Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft lift, Part 3

April 06, 2018, ©. Leeham News: In the last Corner, we discussed the pressure distribution of an aircraft’s wing when producing lift. This was with a conventional airfoil (though of the more laminar flow type). Now we continue by… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft drag reduction, Part 16

February 9, 2018, ©. Leeham Co: In the last Corner, we discussed some further aspects of supersonic flow. Now it’s time to talk about the drag created by supersonic flow on an aircraft. We will start with the full… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft drag reduction, Part 13

January 19, 2018, ©. Leeham Co: In the last Corner, we described how the boundary layer theory lead to the understanding of Friction drag for aircraft. The mechanisms behind Induced drag was understood about the same time. Once again… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft drag reduction, Part 11

January 05, 2018, ©. Leeham Co: In the last Corner we described a dominant drag component affecting the Wright Brothers’ Flyer, Form drag. The many wires and braces on the Flyer created separations and a high Form drag was… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft drag reduction, Part 10

December 22, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: In the last Corner, we described how the Wright Brothers flew a manned aircraft for the first time, propelled by its own power. Now we will disscuss what was known about what stopped… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft drag reduction, Part 4

October 27, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: In this and the following Corners, we will review the competition for first manned flight between Samuel Langley, high ranking scientist of Allegheny Observatory in Pittsburgh, and the Wright Brothers, bicycle manufacturers in… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft drag reduction, Part 3

Nov. 3, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: In the previous Corner, we described how the aeronautical pioneers gradually uncovered what held them back from flying their gliders and airplanes successfully. They knew they needed lift to fly. And to generate… Read More