Flight Mechanics

In flight mechanics, the load factor during a pull-up maneuver refers to the factor by which the total aerodynamic force on an aircraft exceeds its weight. This increase in load factor is a consequence of the aircraft’s acceleration upwards, resulting in greater gravitational forces acting on it. The formula to calculate Load Factor as follows: […]

The load factor in a pull-down maneuver is the ratio of the total aerodynamic force to the weight of the aircraft. Specifically, it is the reciprocal of the cosine of the bank angle. The load factor quantifies the increase in apparent weight experienced by the aircraft during the maneuver due to the combination of gravitational

The load factor in flight mechanics, given by the turn radius, is a measure of the force experienced by an aircraft during a coordinated turn. It represents the ratio of the total lift force to the weight of the aircraft. The load factor is influenced by the bank angle, with higher bank angles leading to

Ground speed is the horizontal speed of an aircraft or other object relative to the Earth’s surface. It is the actual speed at which the object is moving over the ground. The ground speed is affected by both the true airspeed (the speed of the aircraft through the air) and the wind speed and direction.

Equivalent Airspeed (EAS) in flight mechanics refers to the calibrated airspeed corrected for compressibility effects. It represents the airspeed at sea level that would result in the same dynamic pressure as the true airspeed at a given altitude. EAS is a valuable parameter for aircraft performance calculations and flight testing, allowing for a more accurate

Calibrated Airspeed in flight mechanics refers to the airspeed measurement corrected for instrument and installation errors. It accounts for inaccuracies in the airspeed indicator due to factors like instrument calibration and aircraft-specific installation effects, providing a more accurate representation of the actual airspeed. Where: ρSL is the density at sea level in kg/m3. PSL is

True Airspeed (TAS) in flight mechanics is the actual speed of an aircraft through the air, accounting for variations in air density due to changes in altitude and temperature. It represents the velocity relative to the surrounding air mass, providing a more accurate measure than Indicated Airspeed (IAS). Pilots use correction factors to convert IAS

In flight mechanics, pressure refers to the force applied per unit area by the surrounding air onto an aircraft’s surfaces. This vital parameter influences aerodynamic forces and is affected by factors such as altitude, airspeed, and temperature. The formula to calculate pressure as follows: Where: ρ is the density in kg/m3. R is the specific

Average dynamic pressure refers to the mean kinetic energy per unit area experienced by an aircraft due to its motion through the air. It is a measure of the pressure exerted by the fluid due to its motion. It characterizes the pressure exerted by the airflow due to its motion and is a critical parameter

The average Mach number in flight mechanics represents the ratio of an aircraft’s average true airspeed to the speed of sound in the surrounding air. It is a dimensionless parameter crucial for characterizing an aircraft’s speed, particularly in high-speed and supersonic flight regimes. The formula to calculate average Mach Number as follows: Where: Vavg is