The Prandtl-Glauert factor (P) is a correction used in aerodynamics to analyze lift and drag characteristics of an airfoil at high subsonic speeds, addressing compressibility effects as the aircraft nears the speed of sound. It corrects lift and drag coefficients calculated under incompressible flow assumptions, ensuring more accurate results at elevated subsonic speeds. The Prandtl-Glauert factor is given by the formula:
Where:
- is the Prandtl-Glauert factor,
- is the Mach number, representing the ratio of the aircraft’s speed to the speed of sound.