3 ms·

It's well known - and instructed - within the "pilot community" that the theory taught in most books is oversimplified to the point that it is almost wrong. I u

It's well known - and instructed - within the "pilot community" that the theory taught in most books is oversimplified to the point that it is almost wrong. I understand how it works from the practical and theoretical side; but can't think of a better (i.e. easier) way to explain it to others without this oversimplification.

Swizec 16y ago
How about just mentioning that it is in fact an oversimplification. Most people can deal with that, but if you don't tell them then how are they to know?
- bulte-rs 16y ago
  Well, this is the way I explain it to other people; including the oversimplification part. The real problem - which is probably just my lack of educational experience - comes up when people are really interested and ask about the way it really-really-really works.
  - Retric 16y ago
    A stab at an in between explanation. Flat wings work with a positive angle of attack (EX: paper airplane). The problem with scaling this up is turbulence at the sharp edge. A gently curved surface reduces turbulence and drag. Remove enough turbulence and you get a laminar flow which hugs both sides of the wings. You can deflect a laminar flow down to increase lift. (See faucet experiment.) Control surfaces on the wing redirect the flow to push the aircraft in a new direction. Incresing the angle of attack increases lift until you reach the critical angle of attack ~15 degrees when you lose laminar flow and a sudden drop in lift occurs. Stall speed is the speed below which you can't maintain level flight by increasing angle of attack. High performance aircraft and trade efficiency for performance (EX: an F-15 landed after losing a wing http://www.uss-bennington.org/phz-nowing-f15.html http://www.uss-bennington.org/phz-nowing-f15.html) Super sonic flight behaves somewhat differently. (See faucet with increased pressure.)

Swizec 16y ago

How about just mentioning that it is in fact an oversimplification. Most people can deal with that, but if you don't tell them then how are they to know?

bulte-rs 16y ago
Well, this is the way I explain it to other people; including the oversimplification part. The real problem - which is probably just my lack of educational experience - comes up when people are really interested and ask about the way it really-really-really works.
- Retric 16y ago
  A stab at an in between explanation. Flat wings work with a positive angle of attack (EX: paper airplane). The problem with scaling this up is turbulence at the sharp edge. A gently curved surface reduces turbulence and drag. Remove enough turbulence and you get a laminar flow which hugs both sides of the wings. You can deflect a laminar flow down to increase lift. (See faucet experiment.) Control surfaces on the wing redirect the flow to push the aircraft in a new direction. Incresing the angle of attack increases lift until you reach the critical angle of attack ~15 degrees when you lose laminar flow and a sudden drop in lift occurs. Stall speed is the speed below which you can't maintain level flight by increasing angle of attack. High performance aircraft and trade efficiency for performance (EX: an F-15 landed after losing a wing http://www.uss-bennington.org/phz-nowing-f15.html http://www.uss-bennington.org/phz-nowing-f15.html) Super sonic flight behaves somewhat differently. (See faucet with increased pressure.)