Why we don’t understand heavier-than-air flight

Re:Why we don’t understand heavier-than-air flight by benhurmarcel on Saturday June 26, 2021 @06:22PM (#27646496)

> a re-vectoring of horizontal thrust in a downward direction. Literally the engine pushes horizontally accelerated air downward and the action-reaction mechanic causes an equal but opposite upward force lifting the plane.

You mean the wing, not the engine.

But even then that doesn't answer the question. It's just another way of looking at the effect, but it doesn't explain the cause. The question is then why/how does the wing pushes that air downward?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why we don’t understand heavier-than-air flight by lowkey on Sunday June 27, 2021 @10:22AM (#27651779)

> You mean the wing, not the engine.

Yes, clarifying I meant the wing not the engine.

> The question is then why/how does the wing pushes that air downward?

Fair point. I honestly didn’t expect this quality of analysis on the topic.

I believe that another phenomenon is required to complete the explanation in addition to Newton. Couette flow explains why streamlines closest to the wing tend to follow the shape of the wing. Hence the vectoring effect. I’m sure a better article exists but Wikipedia is a bit lacking unfortunately.

[1]Couette Flow - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couette_flow

[ Parent | on HN ]