Ok so I know I can just look it up but I want the wisdom of the simpleplanes community to explain this to me, and when I get the answers I'll type em down each category, so here is what I want to know...
what is the difference between symmetric, semi-symetric, and flat bottom
Just give me a short crash course on it what it's all about as far as how it affects the flight if the plane and what is good about each.
symetric
I know it's good for aerobatics and when inverted helps with inverted flight. Low lift and drag.
semi-symetric
Medium amount of lift and drag
flat bottom
Higher lift with higher drag
@PapaKernels I see some other people have answered your question. But most people don’t understand the uses for each kind of wing. But ChiChiWerx did make a post about the wings a few years back. I can’t find it now, and his explanation was complicated, so:
Flat bottom creates the most lift and the most induced drag. This kind of airfoil has forgiving stall characteristics as well. Use this when low drag is not a priority, i.e. GA aircraft.
Symmetric creates the least lift and even requires positive AoA to do so. It does have the least induced drag at 0* AoA (duh, I mean, induced drag only exists when lift is created). Its stall characteristics also have totally, absolutely nothing to be desired. Induced drag can get high when the AoA is high (i.e. when a lot of lift is needed). This may be a bad thing, but some planes (like the Concorde) use it to their advantage as an alternative to spoilers. This type of airfoil is used almost exclusively for the supersonic bois, for which high lift and a high critical AoA is not desired, but low drag is the utmost priority.
Semi-symmetric takes the middle ground. It still creates a decent amount of lift at 0 AoA but still has less drag than the FB airfoil. Obviously, this type of wing is used for subsonic jets, which still fly fast (so they care about drag) but can still afford to (and sometimes need to) create some more lift.
By the way, I have flown the C172 a few times irl, and fly A320s a lot in flight simulators at home. The two planes use the FB and SS type airfoils respectively. Believe me, there is a big difference, although for the most part it is not experienced in SP. There are subtle differences that most do not notice.
Oh one more thing I have started the primarily sketch for a professional profile pic. I would put in a picture but because I have horrible internet I cant upload it to the site I use so you just have to take my word on it for now. I've been trying for about 20 minutes now.
I guess there is no way to favorite
@xboxseriesx I dont care do what you want man!
Can I favorite this so i dont forget also how
@FeiWu yep its alot of info that I couldn't transcribe very easily so better pin it
@PapaKernels thanks for pin btw
@PapaKernels @tsampoy AoA is “Angle of Attack”
@FeiWu wow that is pretty good info thanks!
@PapaKernels Angle of Attack I’m pretty sure
@edensk ok what is AoA and thanks for the info.
made by JamesplanesII
Basically, Flat bottom and semi-symmetric create lift even at 0 degrees AoA, while symmetric needs positive AoA to produce it. Flat bottom creates more drag than s-s, which is more draggy than symmetric. flat bottom has a higher critical AoA than s-s, which has a higher critical AoA than symmetric... and so on
nacaprop can only be used through overload and is the airfoil the props in the game use
@FeiWu can you help I know you have more knowledge than me.
@PapaKernels nope
have no clue tf this is personally
@WiiWiiTheMini
Can ye help?