The sidewash angle refers to the lateral displacement of the relative wind resulting from the sideslip angle of an aircraft. It represents how the airflow is deflected sideways due to the aircraft’s lateral deviation from coordinated flight. This aerodynamic phenomenon plays a crucial role in influencing the distribution of forces on the aircraft during maneuvers. The sidewash angle contributes to the overall stability and control of the aircraft by affecting the aerodynamic interactions associated with sideslip. The formula to calculate sidewash angle as follows:
Where:
- σ is the sidewash angle in radian.
- β is the sideslip angle in radian.