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I'm a computer scientist that likes to read about math and physics occasionally. A local author at a nearby aviation center brought bernoulli's flight equations into question.

It was clear enough logic, but I didn't understand all the math involved. He basically said that the lift equations don't account for why a plane can have lift while it's still upside down and took some sample data on his small aircraft to show.

Anyhow, I didn't know what to make of it, my only point of view and my first acquaintance with flight physics.

How much effect does Bernoulli's equations play in flight, especially when an aircraft is upside down?

He suggested that Newton did some early work on lift equations, is this true?

What is a sufficient way to view Bernoulli's lift equations?

jaypowers
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1 Answers1

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It is absolutely true that the Bernoulli effect is not necessary in order for a wing to produce lift. Ultimately a wing produces lift by directing air flowing over the wings downward. The can be achieved by ramming air downward through the wing's "angle of attack" with respect to the air flow. This is why an airplane can fly upside down: the Bernoulli effect plays only a minor role, and the angle of attack is the primary force in guiding air downwards. The shape of the wing is not simply designed with the Bernoulli effect in mind: the goal is to produce smooth laminar flow of air over the wings so that the angle of attack (along with the shape of the tailing edge of the wing) can efficiently direct the air downward. A stall is when that laminar flow is disrupted such that the air no longer follows the shape of the wing and so can no longer be directed downward by the wing's shape and angle of attack.

user1247
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