Linked Questions
49 questions linked to/from How do wings generate lift?
3
votes
1answer
9k views
How do symmetrical airfoils generate lift? [duplicate]
It is widely understood that the curved shape of a typical airfoil (such as a Clark Y) causes a pressure difference that creates lift. How do symmetrical airfoils do this when the top and lower ...
0
votes
1answer
725 views
Is the airspeed different between above and under the wings? [duplicate]
I heard that when an airplane is flying, air speed or air pressure is higher under the wings. Is it true?
1
vote
1answer
950 views
What really causes a low-pressure gradient over the top of an aerofoil? [duplicate]
As air flows over the top of an aerofoil the pressure drops. Compared to the high / normal pressures on the underside, a pressure gradient is formed with higher pressure further above the wing. You ...
3
votes
4answers
147 views
Aerodynamics of lift [duplicate]
How can lift on a canvas covered airplane wing in level cruising flight be explained without introducing Bernoulli ? Both upper and lower surfaces are bulged out,which indicates lower than ambient ...
-9
votes
1answer
314 views
What makes Airplane Fly? Does Bernoulli Principle still Reliable? [duplicate]
Even the earliest airplanes did not apply Bernoulli principle. The wings were flat, and it worked.
An honest engineer admitted that 'take off' is a mystery. Is there alternatives for Bernoulli ...
1
vote
2answers
67 views
Why is airflow forced to be speed up on the upper surface of an aerofoil? [duplicate]
As the title says: Why is airflow compelled to flow further over the upper surface of an aerofoil? I understand because it has a larger distance to travel, but why can't the airflow travel at the same ...
-4
votes
3answers
435 views
Why do modern aircraft have a slope on top of the airfoil? [duplicate]
I recently learned that the pressure on the bottom of the wing is increased, and air moves faster on the bottom part of the wing. The speed of the air on top of the wing is not increased. So I am ...
0
votes
0answers
66 views
What is the reason for circulation of air around an airfoil? Based upon the circulation of air, why are airfoils shaped the way they are? [duplicate]
Foreword: I am an Aerospace Engineering student and next year is my third and final year, starting September 2019.
I was taught approximately 2 semesters ago that the correct theory of lift is that ...
90
votes
14answers
16k views
Are wings any more efficient at creating lift, versus orienting the engine's thrust downwards?
As I understood from this article, wings on an airplane basically create lift by pushing air down.
Maintaining the lift force expends energy because air needs to be continually accelerated downwards. ...
28
votes
4answers
4k views
How do I explain what makes an airplane fly to a non-technical person?
As an engineer I can explain in very technical terms exactly what makes an airplane fly, however, it isn't easily understood by non-technical people. How can I explain it to a non-technical person, ...
39
votes
3answers
10k views
How does an aircraft form wake turbulence?
This question discusses how wake turbulence can affect planes flying in formation. It got me wondering, how do aircraft (the wings in particular) form wake turbulence to begin with? It can't be as ...
13
votes
5answers
7k views
Why are wings load tested upside down?
Why are wings load tested by putting weights on the underside of the wing (placed upside down)? A wing is being pulled into the air from its upper surface in flight, so shouldn't it be load tested in ...
24
votes
2answers
4k views
Why is the wrong explanation of “air travels a longer distance and creates a lift” so popular?
When I was learning for my license, one of the first diagrams I remember was about the wing profile. The air going around the wing and on the upper side it has to travel a longer way, thus generating ...
14
votes
7answers
8k views
Why does a stall decrease lift, rather than increasing it?
A stall occurs when the angle of attack of a wing or other airfoil becomes so high that the airflow over the upper surface of the wing separates from the wing, rather than remaining attached to it; ...
15
votes
7answers
2k views
How would you explain Bernoulli to a nine year old?
This is a aviation principles question coming from my nine year old daughter that I need help with. I was explaining to her the principle of flight and the fact that you need airflow under the wing in ...