Basics | Aerodynamics

Caused by the friction of air hitting the solid body of the vehicle and the "interference" of parts like mirrors or landing gear.

Aerodynamics is the study of how air moves and the forces that act on objects as they move through it. From the flight of a jumbo jet to the curve of a baseball, these principles govern how physical objects interact with our atmosphere. The Four Forces of Flight aerodynamics basics

Nature abhors a vacuum; the high pressure below pushes the wing upward toward the low pressure above. This pressure differential is a primary source of lift. Caused by the friction of air hitting the

Every time a jetliner lifts 400 tons of metal into the sky, every time a race car hugs the asphalt at 200 mph, and every time a simple paper dart glides across a classroom, one invisible phenomenon is at work: . The Four Forces of Flight Nature abhors a

The perfect aerodynamic object would slide through the atmosphere leaving no wake, making no sound, and requiring no energy to maintain speed (Zero Drag). Unfortunately, physics prevents perfection.

For steady motion (cruising speed), these forces must be in equilibrium: