Are lift and drag always perpendicular?
The lift and drag forces are the direct result of the relationship between the relative wind and the aircraft. The lift force always acts perpendicular to the relative wind and the drag force always acts parallel and in the same direction as the relative wind.
Does induced drag increase with speed?
Induced drag increases as the angle of attack of a wing increases. Induced drag therefore increases as airspeed decreases, as the angle of attack must increase to maintain the lift required for level flight. Parasite drag has little effect at low speeds, however it increases as airspeed increases.
Is lift perpendicular to airflow?
Lift is that component of the Total Reaction which is perpendicular to the relative airflow and Drag is that component which is parallel to the relative airflow.
Is lift perpendicular to chord?
The airflow over the wing increases its speed causing a reduction in pressure; this generates a force (lift) perpendicular to the chord of the aerofoil. The airflow below the wing moves much more slowly generating greater pressure and less or negative lift.
Why does air move faster over a wing?
A wing is shaped and tilted so the air moving over it moves faster than the air moving under it. As air speeds up, its pressure goes down. So the faster-moving air above exerts less pressure on the wing than the slower-moving air below. The result is an upward push on the wing—lift!
Can a plane fly with one engine?
Yes it can. A twin-engine aircraft can fly perfectly well on only one engine. In fact, it can even continue the take-off and then safely land with just one engine. Losing an engine in flight is not usually a particularly serious problem and the pilots are given extensive training to deal with such a situation.
Why do planes not fly over the Arctic?
Pilots descend to altitudes of around 10,000 feet over the Arctic, to prevent fuel from freezing, resulting in up-close views of a part of the world most people would never otherwise see.
Is it illegal to live in Antarctica?
The people who travel to or live in Antarctica fall into two main groups, those who live and work on scientific research stations or bases, and tourists. No-one lives in Antarctica indefinitely in the way that they do in the rest of the world. It has no commercial industries, no towns or cities, no permanent residents.
Why is no one allowed in Antarctica?
Antarctica is not a country: it has no government and no indigenous population. Instead, the entire continent is set aside as a scientific preserve. The Antarctic Treaty, which came into force in 1961, enshrines an ideal of intellectual exchange. Military activity is banned, as is prospecting for minerals.