Most airline passengers are used to the reassuring thumping noise the landing gear makes when it extends in preparation for landing. This shape also makes trimming, or making counteractive measures against airplane aerodynamics, less of a hassle.Īs soon as an air show audience member realizes the importance of a sleek shape for efficient airflow, he or she might wonder why many of these airplanes might have non-retractable landing gear, or landing gear which cannot stow away in the underbelly of the craft after takeoff. These balanced wings slice through the denser low air more evenly than asymmetrical airfoils. Therefore, the precision required of aerobatic performers means that symmetrical airfoils are best. More drag might be present in a symmetrical airfoil, but the need for any lift at all on the underside of the wing renders this acceptable. The symmetrical airfoil will still get the job done while allowing airflow over both sides of the wing. While a cambered wing shape is best and most efficient at generating lift, it is not necessary. This balance allows the airplane to still produce lift even when the cockpit is pointed towards the ground. These offer the same degree of curve on both the top as well as the bottom of the airfoil, or the cross section shape of the whole wing. If an air show pilot is spending some of his or her performance upside down, it’s important for his or her airplane to have symmetrical wings. ![]() But soon afterwards, aerobatic pilots were pushing what it meant to be in the air. Airflow studies and generations of aerodynamic engineering shows that this is best for airplanes which are designed for flying “right side up.” Of course, in the early days of aviation, the goal was merely to get a “flying machine” aloft. That means they are curved on the top, and flat on the bottom. Standard aircraft tend to have wings which are cambered. They must usually learn to take off and land an aircraft with a tail wheel, for example, and effectively control a powerful engine. Pilots capable of performing aerobatic maneuvers must practice their skills beyond basic aviating and even precision flying. In general, where air show performers are concerned, the airplane must be light and quick, but sturdy enough to bear the aerodynamic forces lifting and pressing down on it. A World War II bomber which needed to carry heavy weapons over long distances should look quite different from a light sport aircraft meant to slip in and out of short landing fields. ![]() From the perspective of performers and pilots, why does airplane aerodynamics matter?įor a standard aircraft and airplane journey, the aerodynamic capabilities of the airplane depends on its mission. Traditional lightweight aerobatic airplanes look completely different from the jet-powered military teams that perform at airshows, but they all bring a different appreciation for aerodynamics from the audience. Airplane aerodynamics are an important factor in determining the capabilities of the aircraft, and this is true for airshow performers.
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