1. Simulating Flight
Wind Tunnel

2. Four Forces of Flight
Wind Tunnel

3. Factors Affecting Lift
Lift is generated by:
The wing’s Shape
The Angle that it presents to the air
Its Velocity (speed)
Its Area (how large)
The Altitude at which it is flying
Equation
Lift = CL * A * ½ V2 * R
Which of these is variable and which are constants?
Wind Tunnel

4. The Wind Tunnel
Wind Tunnel

5. What is a Wind Tunnel?
A tube-like structure in which wind is produced, usually by a large fan.
Wind tunnels test models of airfoils (wings, etc.) as well as the entire airplane
before they are built, to see if they are safe enough to put on an aircraft for pilots to fly.
Wind Tunnel

6. The Wright Brother’s Wind Tunnel
Tested hundreds of shapes
Determined best airfoil
Renewed confidence
Wind Tunnel

7. Virtually all Aircraft use wind tunnel testing before they are built

8. NASA 40x80 in Sunnyvale, CA
Wind Tunnel

9. Why Use a Wind Tunnel A wind tunnel is a controlled environment
a place where conditions can be kept the same while tests are being performed
less expensive to build a model than to build a huge aircraft and then find your idea doesn’t work.
Wind Tunnel

10. Many different sizes
Wind Tunnel

11. Controls
Test Section
Relative Wind
Computer
Wind Tunnel

12. Reviewing Terms
Wind Tunnel

13. Symmetrical Airfoil Establishes Baseline
Wind Tunnel

14. Cambered Airfoil Proves Bernoulli
Wind Tunnel

15. Angle of Attack
Wind Tunnel

16. Speed at Surface
Wind Tunnel

17. Lift Verses Airspeed
Wind Tunnel

18. Assignment
From your Wind Tunnel handout, describe as much as you can about the information shown in each area (A through D).
Even if you are unsure of some areas, try to recall as much as you can.
Wind Tunnel

19. 0.0
0.0
Wind Tunnel

20. Wind Tunnel

21. Wind Tunnels make great science projects!