The lift coefficient at maximum lift-to-drag ratio () represents the lift coefficient at which an aircraft achieves its maximum aerodynamic efficiency. This efficiency point is crucial for optimizing an aircraft’s performance, especially during cruising conditions when minimizing drag and maximizing lift are essential for fuel efficiency.
The formula for calculating is as follows:
- is the lift coefficient at maximum lift-to-drag ratio (dimensionless).
- is the parasite drag coefficient (dimensionless) at the specific flight condition.
- is the mathematical constant pi, approximately equal to 3.14159.
- is the wing’s aspect ratio (dimensionless).