Understanding Inverted Flight: The Science Behind Flying Upside Down

[dusty8683]

i recently asked how airplanes work and i was give this answer: as velocity increases pressure decreases and the shape of the wing makes it so that the wind travels over the top of the wing faster than the bottom of the wing. so since there's a faster velocity on the top there is a lesser pressure on the top causing it to rise. if that is the case, how do planes fly inverted?

 

[HallsofIvy]

Airplanes that fly at a very low speed and so require high "lift to speed" ratio have wing profiles in which the upper surface is noticably arched. Such an airplane would have an extremely difficult time flying upside down.

Airplanes that fly at high speeds have wings that are much more symetrical (with respect to top and bottom) and rely more on angle of attack (the angle the wing makes with the horizontal) to create the asymmetry necessary. Such an airplane can fly inverted by flying so that the wing is still at an upward angle to the horizontal.

 

[ray b]

you can get lift out of a flat piece of ply-wood the angle of attack is the trick
5 to15 degrees higher in the front leading edge depending on speed

actualy most stunt planes are lower speed
one common type stearmans are bi-planes.
flaps on the trailing edge are used in a reverced position on some stunt planes to gain extra lift