Aerospace

Static Stability

The initial tendency of an aircraft to return to its original position after being disturbed.

Dynamic Stability

The behavior of an aircraft over time after a disturbance, considering changes in motion.

Positive Stability

When an aircraft moves away from an area of disturbance.

Negative Stability

When an aircraft moves toward an area of disturbance.

Neutral Stability

When there is no movement after a disturbance.

Roll Stability

The aircraft’s movement around its longitudinal axis.

Asymmetric Thrust

Instability caused by uneven thrust from the engines.

Vertical Stabilizer

Part of the aircraft that helps keep it flying straight.

Dissymmetry of Lift

The imbalance in lift between the advancing and retreating blades of a rotor.

Cyclic Control

The control that directs a helicopter in any horizontal direction.

Collective Control

The control mechanism that increases or decreases lift in helicopters.

Weathercock Stability

The helicopter's tendency to turn into the relative wind.

Elevator

Control surface used to manage pitch in an aircraft.

Ailerons

Control surfaces used to manage roll in an aircraft.

Rudder

Control surface used to manage yaw in an aircraft.

Fly-by-Wire

Control system where electronic signals control the aircraft's flight surfaces.

Skidding Turn

An airplane slides outside the arc of a turn.

Rate of Turn Formula

1,091 x tangent of the bank angle / airspeed in knots = degrees per second.

Load Factor

Measured in Gs; it indicates the amount of force applied to an aircraft that affects its flight.

Maneuvering Speed (V(a))

The maximum speed at which a pilot can fly during turbulent conditions without risking structural damage.