9/16/24, 10:15 AM Activity 1.2.

5 Aerodynamic Forces

Activity 1.2.5

Aerodynamic Forces

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INTRODUCTION

Aircraft take flight through their ability to generate lift . As fluid flows over an
airfoil , lift and drag are generated, which can be calculated using the lift
equation.

RESOURCES

Aerodynamic Forces Lift and Drag

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9/16/24, 10:15 AM Activity 1.2.5 Aerodynamic Forces

Procedure

Presentation: Review Aerodynamic Forces Lift and Drag.

1 Enter the variable name for each symbol from the two
equations. Choose from the list of variable names (A-L).

Lift

Drag

Coefficient or Lift

Coefficient or Drag

Wing Area

Density

Velocity

List of Variable Names

a. Density of air

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b. Volume
c. Wing area
d. Recordable disc
e. Velocity
f. Drag
g. Pressure
h. Temperature
i. Coefficient of drag
j. Diameter
k. Lift
l. Coefficient of lift

2 Enter the unit that is used for each variable.

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9/16/24, 10:15 AM Activity 1.2.5 Aerodynamic Forces

Lift

Drag

Coefficient of Lift

Coefficient of Drag

Wing Area

Pressure

Density of Air

Velocity

Temperature

3 Identify the following equations from the options shown.

a. Lift
L=(Cl*A*p*v^2)/2
b. Drag
D=(C*d*A*pv^2)/2

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1. 3.

2. 4.

℃
℃

4 An F-22 pilot is flying 1,538 km/h at 2,734 m. She hits a

turbulent air pocket and needs to decrease the drag of her
plane to stabilize the flight. Select the best option from the list
to describe what she should do and then explain why, using
the drag equation as a guide.
a. Action:

She needs to decrease her v

b. Reason:

She can slow down and stop

1. Yaw right 3. Increase altitude 5. Retract flaps

2. Increase velocity 4. Decrease velocity 6. Roll right

5 An F-18 pilot is flying 1,538 km/h at 2,734 m. He hits a turbulent

air pocket and needs to increase the lift of his plane to stabilize
the flight. Select the best option from the list below to describe
what he should do and then explain why, using the lift equation
as a guide.
a. Action:

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Increase Velocity
b. Reason:

As the velocity increases alt

1. Yaw right 3. Increase altitude 5. Retract flaps

2. Increase velocity 4. Decrease velocity 6. Roll right

6 A recently designed aircraft wing is operating under the

conditions and specifications shown below. Show the
calculation to determine which option best describes the drag
force produced by the wing.

491 N
Specifications Possible Drag Forces
2
Wing area = 350 m 1. 2,705,700 N
Coefficient of drag = 0.074 2. 491 N
Flying at an altitude of 9,308 m where the 3. 82,800 N
temperature is –45.4 °C, the pressure is 29.4 kPa,
and the air density is 0.45 kg/m3
Flying at 84.3 m/s 4. 41,400 N

7 A recently designed aircraft wing is operating under the

conditions and specifications shown below. Show the
calculation to determine which option best describes the
coefficient of drag produced by the wing.
0.246
Specifications Possible Drag Coefficients
2
Wing area = 325 m 1. 22.8
Drag force = 274,231 N 2. 0.0033
Flying at an altitude of 4,286 m where the 3. 0.246
temperature is –12.8 °C, the pressure is 59.5 kPa,
and the air density is 0.80 kg/m3
Flying at 92.6 m/s 4. 0.123

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8 A Boeing 777 takes off from Denver Airport (1625 m elevation)

where the pressure is 101.8 kPa. Assume that the takeoff speed
is 99.4 m/s. This 777 has a takeoff weight of 2,897,229 N and
its wing area is 418.9 m2. What is the minimum coefficient of lift
needed at the point where the aircraft just lifts off the
ground? Note that these conditions are non-standard so use
altitude to calculate temperature then use the pressure given
to calculate density.

9 A Boeing 777 landed at Chicago O’Hare Airport (668 m

elevation) where the pressure is 98.8 kPa. Assume that the
landing speed is 196.4 mi/hr. This 777 wing has a coefficient of
drag of 0.034 and its wing area is 429.1 m2. What is the drag at
the point where the aircraft just lands on the ground? Note that
these conditions are non-standard so use altitude to calculate
temperature then use the pressure given to calculate density.

10 A Boeing 777 lands at Chicago O'Hare Airport (668 m

elevation) where the pressure is 98.8 kPa. This 777 wing has a
coefficient of lift of 1.46, and its wing area is 4618.8 ft2. When
the plane left St. Louis, its mass was 225,982 kg. Note that
kilograms is mass not weight, so you need to convert it. During
the flight to Chicago, 7,534 liters of fuel was used, where the
jet fuel weighs 0.781 kg/L. What is the velocity in miles-per-hour
at the point where the aircraft initially touches the ground?

11 A Boeing 777-200LR loaded to 92% of its maximum takeoff

weight takes off from Dubai International Airport (24.4 m
elevation) during an average day in July (34.5 °C), with a
standard pressure for the day (101.3 kPa). A 777-200 has a
maximum takeoff mass of 347,452 kg, and its wing area is
427.8 m2. Assume that the takeoff speed is 376 kmph. What is
the minimum coefficient of lift needed at the point where the
aircraft just lifts off the ground?

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12 If the same aircraft has a coefficient of lift of 1.24, how much

extra lift is available for climbing off the runway?

13 The same aircraft lands in Hong Kong after a long flight (over
5,950 km) that used 82,900 liters (21,900 gallons) of fuel.
Assume the same 1.24 coefficient of lift and that the jet fuel
burned weighed 0.803 kg/l (6.7 lb/gal). Hong Kong average
summer temperature is 91 °F (32.8 °C) with a standard pressure
for the day (101.29 kPa). What is the minimum speed at which
the aircraft can land?

14 Use the landing speed calculated in the previous question and

assume that the coefficient of drag is 0.087. How much drag
will that same aircraft produce upon landing in Hong Kong?

CAREER CONNECTIONS

Human-Computer and NASA Scientist

Before digital computers became widely
available, “human computers” manually
calculated data for complex engineering tasks.
Annie Easly was one such human computer,
making calculations for the Aircraft Engine
Research Laboratory, the predecessor of a
Annie Easly Source
NASA research center. When digital computers
replaced human computers, Easly evolved with the technology
to become a computer scientist for NASA. Throughout her
career, she was a role model and trailblazer, advocating for
gender, race, and age equality.

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CONCLUSION

1 Why would an aerospace engineer limit the maximum angle of deflection

of the control surfaces?

2 Describe how these variables will be affected by the use of flaps.

a. Lift
b. Drag
c. Takeoff airspeed
d. Takeoff distance
e. Wing camber

3 What is the advantage of using flaps at takeoff?

4 What is the advantage of using flaps when landing?

5 Explain why flaps should never be used at cruising airspeed.

6 Describe how the coefficient of lift could be changed to lower the landing
speed.

7 What factors could have changed the aircraft drag in these calculations?

8 Explain any surprises you discovered about the magnitude of the values
used in procedure.

Proceed to next activity

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