Designer's Notebook

Last month we started our discussion of wing design with a look at the vertical placement of the wing on the fuselage (high versus...

Although we often consider maximizing airflow over the exterior of an aircraft, we sometimes neglect internal airflow design that can cause significant drag.

Deciding to use a fixed-pitch propeller or step up to the higher weight, cost, and complexity of a constant-speed prop in order to improve performance.

Stall flutter is the result of the elastic axis of a wings surface being aft of the aerodynamic center, resulting in instability. A vicious cycle of lift, twist, stall and lift may ensue.

Trailing edges are more than afterthoughts.

Don your thinking caps, kids. Its time to learn about the value of nondimensionalized aerodynamic data.

One effect of a rotating propellor: It acts as a gyroscope. What does this mean for the pilot?

Tail surface flutter.

Design process, part 2-how high should you fly?

Aeroelasticity.