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B767Driver · May 12th, 2008, 08:35

My friend, you are asking very astute questions for someone of your age. As you continue to study basic aerodynamics, especially in books targeting pilots, you will find a myriad of different explanations concerning aerodynamic principles. Some of the explanations you will find in popular aviation training texts...are just plain wrong. Even the FAA, dating back to the 1960's, (as far as I can tell) has taught pilots inaccurate aeodynamic principles.

Why has this occured? Most likely to "dumb down" very complex subjects to more basic concepts...like taking a very complex electrical schematic and making it a block diagram.

Anyway...the reason an airplane produces lift with its wing, ailerons and elevator is because of the pressure differential produced. There is high pressure on one side of the wing and low pressure on the other side of the wing...and this pressure differential is the aerodynamic wonder that makes airplanes do the things they do. The whole "Newtonian" principles are at work...but they are secondary in response to the pressure differential created by the shape (camber) of the wing.

It sounds like the text you are reading is on the right track. If you have more questions, this is a good forum because they are several guys here who really know how to separate the wheat from the chaff on this difficult topic.

Now having said that, as you begin your flying lessons, understanding detailed aerodynamic principles won't be very important. Basic concepts will be just fine for now. If you don't feel you have a master's level understanding of aerodynamics...don't let it bother you. Over time you can pick up a better understanding. I had 8000 hrs of flying experience and was flying heavy jets...and still didn't 100% understand the more intricate details of aerodynamics. Even some aeronautical engineers have a difficult time explaining how lift is created. (They can run very complex formulas regarding fluid dynamics, but when you press them for the basics, some never seem to be able to communicate the basics in a nutshell.)

Tgrayson and Fish are contributors here...and both are very knowledgable in this area. More than likely they can help answer your questions if you post them here.

Good luck.

May 12th, 2008, 08:35	#2
B767Driver Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,888	Re: Very Basic Aerodynamics Question My friend, you are asking very astute questions for someone of your age. As you continue to study basic aerodynamics, especially in books targeting pilots, you will find a myriad of different explanations concerning aerodynamic principles. Some of the explanations you will find in popular aviation training texts...are just plain wrong. Even the FAA, dating back to the 1960's, (as far as I can tell) has taught pilots inaccurate aeodynamic principles. Why has this occured? Most likely to "dumb down" very complex subjects to more basic concepts...like taking a very complex electrical schematic and making it a block diagram. Anyway...the reason an airplane produces lift with its wing, ailerons and elevator is because of the pressure differential produced. There is high pressure on one side of the wing and low pressure on the other side of the wing...and this pressure differential is the aerodynamic wonder that makes airplanes do the things they do. The whole "Newtonian" principles are at work...but they are secondary in response to the pressure differential created by the shape (camber) of the wing. It sounds like the text you are reading is on the right track. If you have more questions, this is a good forum because they are several guys here who really know how to separate the wheat from the chaff on this difficult topic. Now having said that, as you begin your flying lessons, understanding detailed aerodynamic principles won't be very important. Basic concepts will be just fine for now. If you don't feel you have a master's level understanding of aerodynamics...don't let it bother you. Over time you can pick up a better understanding. I had 8000 hrs of flying experience and was flying heavy jets...and still didn't 100% understand the more intricate details of aerodynamics. Even some aeronautical engineers have a difficult time explaining how lift is created. (They can run very complex formulas regarding fluid dynamics, but when you press them for the basics, some never seem to be able to communicate the basics in a nutshell.) Tgrayson and Fish are contributors here...and both are very knowledgable in this area. More than likely they can help answer your questions if you post them here. Good luck. __________________ A self described gym rat. "I got next."