Linked Questions
63 questions linked to/from How do wings generate lift?
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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 ...
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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?
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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 ...
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4
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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 ...
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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 ...
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2
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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 ...
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3
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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 ...
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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 ...
95
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15
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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. ...
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7
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Why do airliners pitch up during cruise?
In my experience as a passenger, when the plane stands at the airport and you enter it, the aisle is pretty much horizontal. (Obviously, I've never flown on a DC-3). After takeoff we pitch sharply ...
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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; ...
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Principle of aerodynamic lift: are misconceptions also taught in flight schools?
Describing lift as the result of "equal transit time" on both sides of an airfoil is a fallacious theory widely found in technical books and articles for general public (see below for details about ...
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