Aerodynamics & Performance of Flight

The Basic Aviation Aerodynamics; Aerodynamics & Performance of Flight

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Click here for the previous lessons, to learn about: Principle of Airframe; Principles of Aerodynamics; Airfoil Characteristics; Primary Flight Control Surfaces; Description and Operation of Helicopter; Miscellaneous Components of an Aircraft…

Everything moving through the air (including airplanes, rockets, and birds) is affected by aerodynamics

In order to understand the operation of the components and subcomponents of an aircraft, it is important to understand basic aerodynamic concepts
Aerodynamics is the branch of dynamics dealing with the motion of air and other gases which give us the performance we need to fly

It can be associated with the forces acting on an object in motion through the air or with an object that is stationary in a current of air
Several factors affect aircraft performance including the atmosphere, aerodynamics, and aircraft icing
Pilots need an understanding of these factors for a sound basis for prediction of aircraft response to control inputs

There are four forces that act upon an aircraft, making up what we call, the Principles of Flight

Understanding how these forces are created, and more importantly impact each other, allow pilots to understand how they are manipulated to control an aircraft in flight
These principle forces are thrust, drag, weight, and lift: [Figure 1]
Thrust:
Thrust is the forward force produced by the powerplant/propeller
It opposes or overcomes the force of drag
Drag:
Drag is a rearward, retarding force and is caused by disruption of airflow by the wing, fuselage, and other protruding objects
Drag opposes thrust and acts rearward parallel to the relative wind
Weight:
Weight is the combined load of the aircraft itself, the crew, the fuel, and the cargo or baggage
Weight pulls the aircraft downward because of the force of gravity
Lift:
Lift opposes the downward force of weight, is produced by the dynamic effect of the air acting on the wing, and acts perpendicular to the flight path through the wing's center of lift (CL)
All aircraft are designed with different handling characteristics in mind which determine aircraft stability
An aircraft moves in three dimensions and is controlled by moving it about one or more of its axes:
The longitudinal, or roll, axis extends through the aircraft from nose to tail, with the line passing through the CG
The lateral or pitch axis extends across the aircraft on a line through the wing tips, again passing through the CG
The vertical, or yaw, axis passes through the aircraft vertically, intersecting the CG
All control movements cause the aircraft to move around one or more of these axes and allows for the control of the aircraft in flight

How Does Weight Affect Aerodynamics in Airplanes?

Weight wasn’t only a gravitational force to be overcome when human beings first took to the sky. It has a specific relationship to airplanes and management of them while in flight.

Aircraft designers usually look to save as much weight as possible; a lower weight means less fuel to remain airborne, and more passengers and cargo can be brought on board. Seeking a balance of using safe and durable materials while reducing the forces of gravity is critical.

While the force of weight presses down on the entire airplane, it pivots through the aircraft’s center of gravity. The center of gravity is always focused towards the earth, but the precise location of it continually shifts as an airplane burns fuel. Weight and balance calculations are vital in-flight planning and aircraft operation. Maintaining a safe ratio of weight and balance are why, even though passengers on a small aircraft might not feel a difference in the handling of an aircraft, they are sometimes asked to re-distribute themselves more evenly across the cabin of a half-empty flight.

So what combats the weight of the aircraft pushing down towards Earth? You’re not going anywhere without lift.

In aerodynamics, lift is produced by the difference in speed between an object and the air molecules around it. Lift does not exist without air, which is why the wings of the space shuttle orbiter were useless in the vacuum of space but essential during its unpowered descent to Earth.

Differences in air pressure are crucial in producing lift. Since fast-moving air creates less pressure, the slower air below the wing helps to push the wing skyward. Aircraft wings, with their slightly rounded shape, are designed to harness this dynamic. The motion of the air molecules above and below the surface of the wing creates the upward push of lift; this flow, in turn, helps keep the airplane aloft.

The Importance of Thrust in Aerodynamics

The most spectacular illustration of thrust is a rocket launch. Thrust is what enables us non-birds to get off the ground. When thrust of an engine pushes, the vehicle it’s attached to shoots in the opposite direction.

The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole fighter jet

that has been in service since 1984. It is a fourth-generation aircraft that can perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance missions. The Mirage 2000 has a delta wing design that gives it high maneuverability and agility. It is powered by a single SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan engine that can produce up to 95.1 kN of thrust with afterburner. The Mirage 2000 can reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 and a service ceiling of 17,000 m.

The Mirage 2000 has a versatile weapons system that can carry a variety of missiles, bombs, rockets, and pods

. It can carry up to four air-to-air missiles, such as the Magic II, Super 530D, or MICA, for self-defense and interception. It can also carry up to six air-to-ground weapons, such as the AS-30L laser-guided missile, the Apache cruise missile, or the AASM precision-guided bomb, for strike and attack missions. For reconnaissance, the Mirage 2000 can carry the Reco NG pod, which provides high-resolution imagery and data transmission. The Mirage 2000 also has a built-in twin-barrel 30 mm DEFA cannon with 125 rounds of ammunition.

The Mirage 2000 has proven its performance and reliability in various combat operations around the world. It has participated in conflicts such as the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, the Afghanistan War, and the Libyan Civil War. It has also been exported to several countries, such as India, Egypt, Greece, Taiwan, and Brazil. The Mirage 2000 is still in service today, although some variants have been upgraded or replaced by newer models, such as the Mirage 2000-5 or the Rafale.

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