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How Airplanes Fly

The document explains the principles of how airplanes fly, emphasizing that lift is generated to oppose weight, thrust to oppose drag, and the importance of structural integrity and stability. It critiques common misconceptions about wing shape and airflow, introducing concepts like the Kutta condition and the need for balance in flight. Additionally, it outlines the roles of various aerodynamic controls and the disciplines involved in airplane design.

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wills.bry15
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6 views28 pages

How Airplanes Fly

The document explains the principles of how airplanes fly, emphasizing that lift is generated to oppose weight, thrust to oppose drag, and the importance of structural integrity and stability. It critiques common misconceptions about wing shape and airflow, introducing concepts like the Kutta condition and the need for balance in flight. Additionally, it outlines the roles of various aerodynamic controls and the disciplines involved in airplane design.

Uploaded by

wills.bry15
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How Airplanes Fly

AE 1350
The Usual (Wrong) Answer
1 Air “must” go faster over the top of wing to meet at
the back (why does it have to meet in the back?)
2 Bernoulli’s principle tells us that pressure will be
lower on upper surface
– Pressure + ½ * Density * Velocity2 = Constant
“Static Pressure”
-

+
We Need Better, 1 of 3
• How do airplanes without a wing of this shape fly?

• Why can airplanes fly upside down?


We Need Better, 2 of 3
• Why did many airplanes with this shape not fly?
We Need Better, 3 of 3
• The air going over top arrives BEFORE the air going
under the bottom!
How Airplanes Fly
1. Lift generated to oppose Weight
• Example: Wing with trailing edge
• Weight kept to a minimum
Airfoil: Shape of the Wing Cross-Section
• The (too) simple theory tells us that to fly we need an
airfoil with greater curve on the upper surface than
the lower surface
• This is not correct
• What is required, is a trailing edge
Kutta Condition
• Flow will tend to depart from trailing edge
– If it didn’t go straight off trailing edge, pressure would drop
when going around sharp curve (something must make the
flow turn!) – this “sucks” flow into the trailing edge

-
Generation of Lift
• Adjust angle of trailing edge to direct flow
• Deflecting air downward generates lift
• By pushing air down, airplane stays up
Take this too far, get a Stall
• Eventually the flow doesn’t make the turn, and the
flow separates – creating lots of drag, loss of lift, and
turbulence
Flow
Separation
How Airplanes Fly
1. Lift generated to oppose Weight
• Example: Wing with trailing edge
• Weight kept to a minimum
2. Thrust generated to oppose Drag
Thrust Generated to Oppose Drag
• For rockets:
– Push propellant out the back of the airplane
Thrust Generated to Oppose Drag
• For propellers and jets:
– Push air out the back of the airplane
How Airplanes Fly
1. Lift generated to oppose Weight
• Example: Wing with trailing edge
• Weight kept to a minimum
2. Thrust generated to oppose Drag
3. Structure is strong/stiff enough
• Stays together under maximum forces
• Deflections low enough that aerodynamic forces still
OK
Structure Stiff/Strong Enough
(without being too heavy!)
How Airplanes Fly
1. Lift generated to oppose Weight
• Example: Wing with trailing edge
• Weight kept to a minimum
2. Thrust generated to oppose Drag
3. Structure is strong/stiff enough
• Stays together under maximum forces
• Deflections low enough that aerodynamic forces still OK
4. Can be trimmed (moments brought to zero)
i.e. “balanced”
Must be Trimmed or “Balanced”
Axes of an Airplane
Roll
• The longitudinal axis extends
lengthwise through the fuselage
from the nose to the tail.
• Movement of the airplane around
the longitudinal axis is known as
roll and is controlled by movement
of the ailerons.
Pitch

• The lateral axis extends


crosswise from wingtip to
wing tip.
• Movement of the airplane
around the lateral axis is
known as pitch.
• Pitch is controlled by
movement of the elevators.
Yaw

• The vertical or normal axis


passes vertically through the
center of gravity.
• Movement of the airplane
around the vertical axis is yaw.
• Yaw is controlled by
movement of the rudder.
How Airplanes Fly
1. Lift generated to oppose Weight
• Example: Wing with trailing edge
• Weight kept to a minimum
2. Thrust generated to oppose Drag
3. Structure is strong/stiff enough
• Stays together under maximum forces
• Deflections low enough that aerodynamic forces still OK
4. Can be trimmed (moments brought to zero)
i.e. “balanced”
5. Either stable OR controllable
Must be Stable OR Controllable
(Both not required)

Stable
Controllable
If perturbed from equilibrium
Pilot can change vehicle
flight, will return to
direction at will
equilibrium
(also useful for trimming)
First Successful Airplane Flight

Samuel P. Langley
Steam power, 30 lbs., 25 mph
The first successful flights in 1896
First Human-Carrying Airplane

The first successful flight on December 17, 1903


Unstable, highly controllable (think windsurfing)
Aerodynamic Controls
Elevator
• Elevators control pitch angle
• Ailerons control roll angle
• Rudder controls Spoilers
yaw angle Ailerons
• Flaps increase lift and drag
• Leading edge slats increase lift
• Drag brakes increase drag
• Spoilers reduce lift and increase drag

Flaps
Rudder
How Airplanes Fly
1. Lift generated to oppose Weight
• Example: Wing with trailing edge
• Weight kept to a minimum
2. Thrust generated to oppose Drag
3. Structure is strong/stiff enough
• Stays together under maximum forces
• Deflections low enough that aerodynamic forces still OK
4. Can be trimmed (moments brought to zero)
i.e. “balanced”
5. Either stable OR controllable
Disciplines

Propulsion Structures
Stability &
Control
Design

Aerodynamics &
Performance

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