Aerobatic flight and the physics principles

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    Flight Physics
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the physics principles related to aerobatic flight, specifically focusing on the forces involved and how they differ from normal flight. Participants explore various maneuvers and the associated physical concepts, as well as the challenges of researching the topic for an assignment.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about what to research, suggesting a focus on centripetal force.
  • Another participant notes that the FAA defines aerobatic flight based on accelerations above 3.5g, implying that the physics principles may overlap with normal flight.
  • A suggestion is made to explain the forces involved in specific maneuvers, such as looping the loop.
  • Participants discuss various aerobatic maneuvers, including the True Snap Roll, Knife Edge Flight, and Vertical Hover, highlighting unique physical considerations for each.
  • Concerns are raised about the stability of aerobatic aircraft, noting that they often lack pitch or roll stability while maintaining yaw stability.
  • One participant mentions that aerobatic radio control helicopters may not be relevant to the assignment due to their unique flight capabilities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific focus of the assignment or the unique physics principles of aerobatic flight compared to normal flight. Multiple viewpoints and suggestions are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the assignment's requirements and the depth of physics concepts expected. There is also a lack of clarity regarding the definitions and distinctions between normal and aerobatic flight physics.

loz&
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hey! can anyone help me. i have this as a physics assignment and that is all the guidance the teacher gave me.

im not quite sure wat to research on this topic. i think she wants me to cover the stuff about centipetal force??

and i can't seem to find many good websites. besides heaps of aviation website which just detail how to do the manoeuvres!

help anyone?!?
 
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IIRC the FAA cutoff between normal utility category flight and aerobatic flight is accelerations above 3.5g.
Any particular maneuver may or may not be aerobatic depending on how you execute the maneuver.

I can't think of any physics principals that apply to aerobatic flight that are not covered in normal flight.

I think you are entitled to a better explanation of what they are looking for.
 
Maybe she just wants that you explain the forces involved in a looping the loop.
 
The physics principals for aerobatic flight would be the same as normal flight, with some "exceptions". Some examples:

True Snap Roll - It's possible to produce a very fast roll reaction with just "excessive" up elevator input (down could work as well, but would probably overstress the pilot or aircraft). I'll leave it to you to explain this. I've experienced this with radio control models. I'm not sure how many full scale aerobatic planes can handle the stress.

Knife edge flight - Wings are vertical, so the only lift come from the aircraft fuselage and any vertical components.

Vertical hover - all lift produced from prop. This can also result in a torque reaction roll during a hover or near hover.

Lack of pitch or roll stablity - most aerobatic aircraft are neutral or near neutral, with no pitch or roll stability. They still have yaw stability.

I'm assuming that aerobatic radio control helicopters are not part of this assignment, since those can "fly" sideways or backwards or upside down without issue, and pitch, roll, and yaw are virtually independent of direction traveled, as demonstrated in this video. The action starts at 25 seconds into the video. rcheli.wmv
 
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