Aerodynamics (Piloting)
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Definition
Aerodynamics is the study of the behavior of airflow around an object in various conditions and positions. Air molecules stays the same until aircraft moves through it.
To give the student a basic idea of how an aircraft is able to sustain flight and the forces involved in flying and how lift is generated.
This lesson will form the base of all ground schooling to come.
Newton’s Laws
Newton 1: Law of Inertia
An object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force.
Newton 2: Law of Acceleration
When an external force acts upon a body, the body will accelerate in the direction of the applied force and in the same magnitude
(hard/soft force) as the applied force.
Newton 3: Law of Action and Reaction
For every action there would be an equal but opposite reaction.
Axis’s of motion: An axis is an imaginary line going straight
through our aircraft through the center of gravity
There are three Axis’s running through an aircraft.
The Lateral Axis:
The lateral axis runs through the center of gravity of the
aircraft from wingtip to wingtip.
The Longitudinal Axis:
The longitudinal axis runs through the center of gravity of
the aircraft from the nose to the tail.
The Normal Axis:
The normal axis runs through the center of gravity of the
aircraft from the canopy to the undercarriage.
Pitching:
The elevator is used to pitch the aircraft up to the canopy or
down to the undercarriage about the lateral axis.
Rolling
The ailerons are used to roll the aircraft left or right about the
longitudinal axis.
Yawing
The rudder is used to yaw the aircraft left or right about the
normal axis.