All Questions
Tagged with flight-dynamics glider
15
questions
0
votes
0
answers
43
views
Maximise Range Vs Pitching Down while flying a Glider in a Downward Air Mass
While flying a glider, if I encounter a downward moving air mass (i.e. sink) while on final, should I fly to maximise range (best lift to drag ratio) or should I pitch downward in order to exit the ...
- 101
4
votes
4
answers
996
views
Why the heavier the aircraft is, the higher the airspeed must be to obtain the same glide ratio?
I know weight does not affect glide ratio. But why does higher weight need higher gliding speed?
- 349
1
vote
1
answer
222
views
How does elevator control effectiveness change with altitude/ air density?
Suppose an unpowered, rigid, mechanical, lightweight aircraft (e.g. sport glider) is descending at a steady glide in a constant trim (hands off) configuration in a standard atmosphere. The pilot ...
- 334
2
votes
3
answers
655
views
Airplane speed retention question? [closed]
Imagine the scenario when a plane is flying, then it turns off its engine and nose dives. After gaining a lot of speed, if the pilot pulls the stick back and the plane now points upwards again, will ...
user68613
0
votes
2
answers
176
views
How would IAS change with altitude for an unpowered parafoil?
Suppose an unpowered parafoil (e.g. a ram air parachute or paraglider) is descending (gliding) in a standard atmosphere. Suppose a pitot tube is positioned to always point into the relative wind (e.g. ...
- 334
-1
votes
2
answers
215
views
If i have equal lift and drag, do they cancel each other out?
I am working on a throw glider and was wondering, How much lift would be too much lift, as in it causes the glider to stall (maybe thrust that causes this, but still). also, if I create a body that ...
- 69
0
votes
1
answer
103
views
Is there any formula that directly relate density to altitude for a wide range of altitude?
I am working on a code to simulate a vehicle trajectory based on forces act on it in different altitudes, I need a formula that gives density in an altitude range between 0 and 40 km to obtain lift ...
- 13
3
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Why can't you have sail-powered airplanes?
So, sailing boats take the kinetic energy of a crosswind and turn it into thrust by using their sails as lifting surfaces, and the discussion I had in the comment section of this question made me ...
- 754
1
vote
2
answers
573
views
Can we show through simple geometry rather than formulae or graphs that the best glide ratio occurs at the maximum ratio of Lift to Drag?
For an unpowered glider, can we show through simple geometry involving force vector diagrams, rather than mathematical formulae or graphs, that the best still-air glide ratio is achieved at the angle-...
- 22.9k
1
vote
2
answers
274
views
In a full-rudder sideslip in a Schweizer 2-22 or 2-33 glider, is the descent rate higher at 50 mph airspeed than at 60 mph airspeed?
Is it really true that in a full-rudder sideslip in a Schweizer 2-22 or 2-33 glider, the descent rate is higher at 50 mph airspeed than at 60 mph airspeed?
Likewise, is it really true that in a full-...
- 22.9k
8
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Plane that always flies into the wind?
Suppose that you dropped an uncontrolled, dummy glider into the air. You want it to always face into the wind by design. Would it be possible? If so, what would such a plane look like?
- 99
0
votes
4
answers
552
views
When do the lift and drag vectors contribute a force component along a glider's path of travel as seen from the ground?
It is often said that the lift vector helps to propel a glider forwards. The lift vector has no component acting parallel to the glider's trajectory through the airmass, but in many cases the lift ...
- 22.9k
3
votes
6
answers
2k
views
What produces thrust along the line of flight in a glider?
After reviewing discussions and vector diagrams of gliders in flight, the vertical lift component and the vertical drag components seem to produce a steady state, 0 acceleration balance with gravity. ...
- 20.6k
-1
votes
2
answers
850
views
What is the best distance glider that can carry a 200 lb load?
Good morning, I'm an emigrant from Worldbuilding and I ask this first question in part to help me discover what I don't know I don't know.
My definition of best: Longest recorded single flight time ...
- 117
4
votes
2
answers
909
views
Which of these is true for a glider flying with constant angle of attack?
I'm trying to answer the following question, but I'm not sure of which one is correct.
A glider is gliding with constant angle of attack along its path. We can assume the hypothesis of small angles. ...
- 159