Like lift, there are many factors that affect the magnitude of the drag force including the shape of the aircraft, the “stickiness” of the air, and the velocity of the aircraft. Drag is directed along and opposed to the flight direction. The air resists the motion of the aircraft and the resistance force is called drag. DragĪs the airplane moves through the air, there is another aerodynamic force present. Aerodynamic surfaces are used to control the aircraft in roll, pitch, and yaw.
The distribution of lift around the aircraft is important for solving the control problem. The center of pressure is defined just like the center of gravity, but using the pressure distribution around the body instead of the weight distribution. Aircraft lift acts through a single point called the center of pressure. Most of the lift is generated by the wings. As with weight, each part of the aircraft contributes to the aircraft lift force. The magnitude of the lift depends on several factors including the shape, size, and velocity of the aircraft. Lift is directed perpendicular to the flight direction. Lift is generated by the motion of the airplane through the air and is an aerodynamic force. “ Aero” stands for the air, and “ dynamic” denotes motion. To overcome the weight force, airplanes generate an opposing force called lift. So the pilot must constantly adjust the controls to keep the airplane balanced, or trimmed. The distribution of the weight and the center of gravity also changes.
During a flight, an airplane’s weight constantly changes as the aircraft consumes fuel. Both of these problems are related to the object’s weight and the location of the center of gravity. But we can often think of it as collected and acting through a single point called the center of gravity. In flight, the airplane rotates about the center of gravity.įlying encompasses two major problems overcoming the weight of an object by some opposing force, and controlling the object in flight. The weight is distributed throughout the airplane. The magnitude of the weight depends on the mass of all the airplane parts, plus the amount of fuel, plus any payload on board (people, baggage, freight, etc.). Weight is a force that is always directed toward the center of the earth.
This slide shows the forces that act on an airplane in flight. When describing forces, we have to specify both the magnitude and the direction. A force is a vector quantity so a force has both a magnitude and a direction. Home > Beginners Guide to Aeronautics Four Forces on an AirplaneĪ force may be thought of as a push or pull in a specific direction.
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