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(This can be described as aerodynamic wash-in.) Winglets also promote a greater bending moment at the wing root, possibly necessitating a heavier wing structure. Installation of winglets may necessitate greater aerodynamic washout in order to provide the required resistance to spinning, or to optimise the spanwise lift distribution.
It describes the aerodynamic efficiency under given flight conditions. The L/D ratio for any given body will vary according to these flight conditions. For an aerofoil wing or powered aircraft, the L/D is specified when in straight and level flight. For a glider it determines the glide ratio, of distance travelled against loss of height.
A wing of infinite span and uniform airfoil segment (or a 2D wing) would experience no induced drag. [11] The drag characteristics of a wing with infinite span can be simulated using an airfoil segment the width of a wind tunnel. [12] An increase in wingspan or a solution with a similar effect is one way to reduce induced drag.
The Lanchester-Prandtl lifting-line theory [1] is a mathematical model in aerodynamics that predicts lift distribution over a three-dimensional wing from the wing's geometry. [2] The theory was expressed independently [ 3 ] by Frederick W. Lanchester in 1907, [ 4 ] and by Ludwig Prandtl in 1918–1919 [ 5 ] after working with Albert Betz and ...
Thus, a long, narrow wing has a high aspect ratio, whereas a short, wide wing has a low aspect ratio. [23] Aspect ratio and other features of the planform are often used to predict the aerodynamic efficiency of a wing because the lift-to-drag ratio increases with aspect ratio, improving fuel economy in aircraft.
Automotive aerodynamics differs from aircraft aerodynamics in several ways: The characteristic shape of a road vehicle is much less streamlined compared to an aircraft. The vehicle operates very close to the ground, rather than in free air. The operating speeds are lower (and aerodynamic drag varies as the square of speed).
The term drag area derives from aerodynamics, where it is the product of some reference area (such as cross-sectional area, total surface area, or similar) and the drag coefficient. In 2003, Car and Driver magazine adopted this metric as a more intuitive way to compare the aerodynamic efficiency of various automobiles.
The effect of downwash from a hovering Sikorsky Seahawk is clearly visible on the surface of water below.. In aeronautics, downwash is the change in direction of air deflected by the aerodynamic action of an airfoil, wing, or helicopter rotor blade in motion, as part of the process of producing lift. [1]