Lake Sawyer Hawks

Spring is almost here — time to dust off your aircraft and get flying.

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Thrust/Drag Loads

(Propeller) These are somewhat uncertain due to the complexities of aerodynamic environments. The relative axial speed at the propeller (at any radial station) is the aircraft speed plus the amount the air in front of the blade is accelerated by the mechanics creating thrust. The latter may be approximated using first-order classical theory. Much empirical lift/drag data (from wind tunnel tests) exists to quantify lift/drag loads once relative velocity and angle of attack distributions are established.