Stagnation Point
B
A
Compare the upper surface of an airfoil with the constriction
in a venturi tube that is narrower in the middle
than at the ends. [Figure 2-9]
The upper half of the venturi tube can be replaced by
layers of undisturbed air. Thus, as air flows over the
upper surface of an airfoil, the camber of the airfoil
causes an increase in the speed of the airflow. The
increased speed of airflow results in a decrease in pressure
on the upper surface of the airfoil. At the same
time, air flows along the lower surface of the airfoil,
building up pressure. The combination of decreased
pressure on the upper surface and increased pressure
on the lower surface results in an upward force.
[Figure 2-10]
As angle of attack is increased, the production of lift is
increased. More upwash is created ahead of the airfoil
as the leading edge stagnation point moves under the
leading edge, and more downwash is created aft of the
trailing edge. Total lift now being produced is perpendicular
to relative wind. In summary, the production of
lift is based upon the airfoil creating circulation in the
airstream (Magnus Effect) and creating differential
pressure on the airfoil (Bernoulli’s Principle).
NEWTON’S THIRD LAW OF MOTION
Additional lift is provided by the rotor blade’s lower
surface as air striking the underside is deflected down-
Figure 2-10. Lift is produced when there is decreased pressure
above and increased pressure below an airfoil.
Lift
Decreased Pressure
Increased Pressure
Increased Velocity
Decreased Pressure
Figure 2-9. The upper surface of an airfoil is similar to the
constriction in a venturi tube.
2-5
DRAG
The force that resists the movement of a helicopter
through the air and is produced when lift is developed
is called drag. Drag always acts parallel to the relative
wind. Total drag is composed of three types of drag:
profile, induced, and parasite.
PROFILE DRAG
Profile drag develops from the frictional resistance of
the blades passing through the air. It does not change
significantly with the airfoil’s angle of attack, but
increases moderately when airspeed increases. Profile
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