Principles of flight_chapter_5
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A glider generates lift by moving through the air and descending slowly, similar to a car coasting downhill. The distance a glider can travel depends on its gliding angle and the height to distance ratio, which for most gliders is 1:15, meaning they can glide 15km for every 1km of altitude. Wind also affects a glider's travel distance, with a glider flying downwind able to glide further than one flying into or away from the wind. Gliders use airbrakes rather than flaps, which are panels that pop out of the wing's top surface, allowing the glider to descend more steeply and land in smaller spaces.
Principles of flight_chapter_5
- 1. Principles of Flight Chapter 5 - Gliding
- 2. Forces on a Glider Unlike a normal aircraft a glider has no engine i.e. no thrust. So only 3 forces act on the Glider Weight, Drag, Lift
- 3. Lift Like a normal aircraft a glider has to generate lift it does this by moving through the air, falling slowly like a car coasting down hill It must descend constantly to have lift
- 4. Gliding Angle and Distance How far a glider travels depends on 2 things: The Gliding angle The angle at which it descends. The Height/Distance ratio Viking 1:15 so it will travel 15km for every km above the ground it is.
- 5. Effect of Wind A Glider flying away from the wind (Downwind) will travel further. A Glider Flying in to a 35kt wind at 35kts will appear to stay still in the air A glider flying at 35kts away from the wind will appear to be flying at 70 kts
- 6. Airbrakes Instead of flaps gliders use airbrakes. Panels which pop out of the top of the wings. To keep the same speed, the nose is put down increasing gliding angle Allows the glider to land in smaller spaces.