Standard coverage in basic aerodynamic books tends to be deficient in detail. The author picks 4 topics where missing detail can be counter-productive. Dimensional analysis as used to derive the force conefficient must begin with a three-dimensional wind; this has the added advantage of bringing out the aspect ratio (AR) directly. Inviscid flow equations can be used to calculate lift but lift originates from the circulation which is produced by viscous interactions. At angles of attack above 15 deg, thin airfoil theory requires modifications which still yield the very useful, closed form solutions of this theory as indicated in the paper. Finally, the aerodynamic center is shown to be at the quarter-chord location via a direct manipulation of thin-airfoil theory results.
展开▼
