Aerodynamics?

[beaky]

I think you're right about the intuitive understanding. I was never convinced that all these scientific explanations are correct.

You have no idea how refreshing it is to hear that from an engineer...

[C]

Downwind turns? Sounds intriguing...


Go ahead...

[beaky]

Downwind turns? Sounds intriguing...


Go ahead...

Oh no, not me... I just wanted to bring it up and see what happens.

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Let's take a look at a very detalied diagram to show this effect

Oh that is so detailed...it's about as detailed as Jake's Cessna at his home airport

[Drake_TigerClaw]

If you want to know a bit about aerodynamics I suggest "The Illustrated guide to aerodynamics" by H. C. "Skipp" Smith. It has just about everything you need to know about aerodynamics as a pilot.
(IBSN 0-8306-3901-2)

[Jeph]

im not sure how much this could apply to the discussion, but im surprised no ones mentioned anything about the effect of the wind on your hand when youre driving down the street. its fairly practical, and im sure the wright brothers tried it on their bikes

try a real experiment...hop in a car, and hit the road. at about 30 mph (50km/h), stick your hand into the wind. if you hold your palm (slightly cupped) flat (zero AoA), with thumb touching your index finger, youve created a concave wing, you literally feel the difference in pressure between the two sides. change AoA, and eventually, you feel the "wing" start to stall. then it all turns to drag. flatten your hand, and its more like a conventional wing. youll feel a bit of difference on the top and bottom of the wing.

hope this helps..the concept answered a lot of questions for me when i was learning about it

[Nexus]

Thats an old trick when trying to explain lift, jeph  :)
The problem is...while your hand is getting "lift" from the air being that's being pushed down, the wing of an airliner doesnt get its primary lift component from the air it pushes down, but from the air streaming over the wings.

So it's not really the same, but it works in theory for the common man, but not much more.

[Drake_TigerClaw]

Yeah, stick your hand out a skyhawk's window, its fun!

Actually your hand does work like an airfoil but flat plate airfoils re not usually good because the airflow is horribly disrupted and it has really bad stall charachteristics.

[Nexus]

Yeah, stick your hand out a skyhawk's window, its fun!

Actually your hand does work like an airfoil but flat plate airfoils re not usually good because the airflow is horribly disrupted and it has really bad stall charachteristics.

Not to mention it's highly inefficient at creating lift...

[Jeph]

ok, ok, valid point, i had a feeling it wasnt quite practical enough for the discussion, but thought it might shed a little light....for someone...

but ill say this. in an emergency*, a C-172 (or similar) cabin door makes a half-decent rudder. ::nods::

[C]

but ill say this. in an emergency*, a C-172 (or similar) cabin door makes a half-decent rudder. ::nods::

Or airbrake...

[OTTOL]

[quote]Here, Ottol..

[Brett_Henderson]

Now.....if you'll excuse me, I have to go get fitted for a new flame-retardant suit!

LOL

[OTTOL]

.....
That's curious, because in order for the air to be redirected and accelerated, the path HAS to be different AND has to be longer.

I knew it!! I knew those dang so-called-rocket-scientists at NASA were fulla' hot air!!

[OTTOL]

I'm feeling a little malicious tonight, so if you don't mind, I'm gonna get my Crayons out now.....



Okay, I'll admit, I took a little artistic license with the airflow but more importantly notice how easily path length is altered with a small change in relative wind.