342 views

Is multi element wing good option for slow flight airplanes?

Can we use multi element wing for slow flight planes, like F1 multi element rear wing? If we know that pressure act prependicular to the surface why this two upper elements are "almost" ...
882 views

What is the differance between gliding for maximum range and gliding for maximum endurance? [duplicate]

Is there a difference between gliding for maximum range vs. endurance? Is the glide speed the same for max. endurance and max. range?
470 views

How do I obtain the max endurance altitude?

There are excellent explanations of the physics that determine maximum endurance speed here, here, and here. I was thinking of aircraft that have to be "on station" without an indicated altitude and ...
546 views

How significant is the lift induced drag contribution to total drag of aircraft at cruise speed?

How significant is the lift induced drag contribution to total drag of aircraft at cruise speed? From what I've learned so far it seems to be around 10 to 15 percent of total drag. I suspect the ratio ...
3k views

What is the shape of the power required curve?

I understand that when flying level, some power is required to maintain altitude, this power amount being: Normally larger when the speed is larger, this is flying on the forward side of the required ...
2k views

What are typical airspeeds and lift coefficients for UAVs at different flight stages?

I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to figure out the relationship between airspeed of a fixed wing UAV at different flight stages. What I mean is, I would like to know the order of airspeeds from ...
6k views

Why is max endurance different for jet and props?

Max endurance speed is not the same for gliders, propeller planes (also for turbo prop, right?) and jet planes. While for for jet planes max endurance is at the minimum drag speed ($V_{md}$), for ...
946 views

For a flying wing airfoil, which AOA is to consider when selecting Cl?

I'm in the process of designing a flying wing. I'm trying to keep it a small as possible, so the lift coefficient is very crucial for me. I'm currently looking at some airfoils but most of them ...
5k views

Could there ever be a fully solar powered airliner capable of transatlantic flights?

Could a new or a modified existing airliner, e.g., a Boeing 737, be fully powered by solar energy and make the normal length trips aviation-fuel powered aircraft make?
2k views

What is the maximum theoretical lift of a plane as a function of engine power and surface of the wings?

Maximum theoretical lift of a plane as a function of engine power and surface of the wings? I know that the maximum static thrust of a propeller turned by an engine of power $P$ can not be greater ...
1k views

Do aircraft use the majority of their fuel to overcome friction?

It was asserted (tangentially) in this question that airliners use most of their fuel to overcome frictional losses. Is that a true statement? If so, ...
23k views

Why do airplanes have to retract landing gear?

Why do all the airplanes have to retract their landing gear, once they reach some specific height? Why can't they simply leave their landing gear deployed all through the flight?
3k views

What is a ramjet?

What is a ramjet? Was it used on the SR-71 Blackbird?
Figure 10-5 of the FAA's Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge shows: I didn't think $L/D_{MAX}$ coincided with $D_{MIN}$. Is this Figure accurate?