal area C d – drag coefficient Lift Force S w – wing area C l – lift coefficient

Lift Force Source:

Lift Force & Attack Angle FLFL

FLFL angle of attack Angle of Attack affects: – Lift Coefficient (Lift Force value) – Lift Force direction

Lift Force & Angle Attack STALL image by Botag, Wikimedia Commons

Stall Reduction of the Lift Coefficient Occurs when the Critical Attack Angle is exceeded The Critical Angle Attack depends on the speed Two reasons for stall: – too high Angle Attack (typically over 15 o ) – too low speed Very dangerous, used intentionally in some types of aerobatic manoeuvres

Stall image by US Federal Government, Wikimedia Commons

Flight Control Systems & Manoeuvres photo by Jarek Francik

Aircraft Control Pitch Elevator changes Lift Coefficient image: Glen Research Center, NASA, Wikimedia Commons

Aircraft Control Roll Ailerons imposes Angular Momentum on the Wings image: Glen Research Center, NASA, Wikimedia Commons

Aircraft Control Roll Ailerons imposes Angular Momentum on the Wings

Aircraft Control Roll Ailerons imposes Angular Momentum on the Wings image: Glen Research Center, NASA, Wikimedia Commons

Aircraft Control Yaw Rudder imposes Angular Momentum on the Tail image: Glen Research Center, NASA, Wikimedia Commons

Aircraft Control More: – Flaps: change drag and lift coefficients, most often used to slow down before landing – Air Brakes: significantly change drag coefficients – Landing Gear – not exactly a flight control system, but will normally affect the drag coefficient – Ground Brakes (used to slow down on the runway)

Flight Simulator 2D DEMO