ATO Basic Aerodynamics

Question 1

List four forces that act on an aircraft

Answer 1

Lift
Weight
Thrust
Drag

Question 2

Newton’s first law

Answer 2

An object will continue moving in space at a constant velocity unless an external force is applied

Question 3

Newton’s second law

Answer 3

If a force is applied to a body it will accelerate at a rate proportional to its mass and the force applied.
F=ma

Question 4

Newton’s third law

Answer 4

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

Question 5

What is potential energy

Answer 5

The Wendy a body possessed by virtue of its position in a force field = energy stored.

Question 6

What is kinetic energy

Answer 6

The energy a body possesses by virtue of its motion proportional to velocity and mass.

Question 7

Describe static pressure

Answer 7

Unchanging pressure felt at any one time given a certain set of conditions

Question 8

Describe dynamic pressure

Answer 8

The active pressure felt by a stream of molecules hitting something

Question 9

Describe the pressure flow effects on an aerofoil

Answer 9

Static pressure above the aerofoil decreases and dynamic pressure increases.
This change in pressure makes lift ig

Question 10

Describe an aerofoil

Answer 10

Any body which when set at a suitable angle to a given airflow, produces much more lift than drag.

Question 11

Relative airflow

Answer 11

The airforce relative to an airfoil

Question 12

Aerodynamic stall

Answer 12

The point at which an aerofoil no longer produces lift by increasing the angle of attack (AOA) typically 15-20 degs

Question 13

Chord line

Answer 13

Straight line joining the leading and trailing edges

Question 14

Angle of attack

Answer 14

Angle between the chord and the relative airflow

Question 15

Attitude

Answer 15

Is the pitch angle or angle relative to the earths horizon made by the wing

Question 16

Airspeed

Answer 16

The speed of an aircraft relative to the air