Aerodynamics Explained by a World Record Paper Airplane Designer | Level Up | WIRED

Understanding Flight Principles

The Classic Dart

• The classic dart airplane is undemanding to fold but requires precise folds for proper aerodynamics.

• Key adjustments for better flight:

  • Positive Dihedral Angle: Angling wings upward for stability; this keeps the lifting surface over the weight center.

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  • Up Elevator: Bending the tail of the wings upward assists in lifting the nose of the plane.

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• Drag, or air resistance, is a force that opposes the motion of a paper airplane, slowing it down and reducing its flight distance; a balance of aerodynamic forces is crucial.

Aerodynamic Forces

• Four main aerodynamic forces affect flight:

  • Lift: Opposes gravity.

  • Gravity: Pulls objects toward the Earth.

  • Thrust: Pushes the object forward.

  • Drag: Sum of air resistance against the object; reduction of drag is essential for better performance.

Practical Applications on Aerodynamics

Drag and Lift

• As the dart flies, its design causes significant drag and inadequate lift.

• Bernoulli's principle is traditionally thought to explain lift, but the Coanda effect and Newton's laws reveal more accurate insights into airflow and lift generation.

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  The air moves around wings in a way that creates downward pressure, leading to upward lift.

Improving Design Strategies

The Phoenix Lock

• Designed as a glider with larger wings and a forward center of gravity for greater lift.

• Advantages include a better glide and higher aerodynamic efficiency compared to the dart.

• Wing Loading: Refers to the ratio of the plane's weight to wing area. Lower wing loading allows slower flights, while higher loading requires faster speeds for lift.

• Examples: Monarch butterflies (low wing loading) vs jet fighters (high wing loading).

The Super Canard

• Features two sets of wings for better stability and stall resistance.

• Structural design facilitates stronger thrust without sacrificing balance or performance.

• Understanding and controlling stalling through aerodynamic design lead to safer flight characteristics.

The Tube Plane

• A unique design without traditional wings, relying on spinning for lift using a boundary layer effect.

• Boundary layers interact with air dynamics to allow flight without conventional wing structures.

• Reynolds Number: Measures the flow characteristics around wings, helping to predict flow patterns and the effects of various speeds and sizes.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Design - Suzanne

• Suzanne is a highly efficient airplane design, showcasing optimal lift-to-drag ratio for distance.

• Key components include precise folding and a well-placed center of gravity.

• Understanding empirical findings in fluid dynamics aids in addressing significant challenges in technology and sustainability.

• Lessons learned from paper airplanes can lead to advancements in weather prediction, wind energy, and other technological efficiencies.