Wind Tunnel
Increasing the weight of an aircraft will affect its performance in all phases of flight.
Wind Tunnel
Sometimes adding accoutrements, paint, interior embellishments and other must-haves can result in a weight penalty that is difficult to overcome.
Wind Tunnel
When the airflow separates from a surface, the result can be unsteady forces or turbulent wake shedding, neither of which is desirable.
Wind Tunnel
This month well look at another complex interaction between aerodynamics and aircraft structures that can cause structures to fail: fabric flutter.
Wind Tunnel
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.
Wind Tunnel
Barnaby Wainfan offers an explanation of how tail surfaces can be subject to flutter and how to avoid the potentially disastrous result.
Wind Tunnel
Aerodynamic flutter has been a recent concern in the homebuilt world. What exactly is flutter? What causes it? Barnaby Wainfan clarifies an often misunderstood and potentially dangerous phenomenon.
Wind Tunnel
Airplanes are surprisingly flexible, and changes in their shape can affect aerodynamic characteristics. Barnaby Wainfan explains how the two are coupled.
Combating Carb Ice
Barnaby Wainfan examines a sneaky and sometimes little understood cause of in-flight scares and engine failures: carb ice.
Wind Tunnel
Barnaby Wainfan brings aerodynamics to life with an illustrated field guide to the various devices seen at AirVenture.
In Case You Missed It
Light Stuff
The 2012 World Paramotor Championship provided an excuse for a trip to the mountains of Spain, and an opportunity to see the world’s best in action. Roy Beisswenger helped judge the proceedings (and seemed to be the only American there).
A Custom Maintenance Manual for a Custom Aircraft
It may not be required, but it's essential for performing thorough inspections.
Alternate Pitch Control
When elevator control is lost, there are ways to get the plane on the ground safely using power and trim.