Aerodynamic Forces in Flight
Maneuvers and Stalls
By:
Kyle Benton
Forces In Turns
• Lift ceases to act directly opposite of the
weight, but now in the direction of the bank
• Vertical and Horizontal components of lift
• Centrifugal force acts equal and opposite to
the horizontal component
• In turns, the angle of attack must be increased
to form additional lift or altitude will be lost
Forces in Turns
Forces In Climbs
• Initially, the lift and angle of attack are
increased when inclining, but revert back to
original values at level flight
• Total drag slows down the airplane until the
forces of thrust are equal to drag plus an
additional percentage of weight
Forces In Descents
• Opposite of a climb, the angle of attack
decreases momentarily, which causes lift to
decrease
• Power must be reduced to descend at the
same airspeed that the descent was entered
at
Stalls
• Takes place upon rapid decrease in lift and the
separation of airflow from the wing’s surface
• The wing never completely stops producing
lift in a stall
• Stalling speed is not a fixed value for all
situations
References
• FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical
Knowledge