Flight Mechanics

Average velocity in flight mechanics refers to the overall motion of an aircraft over a specific period of time. It is defined as the total displacement of the aircraft divided by the total time taken. This concept provides a measure of the average speed and direction of the aircraft during that time interval, offering insights […]

Indicated airspeed (IAS) is the measure of an aircraft’s speed relative to the air around it as displayed on the airspeed indicator. It is a crucial parameter for pilots, providing real-time information on the aircraft’s velocity during flight. The formula to calculate Indicated airspeed (IAS) as follows:  Where: Vc is the Calibrated airspeed (CAS) in

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, the pressure correction factor is a parameter used to adjust indicated airspeed readings for variations in atmospheric pressure. It compensates for the impact of changing air density with altitude, providing a corrected airspeed known as calibrated airspeed. This correction ensures more accurate airspeed measurements, critical for precise aircraft performance and navigation, especially

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

The dynamic pressure ratio refers to the comparison of dynamic pressures at two specific points in the airflow around an aircraft. The dynamic pressure ratio is a dimensionless parameter that characterizes the relative change in dynamic pressure between two locations in the airflow. The formula to calculate Dynamic pressure ratio as follows: Where: qh is

The horizontal tail angle of attack in flight mechanics refers to the angle between the chord line of the horizontal tail surfaces and the oncoming airflow. This angle is critical for the aerodynamic performance and stability of the aircraft. The horizontal tail angle of attack is typically set to contribute to the overall stability and

The angle of attack of the wing in flight mechanics is the angle between the chord line of the wing  and the oncoming airflow. This parameter represents how much the wing is tilted relative to the oncoming air, influencing the aerodynamic forces generated by the wing, angle of attack is a critical factor influencing lift

The yawing moment due to side force on the vertical tail refers to the rotational force created around the aircraft’s center of gravity when the aircraft experiences sideslip. This moment (Nv) is directly proportional to the side force (Yv) generated by the vertical tail. The lever arm (lv) represents the distance from the center of

The gearing ratio in flight mechanics represents the relationship between the movement or deflection of a control surface on an aircraft and the corresponding input from the pilot via the control stick or yoke. Mathematically, it is expressed as the ratio of the control surface deflection  to the control input . A higher gearing ratio