WAM Forum

Brian starts here a new thread about Basic Aeronautics. Watch for posts, and please reply to any questions you may have, to what eventuates!

Thanks Brian
For starters can you explain forces on any aircraft? I feel that is the absolute starting point in understanding flight.
Cheers JR

Here is the basics given in this image found on the web!



This picture tells it all! Sort of!


(PS. This is a thread that Brian wishes us all to participate in . . . but this is also an opportunity for me (AceTutor) to work with Brian and learn together how to use the FORUM features . . . like entering an image, etc)

So what do you mean by "sort of? Can you tell me more?

Hi, John .
In other words, each heading requires a separate discussion.  Take the term  LIFT for example.  LIFT is created when sufficient air speed. is passing over the wing surface  A PRESSURE  DIFFERENCE is created. Due to the greater distance over the top of the wing  when,compared to the underside of the wing.  The greater distance on the upper surface is responsible for creating a negative pressure, producing LIFT.  This is one of many factors to achieve the desired result!  

Regards  Brian.

What if it's a flat wing Brian? ?

A flat wing won't produce lift unless there's a positive angle of attack.

No difference in air pressure but still produces lift?...or negative air pressure produced simply because of the wing angle.?

Thanks Ken,
A flat wing is nowhere as efficient as a properly designed and developed air foil. A flat wing flies because of the angle attack to the air stream and forward motion. All air craft need forward motion to fly, either by ballast, in the case of a glider or by a motor/prop combination.
Brian

At uni the lecturer demo'd the stall characteristics of a flat wing compared to an airfoil. The flat wing stalled at a very shallow angle of attack compared to a proper airfoil. There was even a difference between symmetrical and flat-bottomed.