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Principles of Flight

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Bernoulli's Principle

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Bernoulli's Principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in static pressure or a decrease in the fluid's potential energy. Applied to flight, this principle explains how airspeed differences above and below the wings create a pressure differential, generating lift.

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Angle of Attack

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The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the oncoming airflow. Adjusting the angle of attack changes the distribution of pressure over the wing, which affects lift. Excessive angles can lead to a stall.

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Lift Equation

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Lift (LL) is calculated by the equation

L=CL×12ρ×V2×SL = C_L \times \frac{1}{2} \rho \times V^2 \times S
where CLC_L is the lift coefficient, ρ\rho is air density, VV is velocity, and SS is wing area. This equation is fundamental for understanding how planes stay aloft and how varying conditions affect lift.

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Newton's Third Law of Motion

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For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law underpins the operation of jet engines and propellers, which produce thrust by expelling mass in one direction to propel the aircraft in the opposite direction.

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Drag Equation

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Drag (DD) is given by the equation

D=CD×12ρ×V2×SD = C_D \times \frac{1}{2} \rho \times V^2 \times S
where CDC_D is the drag coefficient, ρ\rho is air density, VV is velocity, and SS is reference area. In flight, reducing drag is key to improving fuel efficiency and speed.

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Newton's First Law of Motion

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A body at rest stays at rest, and a body in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net external force. This principle is seen when an aircraft cruises at a constant velocity due to the balance of all acting forces.

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Ground Effect

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A phenomenon occurring when an aircraft is close to the ground, resulting in increased lift and decreased aerodynamic drag. Pilots must account for ground effect during takeoff and landing.

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Stall

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A stall occurs when the critical angle of attack is exceeded, causing a sudden reduction in lift due to airflow separation over the wing. Pilots must manage the angle of attack to prevent stalls during critical flight phases.

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Mach Number

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A dimensionless unit representing the ratio of airspeed to the speed of sound in the same medium. In aviation, Mach number influences aircraft design, especially in transonic and supersonic flight regimes.

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Conservation of Momentum

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In the absence of external forces, the total momentum of a system remains constant. This principle is used in understanding the momentum exchange in propulsion systems and the aircraft's reaction to thrust.

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Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (TSFC)

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A measure of engine efficiency, defined as the fuel flow rate divided by the thrust generated. Lower TSFC values indicate more efficient fuel usage, which is essential for long-range flights.

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Newton's Second Law of Motion

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The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F=maF = ma). In flight, this law explains the aircraft's acceleration and deceleration based on thrust and mass.

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Vortex Generation

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Wingtip vortices are a byproduct of lift creation. These trailing vortices increase drag and can pose hazards to other aircraft, leading to the practice of proper spacing at airports to avoid wake turbulence.

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Camber

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The curvature of an airfoil above and below the chord line. Positive camber improves lift at the cost of increased drag, which is a trade-off that designers must balance for different flight conditions.

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Reynolds Number

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A dimensionless quantity that helps predict flow patterns in different fluid flow situations. In aeronautics, it's used to scale up or down test results, like those from wind tunnel tests to real-world scenarios.

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Thrust-to-Weight Ratio

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The ratio of thrust produced by the engines to the weight of the aircraft. A higher ratio means better performance in terms of climb rate and acceleration, critical in combat aircraft.

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Wing Loading

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The ratio of aircraft weight to wing area. Lower wing loading increases lift efficiency and maneuverability, which is particularly important for aircraft such as gliders.

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Conservation of Energy

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Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. In flight, potential and kinetic energy transformation plays an important role in climbing, descending, and cruising.

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Adiabatic Lapse Rate

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Refers to the rate of temperature decrease with altitude in the atmosphere under adiabatic conditions. Pilots use this knowledge for flight planning and performance calculations, especially during climb and descent.

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Density Altitude

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A measure of the air density given as an altitude above sea level. It affects aircraft performance, with higher density altitudes indicating lower air density, reducing lift, and engine performance.

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