Recent content by Diresu

Thanks Jeff and Danger! Danger, I thought drag was only thing that reduced top speed. Extra weight reduces top speed only if it changes the way the plane sits and creates more drag. If the plane sat the same in the air the extra weight wouldn't reduce top speed. Realistically any extra...

Does the weight of an aircraft effect acceleration on a flat trajectory? Obviously the Earth is round making a truly flat trajectory impossible but I'm trying to simplify this. Example) Would an aircraft that weighs (Force*Mass) 10,000 Kg accelerate slower with an additional 5,000Kg of...

Thanks chan! Sadly I've been sworn off working on this thing until next week. That integral does look like a monster. By if there is an ordered set of steps I'm sure I can do it. I'm going to save that and come back to it next week. Thanks!

Thanks xez, That site is gold! I'll put it in my favorites. As for my equation I'm looking for something just that simple, i.e. the rocket equation. I'm trying to create something theoretical with just a few variables. Don't worry though, I'm hot on the trail of that equation. Sadly...

Thanks xez I read your post several times and decided to do a test. I used a graphics program and built a 45 degree angle and measured the distances. Holy smokes you are right. I uploaded it here http://imageigloo.com/images/72145degree.gif It sounds counterintuitive and yet it is...

xez, thanks a ton! So a pure percentage i.e. 45 degress = 50% gravity effect is wrong. Wow, that seems so counterintuitive to me. The Sine of the angle determines the effect of gravity... wow. So according to my calc at 45 degrees the effect of gravity is about 71%. I know you are right...

When an aircraft begins to nose up the effects of gravity begin to slow its velocity. By dividing 100% by 90 degrees you get the number 1.11. So for each 1 degree incline the force of gravity increases by 1.11%? So at 1 degree the force of gravity is 1.11% 45 degrees the force of...

Chanvincent :cry: dt=(M*dv)/(Fd+Fthrust) Fd+Fthrust = 0 at top speed. That makes sense because once the force of Thurst and Drag even out there is no longer any acceleration. But in F=Ma if F = 0 then a = 0 too. dt=(M*dv)/(Fd+Fthrust) = zero no matter what data is plugged in. I...

YOU ROCK! Ok, I got to go to bed but I'm going to start plugging in practice data tomorrow afternoon. Thank you so much, I could have never EVER done it without your help. It doesn't look too bad once it is finished but I was clueless. :yuck:

So dt=(M*dv)/(Fd+Fthrust) Did I solve that right? :bugeye:

Ok, awesome, I didn't spot the F=ma in that equation. So now that I have velocity over time on one side I can solve for time? That I can certainly do. One last tiny question on something I always screw up... my units. If I'm using Newtons for thrust, I should use Kilograms for Mass...

Thanks Chan Actually I understand basic calculus and derivatives. 3X^2 = 6x and all that stuff. dv/dt being acceleration makes sense, velocity over time. But what the heck is M in Ma? Mass, weight, something else completely? THANKS!

chanvincent YOU ROCK! This might sounds like a retarded question, but... I am not an expert. I don't totally understand the first line. Total Force = Force of drag + Force of thrust? = Mass? (Ma = Mass?) Second line I get because it is the drag equation + Force of thrust? = Mass...

Whooops... Hypothetically speaking the craft weighs 1000 Kg (if that is the right kind of units). If there is no obvious answer that is fine. If there is an available equation that is a decent enough test number.

Thanks xez and chanvincent, you guys rock! No easy answer? Dang! Ok maybe if I was more specific this would make more sense. I am talking about a theoretical aircraft with constant thrust. From the drag equation you can determine top speed Velocity(top...