Vocabulary
What is Parasite drag/what is it caused by?
It is caused by the non lifting parts of the aircraft (struts, landing gear, antennas)
Can drag be ever eliminated?
Drag can never be completely eliminated, only kept to a minimum
Why An extremely stable aircraft may be too difficult to maneuver?
The aircraft has way too much stability, which is causing the aircraft to be (tightly) stable. Hard to maneuver.
What is Transition Point?
It is the point where this change occurs. (The airflow changes from smooth to rough)
Which drag increases with airspeed?
Parasite Drag increases with airspeed
What is static stability?
Static Stability is the initial tendency of the aircraft to return to its original position following a displacement.
What are Spoilers?
Spoilers are devices fitted to the upper surface of the wing which are used to disrupt lift and increase drag by projecting into the airflow and breaking up the laminar flow.
What are the 4 primary forces that act on an airplane in flight?
1. Lift
2. Weight
3. Drag
4. Thrust
______ an object returns to its original position following a displacement.
Type of stability?
Positive Stability – an object returns to its original position following a displacement
What is Separation Point?
The turbulent air will actually begin to separate from the wing at the leading edge.
What is equilibrium?
If Lift is equal to Weight and Thrust is equal to Drag, the aircraft is said to be in a state of equilibrium.
If you hit turbulence and your nose pitches up, and then immediately continues pitching up, you're airplane has _____stability.
Kind of stability?
Negative Static stability
What is stability, and the types?
Stability is the ability of an aircraft to remain in a steady, upright position in flight, and to return to that position following a disturbance without corrective action by the pilot.
Types of stability:
1. Positive
2. Neutral
3. Negative
What is Newton's 3rd law?
Every action has an opposite and equal reaction.
What would be the Aspect Ratio of an aircraft with a wingspan of 54 ft and a chord of 6 ft?
Aspect Ratio = Wingspan/Chord= 36/4
= 9