How Can I Integrate Lift, Drag, Mass, and Gravity in Flight Physics Simulation?

[Gibbon]

Hi ,new here and have a question! :)

Hi all.. ok I am trying to teach my self the best way i can about flight physics. I am an avid avation fan and have been for a long time, i fly planes my self as well as RC planes / helicopters so I am not entirely new to them, but true physics of flight is not somthing you absolutly need to know in order to fly them! :)

So.. i am also a software programmer and i have written a small program to help me understand the formulas and so far I've got a "wing profile" that changes altitude from a result of lift only at the moment. (no gravity, mass or drag)

So.. I've now worked out drag and i have my drag value of the wing (that changes according to AoA, i also have my mass, and gravity.. but unfortunatly I've got myself very confused about how i put them all together (if possible).

I know there is a huge amount of factors so I am trying to keep it simple as i can while realistic. (its only for my personal plesure)

For instance, my lift so far only relies on the CL , velocity, AoA, Wing Area and Air Density.

Hope you can help.

Thanks
Andy

 

[Dale]

There are, in general, four forces acting on the plane. Lift, drag, thrust, and gravity. The vector sum of those forces is the net force. Then acceleration is given by F = m a.

 

[DocZaius]

I recently came across this site that goes into detail about the physics of flight, among other things (such as piloting).

Specifically this page could be helpful to you.
http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/airfoils.html