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) and Mach number (M) affect the lift curve slope. A useful expression for its derivation (ref Howe) in this instance is given
below:
a = 2 / [(0.32 + (0.16 A / cos
)) (1 - (M cos
)
2
)
] per radian
Note that the Oswald efficiency factor and 2-D lift curve slope terms are no longer present as it is the sweep, aspect ratio and Mach number which are
the dominant factors.
Example
Calculate the lift curve slope for a wing of aspect ratio = 10, quarter-chord sweepback angle = 33
o
and M = 0.82.
Solution: a = 2 / [(0.32 + (0.16 A / cos
)) (1 - (M cos
)
2
)
) and Mach number (M) affect the lift curve slope. A useful expression for its derivation (ref Howe) in this instance is given
below:
a = 2 / [(0.32 + (0.16 A / cos
)) (1 - (M cos
)
2
)
] per radian
Note that the Oswald efficiency factor and 2-D lift curve slope terms are no longer present as it is the sweep, aspect ratio and Mach number which are
the dominant factors.
Example
Calculate the lift curve slope for a wing of aspect ratio = 10, quarter-chord sweepback angle = 33
o
and M = 0.82.
Solution: a = 2 / [(0.32 + (0.16 A / cos
)) (1 - (M cos
)
2
)
/V
is defined to be the Mach number or M. The Reynolds number is the dimensionless quantity associated with the fluid viscosity
whereas the Mach number is associated with the fluid compressibility. Surface roughness influences the transition from a laminar to
a turbulent flow. Air turbulence represents the degree of the wake formed past the separation points. Furthermore, the effects of
attitude and shape of a body are lumped together into the factor called K. Then,
Lift = r
x V
2
x
S
x K (2)
The dynamic pressure of airflow was previously defined as 1/2 pV
2
so if a value of 1/2 is included in equation (1) and the value of K
is doubled to keep the equation the same, 2K may be replaced by C
L
. Finally,
Lift = C
L
x
r
x V
2
x
S
Lift = C
L
x
r
x V
2
x
S (3)
Equation (3) is the fundamental lift formula for usual aircraft flight. C
L
is known as the coefficient of lift. The equation states simply
that aerodynamic lift is determined by a coefficient of lift times the free-stream dynamic pressure r