Aerodynamics

Basic Aircraft System

Basic Aerodynamics Introduction
Aerodynamics is the way objects move through air. The rules of
aerodynamics explain how an airplane is able to fly. Anything that moves
through air is affected by aerodynamics, from a rocket blasting off, to a
kite flying. Since they are surrounded by air, even cars are affected by
aerodynamics.
Aerodynamic Forces on an Aircraft
Basically aerodynamics works as four forces on an aircraft. Which are _
 Lift
 Weight
 Thrust
 Drag
Aerodynamics of Lift of an Aircraft
Lift is the force that directly opposes the weight of an airplane and
holds the airplane in the air. For lift of an aircraft_
• It must increase the downward momentum of the air
• Airfoils Can increase downward momentum easily
Aerodynamics of Lift of an Aircraft
This flow of fluid (air) on the airfoil of an aircraft wing follows the
Bernoullie’s Principle of fluid dynamics. It states that that an increase in
the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure
or a decrease in the fluid's potential energy.
Aerodynamics of Lift of an Aircraft
Lift :
Weight Force
In flight, the airplane rotates about the center of gravity, but the
direction of the weight force always remains toward the center of the
earth. During a flight the aircraft burns up its fuel, so the weight of the
airplane constantly changes.
Weight Force
The entire weight of any aircraft works on the center of gravity of an
aircraft. It does not what is orientation, the weight will always work on
the center of gravity of an aircraft.
Aerodynamics of Thrust
Thrust is the force which moves an aircraft through the air. Thrust is
used to overcome the drag of an airplane, and to overcome the weight
of a rocket. Thrust is generated by the engines of the aircraft through
some kind of propulsion system.
Aerodynamics of Thrust
In an aircraft, the engine and it’s propellers mainly generates thrust.
Here air at lower pressure goes into the engine and exits at a higher
pressure at the end of the engine.
Aerodynamics of Thrust
Thrust :
Aerodynamics of Thrust
The direction of thrust is opposite of the force that generates it.
Aerodynamics of Drag
Drag is the force that resists movement of an aircraft through the air.
There are two basic types: parasite drag and induced drag. The first is
called parasite because it in no way functions to aid flight, while the
second, induced drag, is a result of an airfoil developing lift.
Aerodynamics of Drag
Parasite Drag : Here drag increases proportionately to velocity
Induced Drag : Here drag decreases disproportionate to velocity
Aerodynamics of Drag
Apart from the mentioned drag, there is also another drag that woks on a
fast moving aircraft known as wave drag. Wave drag (also called
compressibility drag) is drag that is created when a body moves in a
compressible fluid and at speeds that are close to the speed of sound in
that fluid. In aerodynamics, wave drag consists of multiple components
depending on the speed regime of the flight.
Conclusion
In conclusion, aerodynamics plays a pivotal role in aircraft performance.
The study of aerodynamics has been used to continually improve upon
the unique shape of airplanes wings and the study of aerodynamics can
be very useful for applications outside of the realm of aviation.
When aerodynamics is applied to the aviation realm it explains how
aircrafts are able to take flight. For flight to be possible there has to be
four forces, which are lift, weight, drag and thrust.
Lastly, the density of the air (density altitude) is another key concept
that must be taken into account when studying the aerodynamics of
aircrafts.
Without the study of aerodynamics humans would never have achieved
such great feats in the aviation world.