Basic Aerodynamics
Airfoil - correct answer is a structure or body which produces a useful reaction to air movement.
Airplane wings, helicopter rotor blades and propellers are airfoils.
Chord Line - correct answer is an imaginary straight line from the leading edge to the trailing edge of
an airfoil. Changing the shape of an airfoil will change the chord line
relative wind - correct answer is the wind relative to the airfoil. it is created by the movement of air
past an airfoil, by the motion of an airfoil through the air, or by a combination of the two.
angle of attack - correct answer is the angle between the chord line of the airfoil and the relative
wind. By manipulating the aircraft controls, the pilot can vary the angle of attack
angle of incidence - correct answer is the angle at which a wing is attached to the aircraft fuselage.
The airplane pilot has not control of the angle of incidence
lateral axis - correct answer is an imaginary line from wingtip to wingtip for an airplane
pitch - correct answer is the rotation around the lateral axis, and is controlled by the airplane's
elevators, or by pushing the yoke forward or pulling it backwards
longitudinal control or longitudinal stability - correct answer is the rotation along the lateral axis, or
pitch
longitudinal axis - correct answer is an imaginary line from the nose to the tail of the airplane.
Roll - correct answer is the rotation around the longitudinal axis and is controlled by use of the
ailerons
, lateral control or lateral stability - correct answer is the rotation along the longitudinal axis
Vertical axis - correct answer is an imaginary line extending vertically through the intersection of the
lateral and longitudinal axes
Yaw - correct answer is the rotation around the vertical axis and is controlled by the rudder
directional control or directional stability - correct answer is the rotation along the vertical axis
center of gravity - correct answer is the imaginary point where all of the weight of the airplane is
concentrated, which would be the point where the airplane would balance if it was held at that point,
and is also where all three of the axes intersect
The four aerodynamic forces - correct answer Weight, Lift, Drag, and Thrust
Lift - correct answer is the result of a pressure difference between the top and the bottom of the
wing, where air over the top camber of the wing moves faster, and the air on the bottom camber moves
slower
Bernoulli's Principle - correct answer is that as the velocity of a fluid (gas or liquid) increases, its
pressure decreases
Weight - correct answer is the force with which gravity attracts all bodies vertically toward the center
of the earth
Thrust - correct answer is the forward force which is produced by the propeller acting as an airfoil to
displace a large mass of air to the rear.
Drag - correct answer is a rearward-acting force which resists the forward movement of an airplane
through the air - with the two types of drag being parasite and induced drag