Flying Electric RC Airplane - Basics of Aerodynamics

This topic explains you the basics of aerodynamicshorizontal stabilizer. Rudder helps to move the plane
and airplane parts. A lot more goes on behind theleft or right, whereas elevator is used to move the
scenes when you fly your RC Airplane. Understandingairplane up or down.
the basics of aerodynamics and airplane parts canLanding Gear supports the airplane and absorbs the
really help you gain the mastery in flying your Electricloads during landing. Landing gear mainly consists of
RC Airplane.three wheels, two main wheels located on the either
Why do you need to learn Basics of Aerodynamics toside of the fuselage and a third wheel located either at
fly your RC Airplane?the front or the back of the Airplane.
The key difference between the experts andPowerplant includes engine and propeller. The main job
amateurs is that the experts understand their materialof engine is to provide the power to turn the propeller
from "inside-out".which in turn translates the rotating force of engine into
If you enjoy flying your RC Airplane, you need tothe forward-acting force known as thrust to help
master these material to become an expert at flying it.move the airplane forward in the air.
Not understanding this material would make the art ofForces Acting on Airplane
flying as something very complex and difficult. NotThe four forces acting on airplane at any given time
understanding this material would make you feel like anare Lift, Weight, Drag, and Thrust. In straight and level
outsider, merely using your RC Airplane as a toy. If youun-accelerated flight, lift equals weight and thrust
want to get good at flying it, you need to consider thisequals drag.
as an art, not a hobby.What makes Airplane Fly?
You don't need to be a science geek to understand it -In order to understand what makes airplane fly, we
it is presented in a fairly simple language and if you areneed to understand a simple scientific principle. Don't be
attentive, you will really enjoy reading this material.too intimidated, this principle is fairly simple.
Here we go...Enjoy!Bernoulli's principle states that "as the velocity of fluid
Parts of Airplaneincreases, its internal pressure decreases." Surface of
Airplane can be divided into five main parts: Fuselage,wing when interacts with the airstream, it generates lift.
Wing, Empennage, Powerplant, and Landing Gear.The air moves a lot faster from the upper surface of
Each of these five parts have their own functions.the airfoil, which causes lower air pressure on top,
Fuselage is the central component of airplane - thewhereas, low-velocity air flow through the bottom of
other parts are usually attached the fuselage.the airfoil causes high pressure at the bottom of the
Wings make the aircraft fly - they generate essentialairfoil. This difference in pressure is what causes the
force called "lift" that makes the airplane fly. Airplanesforce of lift - that's how airplanes fly.
with single set of wings are known as monoplanes,Aircraft Axes of Flight
whereas the ones with two sets are called biplanes.There are three axes of flight: Longitudinal, lateral, and
Wings contain two other parts of airplane known asvertical axes. These three axes have a common
aileron and flaps. Ailerons move in opposite directionreference point known as the center of gravity.
and cause the airplane to roll. Flaps, when movedWhen the aileron's move, they cause rolling movement
downwards, extend the lifting force during take-offsalong the longitudinal axis of airplane. When the
and landings.elevator's move, they cause pitch up or pitch down
The Empennage includes vertical stabilizer, horizontalmovement along the lateral axis of airplane.
stabilizer. Rudder is attached to the end of verticalWhen the Rudder moves, it causes rotational
stabilizer, whereas elevator is attached to the end ofmovements along the vertical axis of airplane.