Types of Aircraft Drag Explained: Induced, Profile and Interference Drag

Types of Aircraft Drag Explained: Induced, Profile and Interference Drag An aircraft experiences several forms of aerodynamic drag at the same time. Some result from generating lift, some arise as air flows over the aircraft’s surfaces, and others are created when airflow around neighbouring components interacts. For a conventional aircraft in subsonic flight, total drag […]

Induced Drag Explained: Why Flying Slower Can Increase Drag

Induced Drag Explained: Why Flying Slower Can Increase Drag Why can an aircraft experience more drag when it flies more slowly? We usually associate greater speed with greater air resistance, but a wing must also generate enough lift to support the aircraft. Induced drag is the drag associated with producing lift on a finite-span wing. […]

Laminar vs Turbulent Boundary Layers: Why Airflow Separates from Aircraft Wings

Laminar vs Turbulent Boundary Layers: Why Airflow Separates from Aircraft Wings Airflow around an aircraft wing is often shown as smooth streamlines passing neatly over the aerofoil. In reality, the thin layer of air immediately next to the wing surface behaves very differently from the undisturbed airflow further away. This region is called the boundary […]