Flight Mechanics

In flight mechanics, the lift coefficient (Cl) is a dimensionless parameter that plays a fundamental role in aerodynamics and the analysis of aircraft performance. It is a key concept used to describe the lift generated by an airfoil (such as a wing) or an entire aircraft. The lift coefficient is defined as the ratio of […]

In flight mechanics, “high propeller efficiency” refers to a condition where the aircraft’s propeller operates with minimal losses and converts a significant portion of the engine’s power into useful thrust. Propeller efficiency is a crucial factor in aircraft performance as it directly affects fuel consumption, range, and overall effectiveness of the propulsion system. ηp= (2/1+Vj/V

Thrust generated by a jet engine. According to Newton’s second law of motion, the force acting on an object is equal to the change in its momentum per unit time1 T=m*(Vj-V infinite) T = Thrust generated by the jet engine or propulsion system (force in Newtons or pounds-force) m = Mass flow rate of air

In flight mechanics, the “Coefficient of Power” (Cp) is a dimensionless parameter used to characterize the efficiency of a propeller or a wind turbine. It quantifies the conversion of power from the fluid (air) into useful work (thrust for a propeller or mechanical power for a wind turbine). Cp is particularly important in assessing the

In flight mechanics, “constant torque” refers to a condition where the engine or propulsion system of an aircraft generates a constant level of torque output, regardless of the engine’s rotational speed (RPM). Torque is a measure of the twisting force produced by the engine’s crankshaft and transmitted to the propeller or rotor system. Q0 =

In flight mechanics, the “resultant velocity at the propeller tip” refers to the total velocity experienced by the air at the outermost portion of the propeller blade. It is the vector sum of the freestream velocity (Vinfinite) and the tangential velocity due to the rotational motion of the propeller (Vt). Vrtip = (Vinfinite^2 + 2

In flight mechanics, the “thrust acting on the disc” refers to the total force exerted by the propeller or rotor on the surrounding air as it accelerates the air in the downward direction to generate lift or propulsion. This concept is particularly relevant for propellers and helicopters or other rotary-wing aircraft.   T = Thrust

In flight mechanics, “propeller efficiency” refers to the measure of how effectively a propeller converts the engine power into useful thrust to propel an aircraft forward. It quantifies the efficiency of the propeller in converting rotational mechanical power from the engine into forward motion. T = Thrust produced by the propeller (force in Newtons or

In flight mechanics, the “specific fuel consumption” (SFC) of a turbofan engine refers to the rate at which the engine consumes fuel to produce a certain amount of thrust or power. It is a critical parameter used to evaluate the efficiency and fuel economy of a turbofan engine. Specific fuel consumption is typically expressed as