Aerodynamics Part 1

Aerodynamics Part 1

• The course covers airflow around a body, key terms, and their interactions with related forces, and the relationship between weight, thrust, and aerodynamic resultant

• Airflow around a body is described using terms like boundary layer, free stream flow, laminar and turbulent flow, upwash and downwash, vortices, and stagnation

• Key terms like camber, chord, mean aerodynamic chord (MAC), profile (parasite drag), induced drag, form drag, centre of pressure, angle of attack, angle of incidence, wash in/wash out, fineness ratio, and wing shape and aspect ratio are defined and their interaction with related forces are explained

• Lift and drag are generated, lift coefficient, drag coefficient, and stall are defined.

• A presentation of concepts aerofoil contamination including ice, snow, and frost. Aerofoil (aerofoil) is wing cross-sectional shape.

• The diagrams and data show relationships between ground speed (GS), true air speed (TAS), and indicated air speed (IAS).

• Wing and airfoil sketches are included; parts like ribs, spars, and cambered surfaces are defined

• The diagrams show the generation of lift and drag, resultant lift, and resultant drag that are shown to be produced by an aerofoil.

• The free stream airflow around a shape, distant enough to be unaffected and not change direction, is also explained with relevant diagrams

• A diagram demonstrating free stream flow and resistance is provided.

• The characteristics of a boundary layer, thickness of boundary layer, effect of viscosity, and relation to the velocity of the free stream are described.

• Laminar and turbulent flow are defined. Laminar flow is an orderly motion of air particles sliding past each other. Turbulent flow, as the speed increases, creates rotating air particles on the upper and lower surfaces. The air sticks to the surfaces which affects the thickness of the boundary layers.

• The transition point, where the boundary layer changes from laminar to turbulent flow, is explained, as is the relationship of increased speed and increased drag.

• The stagnation point, the point where air is brought to rest by the leading edge, is explained. The diagrams also show the origin of boundary layers

• The separation point is the point where boundary layers break away from the surface. The descriptions further explain wake.

• The wake, the unsteady rotational flow resulting from separation of boundary layers from the wing, and how is it related to the aerodynamic forces is described.

• Aerofoil shapes and their characteristics are explained, including maximum thickness, mean camber line, chord line.

• A presentation of the characteristics of thickness/chord ratio, high lift, general purpose, and high-speed aerofoils are included

• The concept of aspect ratio relates to the span of the wing; the greater the aspect ratio, the lower the induced drag

• The mean aerodynamic chord (MAC) is explained as a way to define a theoretical wing. A mean chord between root and tip chords is illustrated

• Angle of incidence is highlighted as the acute angle between the wing chord and the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, fixed in manufacture

• Angle of attack (AoA) is defined as the angle of inclination between the aerofoil chord to the relative airflow; the significance and related lift are demonstrated

• The center of pressure (CP), the 'centre of lift', concept and its relationship to the angle of attack to illustrate how it moves with changing speeds are explained.

• The pressure distribution is explained for different angles of attack; the location, direction, and relationship between the centre of pressure and the shape of the aerofoil section is shown and explained

• The lift coefficient (CL) is described as a measure of the lifting effectiveness of a wing under given conditions; its relationship to the angle of attack and importance, and how the higher the C₁ the lower is the minimum speed needed for a given wing to achieve a specified lift, are noted

• The formulas for calculating lift are shown, along with the factors like air density, air velocity, and surface area that affect the lift coefficient

• Resultant lift and drag are clearly defined along with the different forces involved in the process

• Drag definitions and the types such as parasite and induced drag is described as well as the explanation of the factors affecting the drag of the aerodynamic objects

• Parasite drag is explained as the drag caused by any aircraft surface which deflections or interferes with the smooth airflow around the aeroplane. Parasite drag is made up of three elements: skin friction, form drag, and interference

• The concepts, form drag and skin friction drag are further explained and illustrated with diagrams

• The induced drag is described as a byproduct of lift production; the relationship to the angle of attack and airspeed and is related to the wing tip vortices

• The polar curve, a mathematical representation of lift/drag/speed/angle of attack, is also included. The information from the polar curve is highlighted as helpful to demonstrate the relationship between lift and drag ratio

• The required lift to remain in straight and level flight is explained; the sharing between airspeed and angle of attack

• Descriptions of the different aerodynamic forces and their relationships to maintain straight and level flight and climb or descent of aircraft are covered

• Drag curves and the factors affecting the various elements of drag, total drag, parasite drag, and induced drag are discussed

• Stall is explained as a condition of separation of airflow from the wings upper surface.

• The concept of stall includes an illustration demonstrating the relationship between the angle of attack with the lift coefficient and the phenomenon of stall at which a sharp, sudden loss of lift happens

• A statement that different angles of attack will cause a stall regardless of airspeed, flight attitude, or weight, for a given aircraft is made.

• Descriptions of the different sections within the wing are covered, focusing on the different aspects of planforms and the different designs and purposes for which they are designed

• The study further explains important aerodynamic concepts including Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC), Angle of Incidence, aerodynamic forces, and other important terms and concepts in relation to aerodynamics. The page also includes a summary of important terms that students should know.

Explore the fundamental concepts of aerodynamics in this quiz, focusing on airflow around bodies, key terms, and their interactions with various forces. Understand the relationship between weight, thrust, and aerodynamic resultant as well as the effects of lift and drag on performance.