Activity 1.2.

5 Aerodynamic Forces
Answer Key
Introduction
Aircraft take flight through their ability to generate lift. As fluid flows over an airfoil, lift
and drag are generated, which can be calculated using the lift equation.

Equipment
 PC with Internet connection
 Pencil
 Calculator
 Notes from Aerodynamic Forces presentation

Procedure
1. A Boeing 777-200LR loaded to 92% of its maximum take-off weight takes off
from Dubai International Airport (24.4 m elevation) during an average day in July
(34.5 OC) with a standard pressure day (101.3 kPa). Assume that the take off
speed is 376 kmph. What is the minimum coefficient of lift needed at the point
where the aircraft just lifts off the ground? A 777-200 has a maximum take-off
weight is 347,452 kg and its wing area is 427.8 m 2.
777-200 maximum take-off weight is 347,452 kg and the wing area is 427.8
m2.
Source:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/777.htm and
http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/stats.main?id=106
w=0.92 mg
m
(
w=0.92 ( 347,452 kg ) 9.81
s2 )
w=3,135,825 N

m
v=
(
376 kph 1000
km )
min s
hr ( min )
60 60

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 m
v=104.4
s

Dubai runway elevation is 34 ft (24.4 m)

Source: http://www.world-airport-codes.com/united-arab-emirates/dubai-
2003.html
Dubai average summer temperature is 34.5 OC (average high and low).
Source:
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/mo
nthly/graph/AEXX0004

Calculate air density:

p
ρ=
J K
0.2869 ( T +273.1℃ )
kg ( K ) ℃
101.29 kPa
ρ=
J K
0.2869 ( 34.5 ℃ +273.1℃ )
kg ( K ) ℃
kg
ρ=1.148
m3

Calculate coefficient of lift assuming that lift equals weight:

2L
C L=
Aρ v 2
2 ( 3,135,825 N )
C L= 2
kg m
2
(
427.8 m 1.148 3 104.4
m )( s )
C L =1.17

2. If the same aircraft has a coefficient of lift of 1.24. How much lift is available for
climbing off the runway?
Calculate lift with new coefficient of lift:
2L
C L=
Aρ v 2
C L Aρ v 2
L=
2

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 2
kg m

L=
2
(
1.24 ( 427.8 m ) 1.148 3 104.4
m s )( )
2
L=3,318,756 N

Calculate extra lift available:

Lextra=L Actual −LMinimum
Lextra=3,318,756 N −3,135,825 N
L=182,931 N

3. The same aircraft lands in Hong Kong (5.8 m elevation) after a long flight (over
5,950 km) that used 82,900 liters (21,900 gallons of fuel). What is the minimum
speed that the aircraft can land? Assume the same 1.24 coefficient of lift and that
that the jet fuel burned weighs 0.803 kg/l (6.7 lb/gal).
Hong Kong runway elevation is 19 ft (5.8 m)
Source: http://www.world-airport-codes.com/hong-kong/hong-kong-
international-2981.html
Hong Kong average summer temperature is 91 OF (32.8 OC) (average high
and low). Air density is 0.0716 lbm/ft3
Source:
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/mo
nthly/graph/AEXX0004

Calculate air density:

p
ρ=
J K
0.2869 ( T +273.1℃ )
kg ( K ) ℃
101.29 kPa
ρ=
J K
0.2869 ( 32.8 ℃ +273.1 ℃ )
kg ( K ) ℃
kg
ρ=1.154
m3

Calculate the mass of fuel burned:

kg
(
mass fuel =82,900 l 0.803
l )
mass fuel =66,569 kg

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 Calculate the mass of aircraft:
mass aircraft =0.92 ( 347,452 kg )−66,569 kg
mass aircraft =253,087 kg

Calculate the weight of the aircraft:

w=ma
m
w=( 253,087 kg ) 9.81
( s2 )
w=2,482,782 N

2L
C L=
Aρ v 2
2L
v=
√ AρC l

2 ( 2,482,782 N )
v=

√
v=90.1
( kg
427.8 m2 1.154 3 ( 1.24 )

m
m )
s

m min s
v=
90.1
s
60 (
hr
60
min )( )
m
1000
km
km
v=324
hr

4. How much drag will that same aircraft produce on landing in Hong Kong? Use
the landing speed calculated in the previous question and assume that the
coefficient of drag is 0.087.
2D
CD=
Aρ v 2
C D Aρ v 2
D=
2
2
kg m

D=
2
(
0.087 ( 427.8 m ) 1.154 3 90.1
m s )( )
2
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D=174,335 N

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Conclusion
1. Describe how the coefficient of lift could be changed to lower the landing speed
in the example.
The pilot would typically lower the flaps to increase the coefficient of lift
(and drag) to lower the landing speed.

2. What factors would change the aircraft drag in this calculations?

Answers will vary. Examples include the following. Aircraft could have
landed with a higher speed and significantly increased drag. Aircraft could
have used a different flap setting and changed the coefficient of drag
therefore changing the resulting drag.

3. Explain any surprises you discovered about the magnitude of the figures used in
the question.
Answers will vary. Examples include the following. The fuel consumption
was very high e.g. 82,900 liters (21,900 gallons) of fuel is the equivalent of
filling over 1,500 vehicle gas tanks for one flight. The fully loaded aircraft
weighs as much as 193 cars (1800 kg / car or ~4000 lb / car).

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