In flight mechanics, airfoil lift refers to the aerodynamic force generated perpendicular to the flow direction when an airfoil (such as a wing) moves through a fluid, typically air. This lift force is produced due to the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil, according to Bernoulli’s principle and Newton’s third law of motion. The shape of the airfoil, angle of attack, and velocity of the fluid are key factors influencing lift generation. The formula to calculate Airfoil Lift as follows:
Where:
- Cl is the lift coefficient of airfoil,
- ρ is the density in kg/m3
- V is the Aircraft velocity in m/s
- S is the reference area in m2.