Basic Components of an Airfoil:

1. Leading Edge: The front part of the airfoil where air first makes contact. It's
typically rounded to smoothly guide the air around the airfoil.
2. Trailing Edge: The rear part of the airfoil where air exits. It's also important for
maintaining airflow attachment.
3. Chord Line: An imaginary straight line connecting the leading and trailing edges.
4. Camber: The curvature of the airfoil. If the airfoil has camber, it means it is not
symmetric from top to bottom. Cambered airfoils generate more lift than
symmetric ones.
5. Angle of Attack (AOA): The angle between the chord line and the oncoming air.
Changing the angle of attack can change the lift and drag characteristics of the
airfoil.
Types of Airfoils:
1. Symmetric Airfoils: These have the same shape on the upper and lower surfaces
and generate lift equally regardless of the direction of airflow. They are often used
in applications where lift is not the primary concern, such as tail surfaces of an
aircraft.
2. Cambered Airfoils: These have a curved shape, with the upper surface being
more curved than the lower surface. Cambered airfoils generate lift due to the
pressure difference created by the curved surfaces.
3. High-Lift Airfoils: These are designed for maximum lift and are often used
during takeoff and landing. They typically have increased camber and sometimes
include devices like flaps and slats to enhance lift at lower speeds.
4. Supercritical Airfoils: These airfoils are designed to delay the onset of wave drag
at high subsonic speeds. They have a flattened upper surface, which helps
minimize drag and improve fuel efficiency.
5. Reentry Airfoils: Specifically designed for vehicles reentering the Earth's
atmosphere, these airfoils are optimized for high-speed flight in the rarefied
atmosphere.
6. Turbine Blades: In gas turbines, airfoils are used in the form of turbine blades.
These are carefully designed to efficiently extract energy from the high-velocity
gases produced by combustion.
Understanding the aerodynamics of different airfoils is essential in aircraft and
aerospace engineering. Engineers carefully select or design airfoils based on the
specific requirements of an aircraft or aerofoil application, considering factors like
lift, drag, stability, and efficiency across various flight conditions.