Contents
Does angle of attack change with speed?
Two variables can change the amount of lift generated by a wing in a given configuration. The speed of air flowing over the airfoil. The angle of attack. An increase in speed or the angle of attack will increase both lift and drag.
Will a wing always stall at the same angle of attack?
The angle of attack (AOA) is the angle at which the chord of an aircraft’s wing meets the relative wind. The velocity of the relative wind does not matter; the airfoil will ALWAYS stall when the critical AOA is reached.
How does the rate of climb depend on the speed and altitude?
For a given aircraft mass the maximum rate of climb will occur when the product of the speed and the excess thrust is greatest. Therefore the rate of climb will reduce. Air density (altitude) Increasing altitude (decreasing density) will reduce thrust and therefore reduce the rate of climb.
What is the most compelling reason to try and maintain laminar flow on to the wing?
It is the smooth flow of a fluid over a surface. Though a boundary layer of air “sticks” to a wing, the air overtop should be moving quickly and smoothly to reduce friction drag. Engineers want to design aircraft with laminar flow over their wings to make them more aerodynamic and efficient.
Can an aircraft stall at an angle of attack?
A stall occurs when the angle of attack of an aerofoil exceeds the value which creates maximum lift as a consequence of airflow across it. However, when flying straight and level with a particular aircraft mass and prevailing density altitude, for every wing angle of attack there is a corresponding indicated air speed.
Is the AoA of a plane always correct?
For every flight operation where we use a certain airspeed to achieve maximum performance, there is one correct AOA. That AOA never changes, but the airspeed to achieve it does. All the time.
Are there any airspeeds that are never correct?
These airspeeds are never correct because we are only at gross weight and 1G sitting on the ramp. If you happen to be loaded to gross weight, as soon as you start your engine, you are burning fuel and your weight is going down. And if you are anything but straight and level in the air, you are not at 1G.
When to look at AOA for stall speed?
If you had an AOA indicator, it’s easy. Whenever your AOA indicator says you are close to stalling, read the airspeed indicator to see what your stall speed is, if you really care! At a fixed AOA, your stall speed varies directly with weight. Reduce weight (or G), stall speed goes down.
Is it better to increase speed in a climb?
Even though the speed where minimum power is required is actually slightly below the best L/D speed, in an aircraft with a fixed-pitch prop the speed for best climb rate is usually above the best L/D speed, because of the greater power available when the engine can turn at a higher RPM.